Subaru glossary- terms and definitions for everyday Subaru use (2024)

AllWheel Drive (AWD): Mostcars are front wheel drive, some are rear wheel drive.
That means that either thefront or rear axle is powered and usually only one wheel.

All Wheel drive meansthat instead of either front or rear, both axles get power from the engine.This means that your Subaru is being pushed and pulled by all four wheelat the same time resulting in far superior traction in all driving conditions.

Subaru's all-wheel-driveis intended for everyday driving, detects any loss of traction and adjustsinstantly in all situations including emergency braking, hard cornering,rain or snow slick roads with a substantial improvement in driver controland safety.
In other words... it's great.

Subaru All Wheel Drive(AWD). There are 3 systems- Continuous, Active and VTD

The types of all wheeldrive used are:

ContinuousAWD: Subaru manual transmissions use Continuous AWD, normally50/50 front-to-back power split and use a mechanical viscous center differentialto to vary the power split when there is a loss of traction.

ActiveAWD: Subaru's automatic transmission use Active AWD, mostlyfront wheel drive (normally 80/20) and uses traction sensing computer inputto electronically vary the front to rear power split via a hydraulic multi-platetransfer clutch.

VTDAWD (variable torque distribution). New in 2001, VTD transferspowers front to back electronically. The power split is 45/55 front/rearand the rear wheel bias is designed for a more luxury car feel as opposedto the front bias of the Active AWD system. Usually 45/55 front to backsplit but that varies according to wheel slippage. VTD includes VDC (vehicledynamics control) Subaru's electronic stability control system with TCS tractioncontrol system

VDCisVehicleDynamics Control, Subaru's electronic stability control system withtraction control. VDC is also the name of an Outback Limited model from2001-2004. The components of the VDC system are:
Direction: uses brakes toslow down wheels to reduce spin and help control vehicle direction.
Skidding: yaw and steeringwheel sensors use brakes to slow down spinning wheels and re-direct powerto the wheel(s) with the best traction to re-gain control.
Engine power: controls engineoutput to slow spinning by reducing spark to cylinders to cut back powerand help re-gain control.

new for 2015 with Active Torque Vectoring modulates inner front wheel when vehicle is turning

LimitedSlip Rear Axle: Limited Slip transfers power to rear wheel withbest traction. Also called Posi-traction. Available on some models. Replacedby VDC

Shift on the Fly 4WD:this is an old system last used in 1994. refers to an less refined andeffective, older Subaru 4x4 system that allowed the driver to engage thefour wheel drive as the car was moving. Last used on the 1994 Loyale, butalso used on older GL, DL, Subaru, Brat etc. Not currently used on anySubaru. All are now All-Wheel-Drive. At one time Subaru even offered ahi/lo dual range 4x4 system. For more information on this and other olderSubarus please visit my archives page linked above.
Four Wheel Drive(4x4):Most four wheel drive systems are part time and need to be manuallyengaged by the driver as opposed to a constant All Wheel Drive systemthat requires no operator input. These are primarily used on trucks andSport Utility vehicles where improved traction is for infrequent off-roador emergency use and not intended for normal everyday driving.

Full Time Four Wheeldrive: Similar to all-wheel-drive, and mostly used on higher priced sportutility vehicles

Sport Utility Vehicle(SUV): A truck based wagon such as Ford Explorer, Jeep Cherokee, ToyotaRunner that has been partly civilized to become a normal passenger vehicle.These started out as working trucks and retain the stiff chassis (ride),hard towing but fuel inefficient motors, and small interior passenger spaceof their background.
The 4x4 systems usuallyare driver operated, and only used in slick road conditions, when towingthe boat up the ramp, or off-road driving.

Differentials: A setof gears that allows a wheel to turn. Easiest to see looking under theback of a big truck... the big round thing in the middle of the rear axleis the rear differential. On a Subaru there is a front, middle and reardifferential to transfer power to all the wheels.

Viscous Limited Slip Differential:Improves traction. Gears on the rear differential (rear axle) that transferpower to the rear wheel with better traction.

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Brakes
all information subjectto change, correction

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS):A brake system that prevents wheel lockup in hard braking conditions sothe driver can maintain control and not skid. Anti-lock brakes will 'pulse'when activated under firm brake pedal pressure because they are pumpingthe brakes at a very high rate.

Four Channel ABS:a high end ABS system used in Subarus that monitors and controls each wheel'sbrakes.

Disc brakes: A flatbrake pad squeezes onto both sides of a flat metal disc (the rotor) tostop the car. The larger the disc the better the stopping power. This isa very efficient system.

Vented Disc Brakes:When a disc brake is used under heavy load, heat can build up resultingin warping which will need to be turned to be made 100% flat again. A venteddisc has a small air gap between the two sides of the disc to dissipateheat, resulting in improved braking and lower maintenance.

Drum Brakes: A curvedbrake pad is pressed outwards against the inside of the curved brake drum.An older less efficient system than a disc brake. Only used on the rearbrakes on a few Subaru models.

Brake Fade: Loss ofthe brake's ability to stop the car, occurring when brakes heat up underheavy use or constant riding. Heat prevent the brake's pads from grabbingand stopping the car, plus can lead to warped rotors (disc brakes only).

Calipers: A caliperis the device that squeezes the brake pads against the disc or drum brake.These need to be replaced when they weaken after a long time.

Dual Calipers: 2 (ormore) calipers allows a larger brake pad, which means more pressure canbe applied allowing safer and surer stopping.

Rotor: the disc inthe disc brake is called a rotor.

Warped Rotor: whena rotor overheats it may warp, becoming 'unflat', and the driver will noticea pulsing when braking. Fixed by a shop 'turning' the rotors, shaving offthe high spots to make it flat again.

Drilled Rotor: rotorsthat have holes drilled in them for improved air circulation and cooling,thus less fade.

Brake Proportioning Valve(EBD): a valve that adjusts the braking force to the rearwheel based for front-rear weight transfer.

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Mechanical,Engines
all information subjectto change, correction

Boxer Engine. Alsoknown as Horizontally Opposed, Flat, or Pancake Engine.
In this old and well respectedengine design, cylinders are arranged in a horizontal formation with pistonsmoving from side to side. They lay flat, thus also known as a flat 4 (for4 cylinder versions). This design is ideal for all-wheel-drive, permitsequal length axle half shafts, and allows a very aerodynamic low centerof gravity.
Other vehicles that useBoxer Engines: older VWs, Honda Gold-Wing and BMW motorcycles, Porschecars, the Corvair
Other engine designs:'straight' and 'V' formations.
In a straight, or 'in line'engine the pistons are arranged all in a straight row, in a line, and moveup and down. Thus the term Straight 4 or 6 or 8 depending on the numberof cylinders.
In a V formation there are2 banks of pistons angled away from each other, moving up and down. Theseare the engines known as V-6, V-8 etc.

H6, H-6: Initialsfor Horizontally opposed 6 cylinder engine. See BoxerEngine above. H-6 is the name of Subaru's 3.0L 6 cylinder engine used startingin 2001, most often used H-6 3.0L and later 3.6L engines . Certain modelsare called 3.0R (3.0L) or later 3.6R (3.6L), and the 'R' is an oldermarketing term from the early 2000s for 'revolution'. It also has beenclaimed to not have any specific meaning.

Fuel injection: afuel delivery system that automatically delivers, or injects, the fuel.No pumping of the gas pedal is required when starting the car. Subaru usesa sequential multi-port injection system. This means that the fuel is deliveredto the proper cylinder in the correct firing sequence and that each cylinderhas it's own injector, thus a multi-port system. Older cars use a carburetoror single port injection fuel delivery system.

Valves
Subaru has used muliplesystems over the years
> Active Valve Control system-AVCS, variable valve timing system that varies intake camshaft timing andvaries the opening and closing of the valves.
> Active Valve Lift system-AVLS varies the amount the valve opens. At lower speeds a smaller (low)valve lift compresses and increases the speed of the air rushing into tothe chamber. At higher speeds a larger (higher) valve lift allows moreair into the chamber.
> i-active Valve Lift system(variable valve lift)
> DAVCS dual active variablevalve control system, variable valve timing

Low Emission Vehicle(LEV): when a car meets California and New York's stricter emission standardsit can be called LEV.

PZEV partial low emissionvehicle a brief, simple summary
(2008)The EPA says a PZEV is the cleanest running gas car on today's market basedon emissions testing for carbon-containing compounds, oxides of nitrogen,particulate matter, and other tailpipe nastiness.
For2008 it is required in CA, CT, NJ, NY, MA, ME, RI, VT, PA, OR, and WA.in 2011 it is required in CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA,RI, VT, WA

How it works, abrief, simple summary.

1. A charcoal cannister catchesunburned gas left in the engine when it's turned off so it doesn't justevaporate.
2. Fuel injectors that closetighter when they're not in use.
3. A finer mesh in the catalyticconverter, as well as optimized placement of its precious metal.
4. The engine's electronicbrain is tuned to run the hot at start up to help the catalytic converterheat up so it can start doing its job faster.

SULEV super low emissionvehicle when a car meets California and New York's stricter emissionstandards it can be called LEV. A stricter standard the LEV

Limp-home: Subaruuses an engine control unit and transmission control unit to monitor thecars performance. If these components detect a problem they will compensatefor the problem allowing the car to be driven to a repair shop or safeplace. The check-engine light may come on but the car will still run soyou're not stuck.

CV Boot, Constant VelocityBoot: The axles that turn the front wheels have a bend in the middlecalled a knuckle joint. This joint is encased in a rubber boot, packedwith grease, called a CV Boot. You can see these if you look down at theback of the engine. They are ribbed. A CV boot will last a long time butneeds to be replaced when the rubber tears due to age or bad road use.

CVT continuously variabletransmission - CVT is a gearless belt or chain drive transmission.It efficiently matches RPMs and power requirements as needed for betterfuel economy without gears because the engine runs at its most efficientRPM over a range of speeds. Subaru's CVT adds a 'manual mode' with paddleshifters and 6 selected 'gears' for drivers who wants more control.
"Lineartronic" is Subaru'sname for their CVT.
Subaru uses a Lineartronicchain CVT starting in the 2010 4 cylinder Outback and Legacy models, nextin the 2012 Impreza

High-Torque CVT is used in performance models starting with the 2014 Forester 2.0XT turbo, 2015 Outback/Legacy 3.6Rs, and the 2015 WRX with optional CVT, and
CVTs have been around along time- Leonardo Davinci first imagined one in 1490. The first vehicleuse was a 1910 motorcycle.
Subaru's Justy EVCT wasthe first production car in the U.S. to offer CVT technology, and Fujihas sold their technology to other companies, and still use it in smallcars in Japan. Other companies using a version of a CVT recently are theToyota hybrids under the name Hybrid Synergy Drive (ie Prius, Highlander,Camry, Lexus etc), Honda Civic hybrid, BMW's Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Lancer,Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred andMercury Montego etc etc. (from wiki)

Hill Holder Clutch:A Subaru exclusive (originally a Studebaker). Manual transmission modelsonly until cy2009 when all 2010 Outback and Legacy models also have it.A system using a small rear brake (except starting with 2010 Outback/Legacy-seenote below) that, after being set by the brake pedal, prevents the carfrom rolling back down a hill as long as the clutch is depressed! A verypopular feature. On all manual trans. Legacy Ls in the 1990s and many earliermodels. There is no hill-holder available with any 2.5L engine (1996 wasthe first year for the 2.5L) and it was discontinued for 2000 and newermodels.
Note: April 2002:hill-holder is available on 03-08 Foresters. This will be the first usein any 2.5L engine.
Note 2008- replacedby 'Incline Start Assist' using the VDC, see below.

Note 2010 Outback andLegacy uses the new electronic parking brake to prevent rollbackwith all models regardless of transmission. There is a button to activatethe system in advance, or when stopped on a slippery hill the electricbrake can then be pressed and it holds the car it automatically relaseswhen the gas pedal is pressed.

Incline Start Assist(replaced the old Hill Holder mechanical system, see above). Manual transmissiononly. Uses the VDC system to hold brake pressure on all four wheels tokeep the car from rolling back down a hill for easier starting from a stop.Holds the car for app 1 second.

Hood scoop: Turbomodels: functional air intake scoop on the hood to cool the hot compressedair created by the turbo.
1997-1999 Outbackand 1997-2000 Outback Sport have a non-functional scoop on the hood,just for show.

Intercooler: (seeturbo). A radiator that cools the compressed and thus heated air from aturbocharger before it enters the engine cylinders. Frequently an air-to-airradiator. With a hood scoop to force air over it as the car moves.

Turbo: (also turbocharger)(see intercooler). An exhaust driven device that, like a supercharger,forces compressed air into the cylinders, allowing for stronger gas/airmixture, thus more combustion and acceleration. Originally used in aircraftengines.

Paddle Shifters: usedon any automatic. To manually shift an automatic transmission, you tappaddle shifters attached to either the steering wheel or steering columnto go up or down a gear. This is similar to the SportShift automatic.

SportShift Transmissionan automatic transmission that has a manual mode to shift up or down withouta clutch by tapping ther shift lever forward or backward. Can be shiftedby pushing the shift lever forward or back or on some models the controlsare even on the steering wheel and hand controlled. The SportShift hasauto mode, auto sport mode, and the manual mode.

STI, STi: Subaru TechnicaInternational, Subaru's performance division, and also the name of theImpreza STI (STi) model that came out in 2004.

Supercharger: A beltdriven device that, like a turbocharger, compresses air in the cylinders,allowing for stronger gas/air mixture, thus more combustion and acceleration.Turbo is more common because it tends to use less power than the belt drivensupercharger.

Interference or non-interferenceengine: On an interference engine, if the timing belts breaks,the pistons and valves collide, they will hit each other and basicallyruin the engine. On a non-interference engine there is room between thevalves and pistons. The Phase 1 2.2L engine is a non-interference engine.The Phase 2 2.2Ls started on the 1999 Forester and are an interferenceengine. All 2.5L engine are interference.

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Safety
MostSubarus come with up-to-date safety equipment
all information subjectto change, correction

Advanced Airbags (SRS- Supplemental Restraint System): Dual stage front airbags that deployaccording to the occupant.
Driver airbags deploys accordingto seat position.
Passenger airbag deploysaccording to seat position and occupant weight and turns off if thesystem determines the passenger would be at risk.

Front Air bags (SRS- Supplemental Restraint System): A safety air bag inflates to preventthe driver from colliding with the steering wheel or and the passengerwith the front dashboard. Designed to activate in moderate to severe frontimpacts. The bag deflates within milliseconds. Must be used with seat belts.Most airbags after 1998 are de-powered and deploy with less force thanearlier versions so people who sit closer to them may experience less initialcontact.

Side Air Bags: airbags that deploy in side impacts to cushion and prevent the occupant fromhitting the interior. May deploy from the seat (Subaru) or from the doorpillar area. Subaru comes from the seat.

Head Airbags: airbagsthat deploy between the head area and the window. Usually part of a sideairbag. Similar to a Side Curtain airbag but covers a smaller area.

Curtain: Front and/orRear Side Curtain Airbags: airbags that deploy along the entire uppersides above the windows, coming between and protecting the head dform thewindow. Usually deploys downward from the edge of the interior roof. Similarto a head and chest airbag.

Crumple Zones: Bodystructure designed to crumple and absorb energy in an impact to protectthe occupants.

Side Impact Door beams:reinforcing bars inside the body to strengthen the doors and protect occupants.
More to come...

Daytime driving lights:front (only the front) lights are automatically on when the car is moving.These may be less bright than normal headlight beams.

Automatic off headlights:Subaru headlights cannot be left on when the car is turned off, thus youcan turn the headlight switch on and leave it on forever. Then when youturn the car on the front and rear lights will be on and when you turnthe car they will go off.

Fog Lights: Extrafront lights set below the headlights that illuminate the ground. Mostfog lights are yellow so they don't reflect the light back in fog. Subarusare white and they are great for normal night driving plus they reallycut the glare on wet roads.

new for 2015 Steering Responsive Fog Lights- included with Eyesight- uses steering wheel position to briefly turn on the left or right fog light to illuminate a corner when the vehicle is turned. The fog lights have to be off for the system to turn them on

Halogen headlight bulb:An easy to replace headlight bulb that is filled with gas that burns, producinga brighter light than a standard old style light bulb. Don't touch thehalogen bulb when replacing, it will break due to the oil on your skinand the higher heat of these bulbs.

LATCH (Lower AnchorsandTether for CHildren): consists of lower child seat anchorsat the base of the rear seats and a tether attachment in the rear. Thisallows a child seat to be firmly and securely anchored at the base andtop to minimize movement. Requires a newer seat (2002?) with the appropriateattaching straps. Check your child seat for specifics.

Cars, minivans, and lighttrucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seatcushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and atop tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safetyseats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors.Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether)that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle. Together they make up theLATCH system.

Why LATCH:LATCH bars avoid seat belt incompatibility from different types of seatbelt retractors, different belt anchor locations (too far forward), plusdiffering vehicle belt routings that people found confusing. LATCHwas developed to offer a consistent attachment system independent of vehiclebelts.

When available: Passengervehicles except heavy trucks and buses, and all child restraints, exceptcar beds and boosters, manufactured September 1, 2002 must have LATCH attachments.Many vehicles and child seats had LATCH before this date due to governmentphase-in requirements and voluntary product offerings.

Which seats? Requiredon child safety seats manufactured on or after September 1, 2002

Where are the anchors:Theanchor bars are in the crease of the rear seats. By law, the vehicle LATCHbar spacing is standardized at 11 inches (280mm) so that both the flexible(webbing) and rigid (metal) type of LATCH attachments will work in allvehicles.

How many seats? Veryfew vehicles could fit three LATCH positions across a back seat. It wasdecided that at least two are needed in back seats but vehicle manufacturerscan optionally add more if they fit. In limited cases, it's possible touse the inboard LATCH bars to put a seat in the center position, but forthis to be safe, this method must be specifically allowed by the childrestraint manufacturer for that model restraint. There are limits as tohow wide and narrow is safe for use by a child seat. Use the vehicle seatbelts in the center rear unless the child restraint model instructionsspecifically say the center inboard bars are ok.

Retrofit? Yes, theremay be a kit, contact your seat manufacturer to see if they make a retrofitkit for your child seat. Do not use a kit from another company, the designof the system and angles of attachment could be different enough to causecrash loads that would break the system. Don't mix parts from differentmanufacturers no matter how similar they might look.

Seat belt Pre-tensioners:automatically tightens the seatbelt in the event of an accident reducingthe force which the occupant will hit the belt

ELR: Emergency LockingRetractor: allows the seatbelt to move free until rapid deceleration isdetected at which time the belt locks.

Automatic Locking Retractor(ALR): pull the belt all the way out and it locks into place and ratchetsback. Easy for adjusting child seats.

TPMS tire pressure monitoringsystem. A low tire pressure light on the dashboard that comeson when a tire is low (app 20%). The light briefly comes on the engineis turned on, The light is continously on when a tire is low, and whenit flashes there's a problem with the system itself. Required on all carsstarting in 2008, on many before that. This is the light

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Miscellaneousterms
all information subjectto change, correction

Alloy Wheel: A lighterweight and more expensive wheel usually made of aluminum (or other) alloyinstead of stamped steel. The lighter weight is an advantage on sportscars where the car maker tries to increase performance by minimizing theweight. Alloy wheels certainly look nicer and and that is why they areused on many cars such as Subaru's Legacy Outback and GT and Forester Smodels.

Steel wheel: A stampedwheel, standard on the Subaru's Legacy, Impreza and Forester L models.This is just a plain normal wheel. Frequently covered by a hubcap, or dressedup with a trim ring.

Nitrogen in tires- Nitrogenis an alternative to inflating tires with normal outside air. It maintainstire pressure better than normal air which leaks out over time, and isless sensitive to cold outside temperatures. As a result, Nitrogen minimizesthe Tire Pressure Monitoring light coming on.
And because it maintainstire pressure better and is less sensitive to hot and cold, nitrogen canimprove economy, increase tire life, and might be safer because the tiresare less likely to blow-out when driven at high speeds for a long distance,or on hot roads.
Nitrogen has been used byNascar, Formula One, the Tour de France and the military for years.
Mixing air and nitrogen.Don't put normal air in a tire with nitrogen because you will lose thenitrogen benefit, but it's not dangerous.
The downside to Nitrogenis that you might have to pay for it (but air is free).

EDR, Event Data Recoder,aka 'black box'. For years Subarus (and other cars) have had some 'memory'though there have been few details about what it remembers, for how long,where its stored or how to access it. Data probably involves accident orairbag deployment and related speed, gas or brake pedal position, occupantposition, if seatbelt were fastened etc.
Starting with the 2012 Imprezaowner's manual, Subaru has released details on the EDR. It doesn't mentionprevious versions or what is new with the 2012 Impreza, or if any othermodels have this EDR.
'The main purpose of theEDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash conditions such as airbagdeployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understandinghow a vehicle's sytems performed. The EDR is designed to record data relatedto vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record suchdata as how various sytems were operating, if seatbelts were buckled, vehiclespeed, and if or how far gas or brake pedals were pressed.
EDR data are recorded onlyif a non-trivial crash situation occurs, no date is recorded under normaldriving conditions and no personal data (name, age, gender, crash location)are recorded... To read data, special equipment is required. In additionto the vehicle manufacturer (Subaru), other parties such as law enforcementthat have the equipment can read the information if they have access tothe vehicle or EDR. Existing laws generally provide that informationin an EDR is confidential and is the property of the owner of the motorvehicle.'
Information is accessedthrough the airbag system using a Subaru service department computer.
With the total integrationof computer systems in every facet of the modern vehicle, there is goingto be an increasing amount of stored memory. This is industry-wide andnot Subaru specific. Personal tracking devices with memory have been availablefor years, for theft prevention purposes and also so parents can monitorchildren's driving location, speed and duration for example. No doubt insurancecompanies are aware this information exists.

Ground clearance:how high a vehicle rides, measured from the lowest point of the centerof the vehicle's undercarrriage, usually the rear differential.

Hubcap, or center cap:A small decorative cover over the center of the hub on either alloy orsteel wheel.

Wheel cover: usedon steel wheels (see above), this is a full cover over the entire wheelthat makes it look nicer. These are made of plastic, years ago they weremetal. Forester L model comes with a steel wheel and no wheel cover.

Spoiler: a rear spoileris on the back...
wagon. It helps tokeep dust off the back window and changes the way the car looks.Works like the rear dust deflector (see below). Depending on the spoiler,it may also exert down-force.
sedan. On a truehigh performance car a rear spoiler helps maintain high-speed stabilitywith down-force. For example, the Subaru STI tall spoiler certainly isfucnctional at high speed.

Dust deflector: trimon the back of a wagon that forces air over the rear windows and helpskeep it cleaner for better visibility. The rear spoiler (see above) doesthe same thing.

Wipers
Interval, Intermittentor Variable Speed Wiper: a wiper speed that is not a steady, constantspeed. Inotherwords in goes at an interval. All cars have at least 2 speeds-steady slow/fast (or lo/hi etc). Intermittent is another setting that goesintermittently. Used for light mist when a constant slow or fast steadyspeed isn't necessary. Found on both front and rear wipers. Very convenientas this intermittent speed keeps the window clear while not going so oftento be irritating. This is mostly on front wipers but is sometimes availableon rear.
There are 2 kinds of intermittentwiper speed.

• Fixed Interval (or intermittent:the wiper goes at a factory set interval, usually every 10-30 seconds.
• Variable Speed Interval (orintermittent): is when you can set the interval time. This is certainlypreferable to fixed interval.

Wiper de-Icer:usually a heating element, just like a rear defroster, in the glass underwhere the wipers rest when turned off (there are some cars with wipersarms that are electrically heated themselves as opposed to heating theglass). This in-glass heating element heats the glass and thus defrosts,unsticks, and 'De-ices' the wiper blades. Available for both front andrear wipers. In the case of the front, hot air from the defroster can takea long time to warm the lowest part of the windshield where the wiper bladesare and having a front De-icer is significantly faster. The rear de-iceris equally convenient. The rear de-icer is usually a part of the rear defrosterthat extends under the rear wiper. The De-icer can also be used anytimethe outside temperature is cold because it keeps the wiper blades supplefor a better swipe.

Recalls: A recallis when a factory recognizes a problem and authorizes dealers to repairit. Letters are sent to owners advising them to come in. These problemscan be anything from minor updates to major concerns. Sometimes lettersare sent and problems fixed without an official recall notice.

TSB technical servicebulletin. The factory sends updates to technicians with the latest mechanicalupdates, fixes, things to look for and etc. Can address any issue.

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BUYINGA CAR?
all information subjectto change, correction

Price terms:
MSRP: ManufacturerSuggested Retail Price
Monroney Sticker:factory window sticker with price and model information
Invoice: What themanufacturer charged the dealer for the car, including destination/shipping.
Flooring: Few dealersactually own their inventory, a bank finances the cars and the dealer paysinterest as any borrower does.
Holdback: a pre-setamount based on invoice that is paid to the dealer by the manufacturerto help offset the huge costs of financing and maintaining inventory.
Without holdback dealerswould not be able to carry inventory

Inventory terms:
Stock a car thatis in the dealer's inventory
Dealer trade or locate.These mean your dealer will attempt to find a vehicle in another dealer'sinventory and then trade with that dealer. The vehicle will be driven fromthe other location. Your dealer will search for the correct model and thencontact the other dealer. This can take place within days if a vehicleis already in stock someplace.
Pre-sell: You waitfor a vehicle the dealer already has ordered and is expecting to be deliveredinto their own stock.
Order: If a vehicleis freshly ordered, Subaru will give an expected delivery date but thisis not an exact date. Usually a vehicle arrives at a dealer within 5-8weeks, but delays can happen at any point along the assembly and shippingprocess, so be patient. The dealer wants you to get your car as quicklyas you want to get it!

All terms and definitionsare by Joe Spitz who is responsible for content, text etc.
subject to change, correction

Corrections, additions andchit-chat welcomed.links swapped from my linkspage. please add mine to yours and I'll add yours to mine...
thank you
Joe

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