1992 Subaru SVX 6-3300cc 3.3L DOHC

Service Helpline Update - February 1995

SERVICE HELPLINE UPDATE

FEBRUARY 1995

NEW PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING YOKOHAMA TIRE COMPLAINTS

Yokohama Tire Corporation, one of the suppliers of original equipment tires for Subaru, has asked for our assistance in ensuring speedy and effective handling of Subaru customer complaints regarding Yokohama Tires.

Yokohama has set up a Customer Relations team that is best suited to handle complaints that have to do with these original equipment tires. (As you know, original equipment tires are warranted directly by the manufacturers.)

Yokohama tire dealers can also handle these complaints, but they are not always in the best position to evaluate all of the circumstances based on all factors known to Yokohama Tire Corporation.

To ensure that your customers receive proper consideration of their complaints with Yokohama, a special toll-free phone line has been established exclusively for Subaru dealers. In the event your customers have concerns, call the appropriate Yokohama Customer Relations number:

1-800-722-9888 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Pacific Time

1-800-231-9987 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Central Time

1-800-678-3279 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time

When calling the toll-free number:

^ Have all of the vehicle information in front of you.
^ Identify yourself as a Subaru dealer calling on behalf of your customer.
^ Provide the requested information. (The Yokohama Representative may ask questions about the vehicle's service and maintenance history as it relates to tire wear. Be prepared!)

The Yokohama Representative will then arrange an adjustment based on the vehicle and customer particulars presented.

It's as simple as that!

If you experience any difficulties with this procedure or if you have any questions, contact your District Technical Manager or Area Service Office.

Thank you for your cooperation. Your assistance in expediting these customer concerns will be appreciated by Yokohama - and more importantly, by our customers.

IMPREZA SHIFT LOCKS THAT WON'T UNLOCK WHEN COLD

If you encounter an Automatic Impreza with a shift lock that will not release from park position only when cold, check to see if any beverage has been spilled onto the console from the cupholder. We have received reports of shift lock mechanisms that become sticky only when cold after having soda or coffee spilled onto the solenoid, linkages. or switches. Evidence of the spill can be seen when the console cover is removed to inspect the mechanism.

ERRATIC WARNING LIGHT OPERATION

When diagnosing a vehicle that has erratically operating (flashing, dim illumination, etc.) of the handbrake/brake fluid warning lights. you might want to check the charging system and the charge light system. The charge light system (which receives a ground through the alternator field when the alternator is not charging) is used to check the bulbs of the handbrake/brake fluid warning lights (and some other warning lights on select vehicles).

IDLE QUALITY COMPLAINTS ON 95 LEGACY

If you encounter a complaint of idle quality on a 95 LEGACY, especially during warm up, check to see if there is corrosion between the spark plug terminal tips and the spark plug wire's contact.

SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL - AN UPDATE

FHI has liberalized their position on the use of synthetic engine oils in Subaru engines. Synthetic engine oils can be used in SUBARU engines if the user follows the engine oil recommendations prescribed in the Owner's Manual. SUBARU has not tested the compatibility of all synthetic oils with engine seals, but the petroleum industry does adhere to standards for the refining process which meet SUBARU requirements.

SUBARU does not guarantee the performance of any brand of engine oil.

ENGINE 0IL USAGE GUIDELINES

^ ONLY USE ENGINE OIL THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE API CLASSIFICATION DESIGNATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THE VEHICLE.
^ ONLY USE ENGINE OIL THAT MEETS THE VISCOSITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES UNDER WHICH THE VEHICLE WILL BE OPERATED AS OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
^ THE ENGINE OIL MUST BE CHANGED AT THE INTERVALS SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE BOOKLET FOR THE VEHICLE. SOME SYNTHETIC OIL REFINERS RECOMMEND EXTENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. SUBARU DOES NOT RECOMMEND ANY DEVIATI0N FROM THE SPECIFIC INTERVALS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

We hope this helps to answer questions about the use of Synthetic engine oil in SUBARU engines.