Had to have the brakes replaced at 50,000km (ie disks and pads) because of warped disks. Possibly my fault in the mountain roads. I use engine braking downhill, but nevertheless the disks got warped. The mechanic suggested sharp braking can overheat the disks. Oh well. At least I have nice new brakes for ¥100,000 ! I mostly use the Forester to drive to and from Tokyo to my country house. In the summer I drive a Mazda roadster around the mountain roads, but in the winter the Forester, of course.
Otherwise only usual maintenance. I pre-purchase a two years maintenance "package" at the time of car inspection/licencing which is once in two years (called shakken). The diffs had oil replaced at 40,000. The engine oil is replaced every 10,000km, which is about one year in my case. I top up oil once or twice in the year with their recommended oil, 0W-20, altogether 1.5L, so it is not a heavy user of oil. The car starts first time every time. It runs smoothly. It is very spacious in back with the rear seats down. I cannot fault it. The best part is that it is pre so-called safety beeping thingies that drive everyone mad.
Not particularly related to the Forester ...... I am now on my second sets of summer and winter tyres My first set of winter tyres was Pirelli, but I was disappointed to find that they were made in Russia. They were not really bad tyres and I used them for three seasons, but replaced them last season with Bridgestone Blizzak made in Japan, which are really very good. The summer tyres are also Bridgestone MiJ. Many people run tyres almost bald, but I happily change them after a shorter distance because they are the only thing between you and the road ! Winter tyres lose their elasticity after three years and have to be replaced even if they have a lot of tread left. Old and hard winter tyres are no better than summer tyres in the snow.
16th Dec 2025, 10:56
Now done almost 70,000km.
Had to have the brakes replaced at 50,000km (ie disks and pads) because of warped disks. Possibly my fault in the mountain roads. I use engine braking downhill, but nevertheless the disks got warped. The mechanic suggested sharp braking can overheat the disks. Oh well. At least I have nice new brakes for ¥100,000 ! I mostly use the Forester to drive to and from Tokyo to my country house. In the summer I drive a Mazda roadster around the mountain roads, but in the winter the Forester, of course.
Otherwise only usual maintenance. I pre-purchase a two years maintenance "package" at the time of car inspection/licencing which is once in two years (called shakken). The diffs had oil replaced at 40,000. The engine oil is replaced every 10,000km, which is about one year in my case. I top up oil once or twice in the year with their recommended oil, 0W-20, altogether 1.5L, so it is not a heavy user of oil. The car starts first time every time. It runs smoothly. It is very spacious in back with the rear seats down. I cannot fault it. The best part is that it is pre so-called safety beeping thingies that drive everyone mad.
Not particularly related to the Forester ...... I am now on my second sets of summer and winter tyres My first set of winter tyres was Pirelli, but I was disappointed to find that they were made in Russia. They were not really bad tyres and I used them for three seasons, but replaced them last season with Bridgestone Blizzak made in Japan, which are really very good. The summer tyres are also Bridgestone MiJ. Many people run tyres almost bald, but I happily change them after a shorter distance because they are the only thing between you and the road ! Winter tyres lose their elasticity after three years and have to be replaced even if they have a lot of tread left. Old and hard winter tyres are no better than summer tyres in the snow.