2006 2.5X NA, 152,000 miles. Don't really know maintenance history other than what was on the car fax when I purchased last month. This is my first Subaru and first ever 4 cylinder car.
Question: Is 2600 rpm at 65 mph normal for this car. It seems high and sounds like the car is really screaming. Fuel flow sucks. Average outside temp is around 16 degrees F.
Thanks,
That's the normal RPM for my XT. Subarus are noisy - live with it. For 2005 and prior years, the RPMs were about 200 higher!
Much of the maintenance history is not critical, because you're going to start doing it right (and keeping records). It would be nice to know what was done at the 105k timing belt replacement. Just the belt? Belt plus tensioners? Maybe the water or oil pump? The timing belt is usually not the part that fails first. Rather, a tensioner or water pump bearing freezes and the belt is the part that takes the punishment. But dealers frequently do not replace these parts - sort of a false economy.
If you know the previous owner, you might be able to get these details from him/her. Or, if you know the geographic area where the vehicle was located, try calling around to dealer's service departments (have your VIN number handy). This service on a Subaru is frequently done at a dealer. If they can locate the vehicle in their records, they will usually tell you the details of what happened at 105K.