Proud owner of a 2001 Outback

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:41 pm

I just got back from Wyong, Central coast NSW (a 5 hour drive each way)

I bought a 2001 Outback 2.5 Luxury for $10,100

Its auto, has electric everything, leather seats and is a pretty red colour

It also has a nudge bar for mounting extra lights

I was utterly impressed with how it drove on the way home, its so smooth, quiet and refined compared to my old L

My only questions so far are,.... what tyre presures do you run? (the book says 28, but it feels very soft)
...and the rubber case around my key, has expanded and is falling to pieces, can i replace it?

Photos to come tomorrow

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:45 pm

About time!

subarooster · Post by **subarooster** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:52 pm

haha so how long have you been home... 10 - 15 mintes? haha it is a great car btw.

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:59 pm

I always found 28psi too soft as well. Try 32 and see how it feels. I've gone up to 48 with a load in it.
Once you get decent offroad tyres you can run lower pressures again.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:14 pm

I'm running outback tyres on mine and i'm on 46psi. I find 46psi comfortable for me. 28psi is too soft and i can feel it... i just dislike that psi.. 46 is enough for me.
Cheers
AP

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:11 am

I'd stick to 32-34 for daily driving, maybe up to 36 for highway cruising on long trips to save some fuel.

Anything over that and you will wear out the centre of your tyres. AP i'd be suprised if yours aren't doing that, 46 psi is heaps...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:50 am

Have you got any recommendations for tyres? Im looking for road tyres that have good all round grip for dry, wet & uneven road surfaces (my daily route has a lot of potholes and patches) Im willing to spend $150 a corner, maybe more.

Currently there are Turenza somethings on the front, a Pirelli and a Geolander on the rear.

Cheers

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:36 pm

Yokie C-Drives are teh shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Subyroo · Post by **Subyroo** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:36 pm

I'm using Michelin Energy XM1's (2nd set) on my 03 Forester good grip in both wet and dry conditions.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:29 pm

Thanks for the recommendations on tyres

My other question is... Is removing the Air bag steering wheel a dangerous job?

When the wheel alignment was done by the last owner, the mechanic forgot to centre the steering wheel. Is it a job i should tackle myself, or should i take it to a tyre and suspension shop?

Thanks

(when this rain stops, i'll take some photos like i promised)

Abaddon · Post by **Abaddon** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:13 pm

Hey there,

I just joined this site myself! It's fantastic to have found a local (well, local enough) forum to discuss these things.

But RE your issues, I have to say that if the rubber key handle is your only real concern, you're doing well!

I say this as, even with the mighty mighty Subaru Outback, a 2001 model will always come with it's share of problems.

As far as psi is concerned, I am not familiar with these pressures mentioned. i have a moderate lift kit, and have shod Kumho 215/70 R15 (which is only a little larger than a standard).
When I go offroad I deflate to between 25 and 30 psi depending on what I'm about to do, and I travel daily on 34 psi.

The max recommended for my tyre is 36, I think. So it sounds like your driving on smooth surfaces too low, but overinflating to above 40psi, regardless of what you're doing, is NOT a good idea.

It all depends on the tyres, tho. If you have genuine, thick offroaders (like Coopers) then your psi can go up to 45psi for daily driving. Doing difficult offroad driving would require you deflate them MY standard road psi, or thereabouts; 30 - 35 psi.

Hope this helps

Abaddon

Thalass · Post by **Thalass** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:01 am

The kumho's on the front on my outback are max 48psi, I think. I think they're the standard outback tyres for that model. I usually run 42ish on the front, but the tyres on the back are crappy cheap ones that won't go higher than 36. I'll have to buy a new set of kumhos when I get back to australia.

For highway driving without a large load in the car, you should be ok with 40+psi, though you should always check the side of your tyres for the max figure. Higher pressure should help your fuel economy, though of course it makes the tires crap for off road.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:32 pm

Ive let them back down to 36psi, so the ride is a little softer.

4wd-ing isnt a concern as i only use it to drive to work.

subarooster · Post by **subarooster** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:03 pm

Gannon, pleeease make sure you invite me over to watch you take the steering wheel off.

haha

Abaddon · Post by **Abaddon** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:29 pm

That's going to be potentially hazardous, not to mention possibly voiding your insurance... that's my guess

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:15 pm

Of course you can watch me take off the steering wheel Tom..... you can sit in the drivers seat.

Here are a few pictures of my new baby beside my old baby (excuse the crappy camera phone pics at 5pm)

My first mods are gonna be some driving lighs, Narva rectangular ones, and convert the tape input on the headunit to an auxiliary input

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Proud owner of a 2001 Outback

Proud owner of a 2001 Outback

pressures and insurance