Lake Forest Park Subaru Repair

What's that grinding, growling noise as you are stopping your Subaru? Assuming you didn't add some bells and whistles to your ride, there's a good chance it's your brakes. It's even a possibility the brakes are getting worn down to the indicators. (That's not good, just to be clear.) Did you know your brake pads may need replaced every 20,000-60,000 miles? Really, having them checked every 10,000 miles could save you a world of headache. But let's say you're driving around and notice something is "off" - how do you know if it's related to your brakes? Here are five signs to tell you it is time to replace your brakes Worn Pads Notice you have a harder time slowing and stopping your car? As scary as that is, it's normal and expected, so get those pads changed! The components of the brakes create friction when moving, which inevitably wears the brake pads down until they are too thin to do their job. Strange Sounds Okay, a high pitched squeal isn't cool ... read more

Car batteries die, it happens. As annoying as it can be, it's one of the easiest, quickest things to fix if you have to have a repair! Usually, you can replace the battery on your own, or for minimal cost. But why does the battery die in the first place? We know everything has a lifespan (even on a Subaru), nothing lasts forever. Eventually, the battery will die, it's unavoidable. But knowing what causes the battery to die, may help you prolong its life in the long run. We put together some of the most common causes for why car batteries die Headlights or Dome Lights Left On Yes, this is a simple user error. Yet, it happens all the time! Even for those of us living in Washington, having the experience of the outdoors and motor vehicles, make this error. When you accidentally leave on your headlights, or even a very dim dome light, this bit of constant power left on (especially overnight!) will drain your battery. It's much easier to see when the lights are left in the dark, bu ... read more

Every responsible Subaru owner knows that one of the most important things you can do to keep your vehicle running smoothly is to ensure it is properly oiled. It's not enough to simply make sure that your vehicle has oil in it, it's imperative that it have the proper oil in order to maintain proper working order and longevity. There are basically two types of motor oil to choose from: synthetic and conventional. If you don't know the difference between the two, you've come to the right place. Learn more about Synthetic Oil VS Conventional Oil Let's take a quick look at how engine oil is made. Both synthetic and conventional oil have their origins in plant-based materials. Each oil is processed differently, and it is here where they become independent entities. Let's discuss synthetics. Synthetic oil not only goes through a refining process but is also distilled. In layman's terms, this helps the oil to become more purified and allows it to be more readily customized to suit th ... read more

What's that sound? Is it a bird, a plane...? No, it's a Subaru! And...it's normal. If you have a Subaru, you've probably noticed it sounds a little differently than other vehicles. Maybe you even wondered if something was wrong. That's a common "new user" concern - which easily gets put to rest when they realize it's not just their Subaru, it's everyone's! Living in Seattle, Washington and along the Pacific Northwest, you probably hear the Subaru hum pretty often. But have you ever been told WHY it has its own special sound? Read below to find out. The Subaru Sound: Boxer Engine That distinctive Subaru sound we have all come to know, is thanks to the vehicle's boxer engine, which is different than the engines in other vehicles. This 2.5 liter engine has a horizontal, flat design, with headers that are unequal in length. (Which, for those of you who are not car nerds - that's totally different than other designs with equal length headers.) The header piping from cylinders one a ... read more

If you've spent any time in the Pacific Northwest, especially Washington, you may be wondering if you're hallucinating or if there truly are Subaru's everywhere you look. You know when you buy a car and suddenly you see that same model everywhere? But it's not that the car suddenly became more popular, it's just that you're more aware since your purchase. Well, that's not what's happening here. There really are Subaru's everywhere. No, not every single vehicle is a Subaru (which is beyond us, who wouldn't want one?). However, every 1 in 10 car owners in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area owns a Subaru! This is 3x more than any other state. In fact, the top two concentrated metropolitan areas with the most Subaru's belong to our wonderful Washington State. Spokane took first place, with Seattle as second. Why are Subaru's so beloved to us Pacific Northwesterners? What makes them so special? Well, besides the obvious fact that they are the best (not that we are b ... read more