52,000 Kilometers

 I have put some mileage on the Red Mist. I have put an average of 92 KMs per day on this car. The two trips to each coast racked up the mileage, and she's been a good girl the whole time, putting up with me and accepting my inability to avoid potholes with grace and patience.

While I wait for the service at Stratford Subaru, I will pen some thoughts.

Some thoughts:

Infotainment System

At first, it was slow, and it was irritating to make a selection and then drive 100 kms before it would respond. This is an exaggeration of course, but in today's world, with dozens of interactions on technology devices offering instant gratification, it was concerning.

But I am happy to report that the infotainment system seems to have matured, where the delay appears to have disappeared. It runs smoothly and responds well.

I am pleased that the (I think 2) software updates I have applied have resulted in this outcome.

The soft touch controls are fine, but in the winter, it necessitates the removal of your gloves/mitts to operate, and the position of it below the cowl of the dashboard causes a driver to "heads down" a bit too much.

I think there is a move back to tactile controls, and the ones Subaru offers, such as temperature adjustment and defrost (front and rear window) are much appreciated.

The only pet peeve I have is that the Android Auto voice command goes awry from time to time, with "Google" unresponsive for no apparent reason for the entire drive. Usually, if you stop and restart the car in the normal course of use, Google comes back.

I find the inflection in my choice of voice on Google eerie, and sometimes it sounds like she is mocking me as I use voice recognition for texting while I drive.

This function I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It can send texts to people in your contacts and read them back. It has a character limitation, and sometimes the voice recognition shits the bed and wants to render some bizarre iteration of your intended message.

Snow Tire and Wheel Combination

This is on me. I did this. Don't you do this.

I kept the same rim size, 18 inches, and tire size.

I should have got 17 inch rims and tires to increase the wheel well clearance. My current setup gets PACKED with snow and slush, and you can hear rubbing on some bumps and when making a tight turn.

I also think the width of the tire affects the traction negatively compared to a thinner tire.

Climate Control System (Winter)

It works GREAT...

Except that it does not regulate the heat. Bear with me on this. Set the temp to 25 degrees Celsius. She'll warm up and distribute the heat perfectly. But it will get warm. Turn down the temp to 20 degrees C., and it will stay warm. Too warm. I have found that once the cabin is toasty, putting the temperature to 18 degrees C seems to set the heated air to the place I am comfortable with. It feels like the temperature does not vary to the expected selection.

It is a small quibble, and I need to investigate this.

Subaru Auto-Start

I wish I could turn this off. I have no practical use for this.

There are 3rd party solutions that can resolve this, and I am considering this as a solution to an irritant that had no practical value to me.

My main objections are...

- It is my car, and if I don't want it, I should be able to disable it, without resorting to 3rd party solutions.

- I do not like the hestitation if creates when accelerating from a stop. There are times this delay could be detrimental to the safety of the driver and passengers.

- It increases wear on the starter, battery, and engine for a very small incremental increase in fuel mileage and the return on investment of the fuel savings compared to changing a combination of battery and starter and the increase in engine wear over the life of the car.

Other than these items, the Red Mist is a fantastic car. I am more than pleased with her and look forward to driving her every day.

What adventures are in store for us in the coming year?

Oil Change and a Bath

Sports Fans!

It has been a bit since I posted. I have a draft post relating my trip in May to BC and back, but I thought I would bring you up to date with what has been going on recently...

Bought on 26 July 2025, the Red Mist has travelled to the Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswich, Nova Scotia, Ontario (home province), Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. She has long, wonderful legs with her long range and comfortable seats and excellent ventilation and climate control. She has be absolutely reliable and a real joy to drive.

In my quest to keep the Mist in tip-top shape, I double-down on the oil changes. The major service intervals are done my Stratford Subaru and the intervening oil changes are done by my trusty independent service providers, Elgin Auto Sales and Service. I use IDEMITSU IFG5 (part no.  IDM 30013013953) oil and an OEM Part no. 15208AA21A filter.

The oil change went off without a hitch, and in celebration I took the Mist through a touchless wash and "dressed" her up a bit. I normally would do a manual wash but lack of time and the heat of the day did not allow that wonderful ritual to occur.

She is looking good for 36,600 kms. Some small paint chips on the hood and on the front fascia, but, all in all, she is weathering the tribulations of living in a climate where winter is harsh and the roads are salted and sanded.

Note that there is a new IFG7 oil availabe for Idemitsu using the part numbers 30015132-95300C020 for 5 quarts and 30015132-75000C020 for 1 quart. It does not seem to be in general distribution yet. But when it becomes available I will start using this oil, as it is the higher standard.

It always feels like a car with a new oil change just runs better!

Well, Sports Fans, drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!

Oh, Sweet Lubricants for Thee

 Sports Fans!

NEW BLOG POST FOLLOW-UP.

Stratford Subaru completed my first "A" Service yesterday and it went off without a hitch.

It was interesting to note how involved the Service Manager was in the shop supervising and assisting (i hope) his mechanics.

I believe it was Jordan Medd who did the work and I think he may have had a bit of trouble with my Billetworks oil cap as it does screw on a bit tighter than the OEM cap.

I brought in my own oil, which they were really cool about, as I want to use what I understand to be the OEM oil used at the factory. For reference Sports Fans, it is Idemitsu Full Synthetic Engine Oil 0W16 5qt Part # IDM 30013013953 and costs $73.00 before taxes from NAPA.

I had washed the Mist the night before so they said there is no point washing her as my work was better than their courtesy wash. When you get a service at Stratford Subaru they wash your car for you.

The service involves:

• Replace engine oil and filter

• Inspect tire condition and adjust all tire pressures

 including spare

• Inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both differentials

• Inspect operation of all lights, wipers and washers

• Inspect and adjust drive belt tension if necessary

• Service battery

• Inspect axle boot condition

• Lubricate all latches, hinges and locks

• Inspect all steering and suspension components

• Check under body for damage

• Road test

The great thing with the oil container is it is exactly the amount needed for the change with filter so the oil is at the proper level.

A lot of fast lube shops overfill which causes oil cavitation on a wet sump system which can lead to several problems that are not good for the life of your engine.

After the service, I went to Canadian Tire and bought a car duster and Meguiar's Quick Detailer and did a detail when I got home. It works well and is now part of my care appearance regime.

Other tools for car care where acquired but more on that later Sports Fans!

I think she is looking pretty good.

Enjoy your weekend Sports Fans!

Drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!

Milestone: "A" Service for the Mist

 Hello, Sports fans!

First Service

With just over 8,000 km I figured I would go in early to get the service done. After that I will do oil changes at 5,000 km intervals between the services the Subaru dealer does. Oil is cheap compared to an engine and I think that a lot of maintenance intervals are based on the manufacturers trying to keep the appearance of maintenance costs down. Extended pour points of full-synthetic oil is all well and good but with the low-tension rings engines use the oil gets more contaminants than with high-tension rings.

Plus, when I had my 1988 Toyota Corolla I was an aircraft mechanic and I did oil changes every 5,000 km and that car's engine was mint when I sold it. It ran like a V8!

In anticipation of the Red Mist's first service appointment, I decided to head to a local self-car wash and gussy her up.

After about an hour of work, she looked so much better. I would have put a stronger effort into this, but its been a full day at work and with nightfall coming earlier it gets too dark to do any accurate detailing.

At least she is washed and relatively clean so the dealer gets an idea of how much I think of her. Did the full exterior and then all the door sills and hardware as well as a wipe down of the engine bay and interior of the hood. Dressed the wheels after detailing the mags.

She looks good and I will do a tidying of the interior tomorrow in the light of day.

Just hope it does not rain tonight.

Winter Wheels and Tires

I talked to my local service guys who are amazing and I am going to source a set of  Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 or Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA R5 winter tires.

I had attended an owner's seminar hosted by Stratford Subaru given by The Car Lady. Great overview of the features of the Subaru line given with enthusiasm and her knowledge is complete. She knows her stuff and was an automotive mechanic. She has a presence at Instagram (thecarladycanada) and Twitter (CarLadyCanada) as well as a website at www.thecarlady.ca.

She shared with us that we should be sure to get hub-centric rims as this type of rim is a better fit for tire installation on a Subaru than a lug-centric design. I had no idea about this and as I am in the market for new tires and rims for the winter this was key information I will be sure to pass on to or check with my mechanics.

Edited to add: I called my guys today. The totally only install hub centric rims!

Here is an article that helps us understand the difference.

Christine has a powerful wish to share automotive knowledge and she does it so very well.

Thanks, Christine!

As to the tires, my last car had Blizzak All Weathers and they do not require change over. With the milder wintes the Bridgestone Blizzak WeatherPeak is a great solution for those who do not have the ability to store tires or simply want to negate the twice-yearly visits to the dealer or shop for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer change over.

The WeatherPeaks were amazing and very good in rain and pooling water. Road noise was minimal for such an aggressive tread and softer rubber compound.

In fact, my guys in Cambridge are recommending and selling them based on my experience. They had never sold this type of tire before.

Why winters for the Mist after all this great experience with the WeatherPeaks Spots Fans?

Simply, I have a fresh set of all-seasons and can get tire storage at Elgin Auto Sales and Service so running winters is now an option.

If you need an independent repair place these guys are gold in my book!

So, now I have a clean car, a fresh oil change and a focus to get the right parts for my car's tires I can be confident the Mist will give good service until the "B" service.

Sports fans, I hope you all well.

Drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!