Subaru Legacy and Forester: 2000-2006 Repair Manual

This is exactly what I need - to save money and become more proficient. This is the clearest repair book I've ever owned. Great job!

My mom owns a 2001 Forrester and the check engine light came on. The car was idling very roughly and even blowing some white smoke. The car's warranty had JUST expired. To make matters worse, I had read online that the car was prone to head gasket problems, and when I plugged the symptoms and make and model into google I came up with a ton of very bad scenarios. My wife has started staying home with our kids, and we are on one salary. I've had to learn how to get by on less QUICK. Very recently I got a tool set and started changing my own oil and doing my own breaks (saving a TON). I read a great book called: Auto Repair For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) and had learned how to do breaks online on my own vehicle (Auto Repair for Dummies doesn't show you how to do breaks... but does teach you how your brake system works) So, I decided to go a step farther for mom and buy this manual and see just how radical I could get to save her some money. (She is retired and on a fixed income. The dealer she got the car from went out of business... AFTER raking her over the coals on the purchase! I wish she had told me about it before hand!) So, I drove her car down to Auto Zone and had them check the engine with the computer. This is a FREE service (go AUTO ZONE!) I bought this manual, and I asked the guy at Auto Zone for advice. He said the computer told him the problem was in cylinder three. I asked if this meant a possible head gasket problem and he shook his head and said, "Look; do cheap work first to eliminate simple possible causes. Only move on to the expensive fussy stuff AFTER you check the cheap and obvious. For now, change the plugs and wires and see what happens." I had never done this before on any vehicle. This manual was awesome for vehicle specific advise to get my confidence up. I've pretty much read the whole thing and it is remarkable how detailed the instructions are. This manual is AWESOME! Of course, Auto Repair For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) had good instructions too. Between the two sources for learning, I felt plenty confident to do the job. So, I got out my new ratchet and got to work. With the help of this EXCELLENT book the work was easy. I got the job done, and at the same time did an oil change and checked the PCV. I unplugged and removed the battery to reset the computer and to help me get at the plugs (its a little tight in there). Once the job was finished (it took me about 2 hours.... first timer!) I had mom take it out for a test drive. She said it hadn't run better... ever. The idle was smooth, all the roughness had disappeared. When I "read" the spark plugs (this book makes it EASY as there is a full color guide in the back of the manual) it became clear that because mom only does short mileage runs in town for low mileage the plug in that third cylinder had become carbon fouled. The plugs were all fouled to some extent, but the one in the third cylinder was NASTY. I am now a huge fan of C

This manual is significantly better the various other Chilton/Haynes manuals I've owned over the years. Usually it doesn't take long to discover critical information that's been left out- but I've had no such problems with this one. The photos and illustrations are plentiful and helpful.

Typical Chilton manual. For basic maintenance, this will help you get the job done. Don't expect this to be a factory manual. This book is identical in content (word for word) to the Haynes manual. Their layout is slightly different. Buy one, but not both. Chilton seems to have larger diagrams, Haynes has more efficient print layout. Take your pick.

Pros: This manual can show you how to do just about anything in a fast\easy manner for your Subaru. Used it recently to learn all the tricks for changing headlight bulbs, took me a matter of minutes. Cons: I have a 2000 and didn't like waiting so long for this manual to be released, I blame Subaru for making 6 years of similar cars, not Chilton.