Purchasing your Subaru probably had something to do with its impressive reliability, or perhaps you just thought it looked cool. But--just like any other car--the Subaru needs a little attention so that it can work up to its fullest potential. The following guide will help you take care your vehicle. 

Basic Subaru Recommendations

The following recommendations do vary from vehicle to vehicle, so make sure you talk to your Subaru specialist about your specific needs:

• Oil changes should be performed as recommended. Be sure to have your oil filter changed at this time, too. 
• You should have your timing belt checked. 
• Have your brake system checked.
• Make sure you have your axle boots and fuel lines checked. Do not forget your cooling and steering system as well. 

You can check your manual for specified recommendations, or talk to your Subaru specialist. These numbers can vary depending on how you drive your Subaru and the terrain you generally put your car through. 

Special Considerations

All makes have their very own Achilles heel. You should be aware of your Subaru's weaknesses to anticipate the issues and solve them before they become a costly problem. 

The following are a few common problems that Subarus seem to have; just keep in mind that these do depend on your specific vehicle, the year, and suggested maintenance schedule:

Leaking Head Gasket

This problem seems to be common with older Subarus, yet it still presents a problem from time to time. The following are a few signs to look for besides the leak:

• Misfires due to improper fuel-to-air mixture.
• Coolant mixed in the motor oil or vice versa.

Knock Sensor Issues

The following are just a few signs to look for:

• You might hear noises coming from your engine. These noises are triggered by an improper fuel and air ignition, which might sound like loud thumps. 
• Misfires due to an improper fuel-to-air mixture.
• The improper fuel and air ignition might make your car shake abnormally.
• That same bad mixture might also cause a strong burnt smell to come out of your exhaust pipe.
• Your car might start using up more gasoline than usual, so pay attention to how much gas you need to put in your car.

Subaru tends to change their tires or discontinue them to improve safety. This is a good thing and a bad thing—they are trying to help, but it also encourages you to spend money on new tires to improve your safety. 

You should talk to a Subaru specialist like Roos Only as soon as you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms so that he or she can help you get to the bottom of them.