From being stuck in heavy traffic on the Monash Freeway to travelling away for the weekend into the Yarra Valley, driving a Subaru car in Victoria, Australia is an absolute joy. Cars like the Forester, Outback and Impreza are simply iconic in all of Australia.
Why?
It all comes down to this high-performing boxer engine and Subaru's well-renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. To maintain your prized possession in top condition, one needs to undertake proper car servicing, which should be customised according to the environmental conditions in your region.
Scheduling regular Subaru car servicing in Melbourne could very well be the right choice for you.
Subaru doesn't play the maintenance guessing game. They set up a comprehensive logbook maintenance system, which is performed on a time or kilometre basis. A typical logbook maintenance service program would be 10, 000 kilometres or 6 months, whichever happens first.
The manufacturer breaks maintenance into four basic tiers:
Apart from those, you should also be mindful of long-term maintenance milestones. Replacement of camshaft drive belts is done every 160,000 kilometres or 10 years for turbo cars, while a cooling system flush is recommended at 220,000 kilometres.
Symmetrical AWD is truly a masterpiece; there is absolutely no doubt about it. However, it does impose certain requirements on the drivetrain as well. Since all four wheels are driven simultaneously, gear oil inside the differential works harder than ever and should be kept clean. It is recommended to change differential oil every 30,000-60,000 miles to avoid wear of internal gears.
Tires are another important aspect of owning an AWD car.
See, when tread depths on tyres differ even slightly, it creates enormous strain on the transfer case and the differential. Tires should be rotated regularly every 5,000-6,000 miles to keep the tread even and uniform. In case of replacement of tyres, one needs to buy all four new tyres at once.
Not doing this will result in hearing clunks when making sharp turns and seeing the warning light on the dashboard. When wondering why choose Subaru specialist instead of a general mechanic, think of this: it is much better to have a mechanic who knows all these peculiarities of the drivetrain to avoid expensive repairs later on.
Melbourne’s weather conditions can be erratic. Extremely cold mornings, foggy mornings, and rainfall pose a serious threat to your car. Battery power needs to double its efforts in starting up engines, especially with short trips within the inner suburbs. You don’t have to risk being stuck on a frozen morning because of an easy battery load test.
Tires and brakes require special care due to wet roads.
Deep enough tread is essential for water management on wet roads, and good quality brake pads ensure that you can brake immediately when traffic comes to a stop. The correct oil is required for cold starting, such as semi-synthetic 5W-30 or 10W-40 oils, in order to minimise engine friction.
Simple things such as new wiper blades, full washer fluid and good functioning demister become extremely important in bad weather.
A lot of Victorian drivers still think they have to take their car back to a dealership to keep their warranty intact.
Truth is, that's completely false.
The following is the case under Australian Consumer Law. You have a choice to use any authorized independent workshop because nothing will jeopardize your warranty, provided that your mechanic uses parts in accordance with the factory time frame.
Plus, keeping that logbook stamped pays off when it's time to sell. Cars with full-service records regularly fetch 15% to 25% higher resale prices.
As for costs around Melbourne, a basic service at an independent shop usually sets you back about $169 to $250 plus GST. Replacing front brake pads and rotors generally sits between $350 and $500. If an unexpected fix pops up, plenty of local workshops offer BNPL options like Afterpay or Zip Pay up to $5,000 so you don't have to break the bank.
Driving will be more enjoyable when you can trust your mechanic. When you choose an honest Subaru specialist in Melbourne, you are going to get technicians who use specialized diagnostic equipment and work on boxer engines daily. Honest mechanics in Melbourne, such as Suby Fix, have earned good reputations based on their honesty and logbook services.
By maintaining your car for continuous service, keeping up with the recommended maintenances, treating your AWD system well and getting used to the changes of the seasons, your car will just work. Open the hood, snap a quick peek at your logbook and set up an appointment with your local Subaru mechanic.
