June 7, 2023

... and the green lights

My mild OCD made itself known when I noticed that not all the indicators were properly illuminated. I embarked on a crusade in emerald green. It turned out that all the issues could be solved with three types of bulbs:

W5W for the gauges - larger ones
R5/T5 for the gauges - smaller ones
T3 for the buttons

A pleasant surprise was that the problem with the infamous rubber caps that change the backlighting color is perfectly solved with colored bulbs. Two evenings later, the Forester looked like a Christmas tree:

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June 6, 2023

Blue tooth...

The Forester arrived in the land of the Vistula River with a highly advanced car audio system. Unfortunately, the level of sophistication was negatively correlated with the car’s age. And so, the CD changer module integrated with the Clarion navigation system (which must have been a futuristic device some 20 years ago) was replaced with a modest storage compartment, and the radio was upgraded with a Bluetooth dongle. That was the best 50 PLN I’ve ever spent, without a moment’s hesitation. It was completely plug-and-play with the factory unit, powered via quick-connects from the cigarette lighter wires, and with the AUX option added to the radio settings, the driving experience improved tremendously. The only thing I regret a bit is not trusting Chinese technology enough to buy the version without a microphone.

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June 5, 2023

At the Beginning, There Was the Forester

Yes, at the beginning, there was the Forester. If I had to describe this car in one sentence: “A perfect car (except for all its flaws).” After nearly 2 years and 40,000 km together, I still can’t get over how good it is. If I ever manage to find the golden rod bearing that allows me to fulfill three wishes (take that, Aladdin), one of them will be for a time travel. To Basel, the year will be 2002, the roads will once again be ruled by the like of Octavia MK1, Golf MK4, and I, for the first time in my life, will have a “2” in front of my age, and I shall walk into the Emil Frey showroom. And there, the Subaru Forester 2.0 XT 4AT — what a car!

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December 31, 2022

Maintenance: 2022 Forester Log

2022 02 16

276131 km

Engine oil change (Castrol Edge LL 5W30),
Oil filter replacement,
Fuel filter replacement,
Air filter replacement,
Cabin air filter replacement,
Transmission oil change (ATF Dexron 3),
Transmission oil filter replacement,
Front and rear differential oil change (Motul 75W90),
Timing belt kit replacement with water pump,
Repair of threads on timing belt rollers and tensioner using Helicoil (3x),
Timing belt shaft limiter,
Timing belt seal replacement,
Right valve cover gasket seal replacement,
Replacement of steering rack bushings,
Replacement of turbocharger actuator hoses connector,
Front Lambda Oxygen sensor replacement.

2022 03 18

277752 km

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