It is required for warranty be it distance or time based over here. At least you get 12K miles over there; we get just 12.5K kilometres (7.8K miles) which is a blatant rip-off! Timing belts used to be at 100K kilometers / 60K miles yet another rip-off; even now at 125K kilometres (I think) still a rip-off.

 

At least you get 12K miles over there; we get just 12.5K kilometres (7.8K miles) which is a blatant rip-off! Timing belts used to be at 100K kilometers / 60K miles yet another rip-off; even now at 125K kilometres (I think) still a rip-off.

My theory - Somebody screwed up the metric conversion, and Subaru is too embarrassed to admit it.

"Hey, what's our number?"

"100"

"Got it."

But back to the basic question - The answer is that getting it done preserves the warranty. Good insurance.

 

12k. Oil + filter. Rotate tires if needed.

 

Waste of $25.....dealer hit me up with the cabin air filter, and I wasn’t expecting that...$50 total.

I‘ll do the engine filter myself...another $50. They both seem simple now.

Air filter was filthy, which was surprising for highway driving.

 

Sorry to hear you got ripped off. Cabin air filter is easy to check yourself...

 

Rip off. Rotate tires every 8 to 10 K miles

 

I just completed my 2020 Forester 6K/12mo scheduled maintenance. Was caught off guard on check/inspect rear differential fluid? I believe it's to be checked every 12k miles (don't have maint. schedule in front of me).

 

I suspect checking the rear diff fluid happens about as frequently as so-called examinations of spark plugs or O2 sensors, namely it does not happen. I am of the school that you should change the oil at least every six months and ideally every 3000 miles for long-term engine health.

 

Quite often, dealership service department fluid inspections translate into looking to see if there are visible fluid leaks, and nothing more, with the assumption that no visible leak translates into the fluid level being acceptable.

As for spark plug/sensor checks, those probably translate into verifying the engine has them installed... nothing more. If you’re going to inspect them, you might as well replace them at the same time, from a “cost of labor/effort” perspective .

 

@2020sportbuyer
A point not yet mentioned. To keep your warranty valid, NONE of the maintenance need be performed by the dealer, and that is by statute in the USA.
Much of what they overcharge you for can be done simply yourself, or less expensive elsewhere.
e.g. If you buy tires at Discount Tire, tire rotations are free.
A dealer must be employed for most (all?) free warranty work, but other than that, you can chose anyone, including yourself, to maintain your car.

 

Keep good records.

 

I remember the 'good' 'ol days of 1,000 mile service intervals.

 

I love how some people assume that Subaru messed up by having shorter service intervals in metric countries. What if the error is the reverse and they messed up with the longer intervals in the US?
Would you rather buy a used Forester in 10 years with 120,000 miles on it that had 10 oil changes in its lifetime, or one that had at least 20?
Long service intervals, may appear to save money on maintenance, but may well have the effect of meaning larger engine repair bills in the future. I think the same can be said for CVT transmission fluid changes.

 

So time for my 24K recommended service.....anyone have any tips of what to do, what to skip?

Thanks

 

check your manual vs what the dealer recommend service is. dealers often pad additional service to bring up the price. you only need to do what's specified in the owners manual unless you want them doing more.

 

Yes. Dealerships love doing simple, high markup services, such as engine/cabin air filter replacements… “We couldn’t help but notice that…” things of that nature…

Not all dealerships do it, but I’ve seen more than one that I think you could have the air filters changed, drive around the block, come back and then have the service rep tell you they needed changing again.

 

That warranty and service booklet online is difficult to track down...I found this....

 

If you look at the required maintenance list, most (all?) of the same inspections are also done for free with an oil change.
Get an oil change with the free "safety" check, change the engine and cabin filters yourself (10 minute job).
A place like Discount tire does tire rotations for free (after you replace the crappy OEM tires) and get your brake fluid replaced at any brake shop if you aren't inclined to do that yourself. For the 30K service, it cost me way under $100 vs the $800 the dealer charges, but then I also changed out the power steering and transmission fluids, also a piece of cake, that doesn't apply to the latest Fozes.. .
In any case,... Effect on your warranty:
Nil.
Impact on your wallet:
Fatter.

 

I have lifetime oil changes through the dealership I purchased from. Went in for 30K service last week and paid $19.95 I think...tire rotation because I didn’t feel like going to Discount Tire afterwards.

29.8K miles in a year and the only thing they were going to flush (brake fluid) looked almost new and they recommended not to do it. Everything else was inspected and signed off on by the tech.

I do the engine & cabin air filter myself every 15K miles.

I also keep a binder of all dealer visits, tire rotations, etc. in the back pocket of the passenger seat so there won’t be any issues should I have a warranty claim (100K Gold Plus). Also gives me a place to keep registration/insurance info so everything’s handy if I get pulled over. I might be a little anal about it but that’s how I’ve been with every car so far and it takes little to no time to keep up with.