Pre-Trip Fluids

Hello Sports Fans!

A quick trip to Elgin Auto Sales and Service for the following:

Oil and Filter Change.

Front and rear differential fluid change.

Installation of Fumoto F108S FS-Series Drain Valve with Short Nippple with Lever Clip, Bronze, 16mm-1.5.

I do my oil and filter changes every 5,000 kms and recently changed from Idemitsu IFG6 standard oil (0w-16) to Liquid Moly IFG7 standard oil (0W-20). The Red Mist will be heading east for a major road trip and the timing could not be better for an oil change, just before my departure in early September. OEM filter was changed as well.

The front and rear differential oil specification, per the manual, is API classificaiton GL-5 with a viscosity of 75W-90. There is no stated replacement interval in the 2024 Owner's Impreza manual, save that it says that the fluid may need,

"Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle

under hard-driving conditions such as

steep hills or dusty roads will necessitate

more frequent replacement of the

following items than that specified in the

“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.

and...

"It is not necessary to check the gear oil

level. Check that there are no cracks,

damage or leakage. However, the oil

inspection should be performed according

to the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty

and Maintenance Booklet”. Consult

your SUBARU dealer for details."

The Warranty and Maintenance does recommend replacing this fluid every "D" service which occurs every 60 months of 100,000 kms.

This service occured at 65,400 kms, so the Red Mist is getting some extra care. Fresh and frequent fluid changes are the cheapest, most effective way to prolong engine and drivetrain life.

For the differential change the Red Mist went for MOTUL GEAR 300 75W-90 from Subie Supply Co.. I ordered 3 litres to cover the capacity needed for the front and rear differentials and the price was really good as I got it for about $20.00 less than the current price at NAPA.

Elgin also installed my Fumoto F108S drain valve to ease the oil change process in the future. This was aquired through Amazon.ca and the primary value is ease of maintenance. Sure, I save on oil drain plug crush washers, but the ROI at approximately $2.00 is about 25 oil changes.

Last, I decided to replace my cheap, formally black (now an odd bronze colour) tire valve stem caps with a set of Fifteen52 Valve Stem Cap Set - Red - 4 Pieces (SKU: FFT52-VALVE-PACK-RED) as a simple cosmetic upgrade.

Of note, I think the Red Mist runs better on the thicker viscosity oil. I have had not needed to add oil between this last oil change. There was a minimal amount of oil consumption and the oil was mildly discoloured.

So, the Red Mist is ready for the next travel adventure!

Remember to keep the rubber on the right side of your vehicle. Drive safely and practice the Subaru Salute.

The Red Mist is Violated... Oh, and Some Bling

 HELLO CAMPERS!

I'll start with the nasty bit and show you the bling later.

The Nasty Bit

Today I had an errand to do in London. It was a foggy drive, but the Red Mist dutifully let the miles (or kilometers in Canada) fall away for the 1-hour drive to my destination.

I did my chore and needed to be in the area for a bit, so I pulled into a location close to where I completed my errand and settled down for a drink in a fast food establishment.

Now, Sports Fans, I take great pride in owning the Mist. I wash her at least once a week, sometimes more.

And I try to park tactically to minimize contact with errant drivers who do not know or care about car etiquette and the importance of not knocking the shit out of another car's bodywork.

Earlier, I had a young boy knock the driver's side mirror out of the sideview mirror housing which caused s minor scratch, BUT now the mirror jiggles and vibrates a bit. Not super noticeable, but very irritatiing when I notice and think on it.

The Mist has some minor paint chips (2) and the bumper has some as well from road debris.

Yes, Sports Fans, it is normal wear and tear.

Today, fate would have it that my efforts to preserve the Mist went for naught.

As I approached my car a man putting in metal sign posts seemed a bit nervous and just as I started my car he approached and confessed to having damaged my car.

Its interesitng... IF someone owns up to their shit, I handle it calmly. This was such a case. I mean, I know, really, really know how he felt and he was direct with no excuses and stated he would pay for the repairs. I offered to get two quotes and he declined as one of the body shops is in a different town from where I live. He was actively encouraging me to take the least onerous route to get my car fixed.

As you can see, the damage is not significant. It is on the right front of the hood, But it will still cost between $1,000 and $2,000 CDN to repair and take 3 days. The main issue is not the damage, as much as the cost of the labour. They will have to take the bumper fascia off to fix the plastic that has been deformed, and the paint may need to be blended with the hood and the right front quarter panel so that the paint job looks correct.

So, I am awaiting a quote and the shop I went to can fit me in sometime in November. They look really professional and the shop is clean and well organized.

The Bling

Are you a XENALVR? Perhaps entirely comfortable with your orientation? If so, Subaru is for you!

Playing on that, I got a custom decal made and installed it in the engine bay.

Sports Fans, I hope you like it...

Remember to keep the rubber on the right side of your vehicle. Drive safe and practice the Subaru Salute.

Interior Bling for the Mist

 Good Day, Sports Fans!

The interior of the Impreza is upgraded from the Touring with power seats with grey patterned cloth with red accents. The buttons and knobs for the car and basic black plastic with some having a "chrome" accent, such as the radio ON/OFF knob, Tuning knob, and the bezel of the Start button.

With the red exterior paint, the Mist needed some additional additions to the interior to connect it thematically with the overall treatment of the interior cloth seats.

In response to this I purchased from Amazon a set of  LOCOY Center Console Knob Covers; LOCOY Center Console Armrest Cover; and ‎MOCHENT Cup Holder Inserts Liners for the interior of the Mist.

Images for Amazon.

Images for Amazon.

Images for Amazon.

The overall quality of the items was good and the following are notes related to the installation...

‎MOCHENT Cup Holder Inserts Liners

The liners are straightforward to install. Just match the shapes with the proper location on the car and way you go. Good build quality and fitment was good except for the large rectangle placed at the bottom of the console cubby. It was not quite the right size being slightly smaller than the actual shape of the console. A minor quibble as no one is going to see it.

LOCOY Center Console Knob Covers

These were easy to install.

Note that placing the red ring around the Start Button needs to be slightly off-center for me. When I first installed it, from my seating position, I could still see the chrome ring. I had not pressed it on hard so was able to shift it up. Take care when separating the cover for the tape. I needed to use the tip of my knife to separate the paper protecting the tape and the adhesive for the red starter ring cover appears delicate.

The knobs for the radio controls slip on with some interference. It did not damage the knobs but I do not think I will be ever able to take them off.

The knob for the side-view mirrors needed the thin tape provided. I measure out a piece 3/4 the diameter of the knob, taped the tape to the knob and slipped the knob over the tape. It was tight and with a bit of rocking, I got the new knob to seat properly.

The thin tape is used to firmly set the knob on the side-view mirror control.

It's not coming off either!

LOCOY Center Console Armrest Cover

This slips on with moderate effort. Plan out before had your positioning of the cover before you put it on the console if you bias the cover to the rear or to one side you will have to start over. It does not interfere with the lid locking and looks OK. I prefer the feel of the OEM material on my arm but I wanted to protect the arm as I am resting it on the rest almost all the time (as opposed to my Accent, where the armrest was too low).

Will the wrinkles be problematic?!?

As can be witnessed by the photos the material still has wrinkles. Not a deal breaker for me and we will see Sports Fans if over time the wrinkles disappear.

Overall Impressions

Knobs: 9/10. Why the fit for the radio knob is spot on and the mirror know not so much? Comments as to why there is no ring for the Trip Reset button are well-founded. Would be nice to complete the set with this additional piece.

Cup Holder Inserts: 9/10. I really like the red piping and the coverage which adds to the protection of the cubbies and cup holders. All the pieces fit perfectly save the one in the Center Console cubby.

Center Console Armrest Cover: Provisional 7/10. A better fitment on installation would add confidence to the use of this product. I will revisit these accories updating you on their durability and service in the future.

Well Sports Fans, for about a Benjamin you can get some nice accessories that personalize your Subie and add some bling to your pride and joy.

Drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!