It’s that time again. Smart Service is competing for the Best of Western Washington honors. Your votes in the past have helped us win in 2009 and recieve runner up in 2010. Please vote for us if you can find the time. It’s greatly appreciated by all of us at Smart Service and it really helps get the word out about our quality.
Thank you!
Svjetlana Nikic
September 1, 2011I hawed Subaru Forester 2002 have 74000 mil. Have problem for Leaking head gaskets. Can you send me information for Recall do you including this car. Thanks.
Mike Corbin
September 1, 2011Hello,
The first thing you should do is to call your local Subaru dealer and have them check your VIN number in their data base to see if the recall applies to your Subaru. If it does then it does stipulate that the head gaskets will be warrantied for 8 years or 100000 miles, whichever comes first so unfortunately, it would still be out based on time. From there you may want to call 1-800-SUBARU3 and explain your situation. Sometimes Subaru will step in and help if the car has been serviced properly and has such low mileage on it.
Good luck,
Mike Corbin
Smart Service
Independent Subaru Expert
Jeff
September 1, 2011Hi Mike,
My commute changed drastically about a year and a half ago, and now rather than driving my ’05 STi 11,000 miles/year, it’s getting closer to 1,200 (1.3 miles to/from a park-and-ride and taking a bus downtown yields only ~600 miles/year). My questions are:
Given my typical drive distance (at least to/from work), should I consider switching to a 0w30 instead of 5w30 synthetic oil (knowing that I should change it for something a little higher if I decide to do a track day or something)?
Is there maintenance that is typically scheduled as distance-interval-based that I should get done on a time-interval basis instead? Cracked rubber/plastic/seals/etc…?
Thanks!
-Jeff
p.s. Smart Service now has my vote for 3 years running; you guys have always treated me right when I’ve taken my car in.
Mike Corbin
September 1, 2011Hi Jeff,
I’m glad to hear your commute has become better! I think 5/30 synthetic is perfect for your use even if it has a track day from time to time. If it becomes a regular track car, 20/40 or 20/50 synthetic would be preferred.
One thing you need to do is to schedule times where you can get the car out and stretch it’s legs for 20-30 miles or more. Once a week would be optimal but not always possible.
I think on your oil changes, I’d do one at a minimum of once a year with the mileage you put on and maybe even once every 6 months. As far as the major 15k/30k etc you can also use months like 30 months or 30000 miles, whichever comes first (although you can even stretch it out a bit more if you are still putting so little mileage on it).
Take care and thanks for the vote!
Mike