Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[PJungnitsch]

I am going to plasti-dip my winters next summer.  That looks pretty good.

PJungnitsch, what are the seat heater's like?  Do they go under the seat covers?  How are they connected to power?

These ones:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/content/canadian-tire/en/pdp/automotive/interior-auto-accessories/seat-cushions/heatech-heating-cushion-0323511p.html#.VG0pGyg031E

I've had a few different types, and these seem unusually good with a much better than average hold down system, a hi/low/off switch, and no massaging bits of plastic to dig into the back.

Ran a splitter from the cigarette lighter to power them. So far seems to have the capacity.

I have fit similar ones under seat covers, but in my experience that cuts the heat too much.

Note that if anyone decides to do this, make sure the splitter is heavy duty enough. The one I had blew it's fuse, it turned out it was only rated for 5 amps. Replaced with this one rated for 10A, and no problem.

[johngenx]

I get a build up of corrosion on our 98 Forester which leads to loss of cranking amps upon start up. Recently encountered this again. Did a battery test and a alternator (alternator and battery 2 years old). I'm not keen on the battery connectors and thought of replacing them. The 98 Forester battery connectors have have little contact area to the battery terminals with added corrosion the contact diminishes. I cleaned them with a wire brush and post spray. Placed some conductive grease (with graphite) and tighten them back up. Hoping for the best.

Not uncommon on that year.  Our 01 has more robust connectors and better grounds - poor grounds are not uncommon on 98s.  Many owners run a heavy gauge ground in addition to the factory one.

[redman]

I get a build up of corrosion on our 98 Forester which leads to loss of cranking amps upon start up. Recently encountered this again. Did a battery test and a alternator (alternator and battery 2 years old). I'm not keen on the battery connectors and thought of replacing them. The 98 Forester battery connectors have have little contact area to the battery terminals with added corrosion the contact diminishes. I cleaned them with a wire brush and post spray. Placed some conductive grease (with graphite) and tighten them back up. Hoping for the best.

Not uncommon on that year.  Our 01 has more robust connectors and better grounds - poor grounds are not uncommon on 98s.  Many owners run a heavy gauge ground in addition to the factory one.

Thanks, will do. From where to where do you apply the ground.

[pi314]

I replaced the 6 year old battery on my Mom's Rondo - I had to boost it Sunday, and it's been slow to crank since January - Since we're taking a road trip to GTA with it in December, I want it to start whenever we want it to.

[wing]

I don't take chances anymore.  5 years old she goes no matter what

[pi314]

I doubt the simple mechanical switch for the heat seaters cost $1000 on her rondo though 

[wing]

You never know.  Mine is a mechanical switch too, but mounted under the seat is a computer to control heat output and shut off if too hot etc.

You would think a resistor and a thermistor override would be the easy way...

[rrocket]

Put my new General Altimax Arctic on the Forester....along with a 4 wheel alignment.

Let it snow...we'll be unstoppable now!   

[johngenx]

Thanks, will do. From where to where do you apply the ground.

I haven't done this, but what I understand owners have done is simply run a second wire right from the post (tying into the current contact) to a new point - pick a new spot on the "frame" and make a hole.  I'm not 100% sure of the process - just heard from some owners that it solves some electrical problems.

[rrocket]

Thanks, will do. From where to where do you apply the ground.

I haven't done this, but what I understand owners have done is simply run a second wire right from the post (tying into the current contact) to a new point - pick a new spot on the "frame" and make a hole.  I'm not 100% sure of the process - just heard from some owners that it solves some electrical problems.

You have to make 100% sure that the ground point is bare metal.

[johngenx]

You have to make 100% sure that the ground point is bare metal.

Oh, yes, scrape away the paint.

[rrocket]

You have to make 100% sure that the ground point is bare metal.

Oh, yes, scrape away the paint.

Here's are some Subaru grounding threads with pics!  Interesting how the voltage increased with a grounding kit.  Nice that he took numbers before/after.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?15711-My-proof-that-DIY-grounding-kits-work

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f66/do-yourself-grounding-kit-17988/

[johngenx]

Here's are some Subaru grounding threads with pics!  Interesting how the voltage increased with a grounding kit.  Nice that he took numbers before/after.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?15711-My-proof-that-DIY-grounding-kits-work

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f66/do-yourself-grounding-kit-17988/

Great thread finds!

[redman]

You have to make 100% sure that the ground point is bare metal.

Oh, yes, scrape away the paint.

Here's are some Subaru grounding threads with pics!  Interesting how the voltage increased with a grounding kit.  Nice that he took numbers before/after.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?15711-My-proof-that-DIY-grounding-kits-work

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f66/do-yourself-grounding-kit-17988/

Thanks for the links..Rocket 

[wing]

Drove car today.  Nice.

Also moved truck in the driveway... apparently a mouse or a chipmunk was living in the wheel well as it left when I moved it.  Need to check that....

[redman]

Wife was at CT this morning. I asked her to pick this up  MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM 1/2" DRIVE breaker bar $9.69 75% off.

Thinking of Maximum torque wrench 60% off $53.99. Any Good ?

[wing]

Yeah I know, it really bothers me, especially in a truck with a million computers.  I wish I had room to park it in the garage....

Never been an issue before, only been sitting a few days too.

[Fobroader]

Wife was at CT this morning. I asked her to pick this up  MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM 1/2" DRIVE breaker bar $9.69 75% off.

Thinking of Maximum torque wrench 60% off $53.99. Any Good ?

I have the 1/4" and 1/2" torque wrenches.  They come with a cal certificate and they've served me well. Thats a great deal, I picked mine up in a combo pack for ~$110.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[redman]

Wife was at CT this morning. I asked her to pick this up  MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM 1/2" DRIVE breaker bar $9.69 75% off.

Thinking of Maximum torque wrench 60% off $53.99. Any Good ?

I have the 1/4" and 1/2" torque wrenches.  They come with a cal certificate and they've served me well. Thats a great deal, I picked mine up in a combo pack for ~$110.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Good to hear. Will have to do a stop over for the 1/2" on the way home. Never seen the combo pack but sounds great.

[Fobroader]

Wife was at CT this morning. I asked her to pick this up  MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM 1/2" DRIVE breaker bar $9.69 75% off.

Thinking of Maximum torque wrench 60% off $53.99. Any Good ?

I have the 1/4" and 1/2" torque wrenches.  They come with a cal certificate and they've served me well. Thats a great deal, I picked mine up in a combo pack for ~$110.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

Good to hear. Will have to do a stop over for the 1/2" on the way home. Never seen the combo pack but sounds great.

Oh it wasnt an official thing, they just wrapped the two wrench packages together with that plastic shrink wrap stuff and stuck a price tag on it