TTiimm's 2015 Forester XT Touring

POST INDEX

SHOP NOTES
Updated 30-Apr-23

Vehicle
Tire & Wheel Specs

Alignment Specs
Service Parts, Fluids, Lubricants & Sealants


Technical Service Bulletins & Recalls
Serpentine Belt Routing


Tire Rotation

ECU Reset Procedure

1. Ensure that the engine is cold.
2. Ensure that all accessories, lights, air conditioning or anything that can draw power are off.
3. Remove and replace negative battery terminal.
4. Do not start the car. Press the start button twice without pressing the brake so that the indicator lights show and dial sweep occurs.
5. Wait at least 20 seconds for the throttle blade to calibrate. There will be clicks and whirl sounds - this is normal.
6. Start Engine, Let idle to operating temp (10-15 mins) until radiator fan cycles twice (important step).
7. Shut off the engine, wait 10-15 seconds, restart. ECU reset is complete.

• Perform power window initialization and set date/time as per owner's manual.
• The car will feel sluggish and the gas pedal will feel dead subsequent to ECU reset. This is expected. Pedal response should return to normal after approximately 10 to 15 miles.

Power Windows Initialization Procedure

1. Close driver's door.
2. Turn ignition on. Do not start the car. Press the start button twice without pressing the brake so that the indicator lights show and dial sweep occurs.
3. Open the driver's side window half way by pushing down the power window switch.
4. Close the driver's side windows completely by pulling up the power windows switch. Continue to pull the switch for 1 second after the window is completely closed.
5. Open the driver's side window completely by fully pushing the power windows switch. Power window initialization is complete.

Fasteners & Torque Specs



Bulbs

Stuff I Find Interesting

Aerodynamics

• Aerodynamics, Simulations and the Tesla Model S (Discussion of basic aerodynamic principals)
• Competition Car Aerodynamics by Simon McBeath (book)
• Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (PDF Book)
• Nelson Phillips (youtube channel) - videos by a a bonafide aerodynamicist
• Wind Power (Porsche Cayenne Adaptive Aerodynamics and Active Roof Spoiler)

Body & Exterior

• 3M VHB Tape Surface Preparation and Installation by 3M Corporation (Youtube)
• How to: Morimoto XT fog light install on 2014 Forester XT Premium (SubaruForester.org)
• How to: Remove the Rear Bumper (PDF)
• How to: Remove and Replace a Passenger Lower Border Cowl Trim Molding - 2015 Subaru Forester (youtube)
• Wind Power (Porsche Cayenne Adaptive Aerodynamics and Active Roof Spoiler)

Drivetrain

• Danoz Fix for FA20DIT Turbo Clamps (SubaruForester.org)
• DW65c Fuel Pump step-by-step install (NASIOC) - Specific to the DW65c high volume fuel pump in a WRX but the general procedures are applicable to any fuel pump in a SJ Forester.
• Front & Rear Differential Oil Change - XT with CVT (SubaruForester.org)
• How to Read WRX CVT Transmission Temperature with OBDLink LX (youtube)
• Mishimoto CVT Cooler Install w/ Thermostat in WRX CVT - COMPLETE GUIDE (Youtube)

• NASIOC Oil Selection Guide - Eight years out it is somewhat dated but extremely interesting when I first got my car in 2016.
• WRX CVT Transmission Cooler Upgrade: Everything You Should Know (youtube)

Exhaust

• Stock 2018 Subaru Forester XT with Nameless Catback 5" Muffler Sound (youtube)

Suspension and Handling

• DIY Alignment @ ClubWRX.com: Not that you are going to do your own home alignment but it explains the basics of caster, camber, toe and thrust angle, how they are measured and what parts to adjust to get a car into alignment. This is a good resource if you don't know anything about alignment.
• How to Grease Your Adjustable Control Arms // ISC Suspensions (youtube)

Maintenance

All maintenance done by myself unless otherwise noted
Last updated 01-Mar-2023

25-Apr-2016 @ 40,111 miles

3-May-2016 @ 40,409 miles

13-May-2016 @ 40,940 miles

10-Jul-2016 @ 44,575 miles

29-Dec-2016 @ 50,251 miles
24-Jun-2017 @ 54,575 miles
25-Oct-2017 @ 58,150 miles
11-Jan-2018 @ 60,001 miles
29-May-2018 @ 64,121 miles
24-Aug-2018 @ 65,887 miles
12-Dec-2018 @ 68,026 miles
Feb-2019
15-Apr-2019 @ ~73,000 miles
- Oil change, filter
17-Jul-2019 @ 75,443 miles
~80,000 miles

~85,000 miles
~87,500 miles

~90,000 miles

~95,000 miles
~100,000 miles

12-Aug-22 @ 106,028 miles
24- Aug-22 @ 106,673 miles

25-Aug-2022 @ 106,758 miles
31-Aug-2022 @ 107,152 miles
4-Sep-2022 @ 107,486 miles
9-Sep-2022 @ 107,724 miles

19-Sep-2022 @ 108,513 miles

23-Sept-2022 @ 108,991 miles
13-Oct-2022 @ 110,465 miles
20-Oct-2022 @ 110,838 miles
09-Nov-2022 @ 111,888 miles
18-Jan-2023 @ 112,300 miles
26-Jan-2023 @ 112,465 miles
13-Feb-2023 @113,688 miles
01-Mar-2023 @ 114,718
30-Mar-2023 @ 116,214 miles
12-Apr-2023 @ 117,039 miles
13-Apr-2023 @ 117,105 miles
15-Apr-2023 @ 117,197 miles
24-Apr-2023 @ 117,818 miles
25-Apr-2023 @ 117,865 miles
29-Apr-2023
Next Services

Torque Solution Master Cylinder Brace

Purchased from SubiSpeed.com
$94.02 after 10% new customer discount, taxes and shipping.







Impressions

The product did not come with instructions but Installation was straightforward. It is visually similar to the Cusco product and installation is identical. There are lots of video's on youtube including this one from SubiSpeed.com.

A 1/4" drive 10 mm socket with and without 2" extension were used for the five mounting bolts. The brace bolt and flange nut require 13 mm socket and wrench respectively. A bit of blue Loctite was used so that the flange nut doesn't back off.

The red anodized disk is not attached to the bolt but has a projection in the rear which accepts the end of the bolt. I'm sorry I didn't get a clearer photo. Getting the disk lined up with the bolt using one hand and tightening the bolt with the other hand required some dexterity.

A firmer pedal was immediately noticeable and especially appreciated when stopping hard. This is a nice little mod and for me, it was worth the money and time.

Debadge & Bumper Protector Delete

This was tedious but not difficult. Dental floss, alcohol/rag and patience are all that's required.

Still dealing with a bit of oxidized paint where the bumper protector sat.

STI Door Cup Protectors

Scratches in the door cups look especially egregious on satin white pearl.

After cleaning with alcohol...

You only get one chance to put these on straight.

Differential Service
107,486 miles

It feels more secure to jack the car onto ramps rather than using jackstands.



Not sure how much metal on the magnet is normal.

Collapsible squeeze bottles made it easy to push the lube through a hose and up to the fill plug.

The drain pan had some gunk in it before I started and the color of the fluid in the pan doesn't represent how it looked when it came out of the car. It was actually very clear.


The front is a little more involved. Finding the right gaskets for the front fill and drain plugs and not pouring gear lube all over the front axles when filling are the biggest challenges.

Reference: How To - Front & Rear Differential Oil Change - XT with CVT

STi Style Rear Bumper Stripe | Carbon Fiber License Plate Frame | Rear Emblem

Hip new emblems were delivered. All the cool subie kids have red on black emblems. Getting the rear emblem off without scratching the paint was a challenge. Blue painter's tape was used to protect the paint and a plastic putty knife was used to get under it. Just rip it off once it begins to lift.

The dealer's faux chrome license plate frame was replaced with logo-free carbon fiber. This is real carbon fiber - epoxy impregnated carbon prepeg. It isn't wrapped or skinned plastic. Sorry, I have a fetish for real, structural carbon fiber and a visceral hatred of the faux impersonations.

An STi style rear bumper stripe was applied.

STi Style Grille | Front Emblem

I'm extremely happy with the way this turned out. It looks like a completely different vehicle.

Replacing a Forester grille is much more complex than doing the same on a '71 Chevelle. Having said that, it took approximately 2.5 hours to brew coffee, watch a couple of how-to videos, remove the factory parts, clean, install new parts, wax, etc.

Pro Tip: Using a screwdriver to pry the upper grille away from the hood WILL break the grille. If you want to save the old upper grille then watch the youtube videos and make careful note of the location of the clips. Don't use a screwdriver. Buy an inexpensive trim removal tool.

Technical References:

Riyadh said:

Nice one. I tried that instructions to remove the grill as I also want to make mine black, but I just cannot get the lower clips loose.

Click to expand...

Yep, exactly. I spent about ten or fifteen minutes gently trying to get the four clips loose. No matter how I pressed or squeezed them they wouldn't budge.

Eventually I just pulled on the lower grille with a bit of force and and it popped out.

If it helps, two photos are attached showing the location of the clips and what the clip actually looks like.

Obviously there are two other clips on the opposite side.

I hope all is well in Capetown!

Vanity Plate