Maintenance before crossing the country (3,000). Seeking advice.

Hi,

I will be crossing the country (from CA to FL) in a few weeks. Needless to say, the last thing I want is any kind of car trouble along the way. Unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable about cars. So, I'd like to seek some guidance from people here.

My car is:

Subaru Impreza 2.5ts Sport Wagon, 4WD, 2004.

This car has never given me any issues, and I love it. But, just recently the check engine light showed up several times, and only after driving steep hills in San Francisco. I live in flat San Jose, and the check engine light has been gone for weeks. But, I know, once I drive steep hills in San Francisco, it's going to come back again (because it's done this more than once). I'm not quite sure what this means. I want to do some maintenance before I leave for the road trip. If you have any advice on what I should have done on my car, I'd greatly appreciate it. I have a coupon that takes off $45 from $90 of service, so I wouldn't mind it if it becomes costly.

Thank you,

You need to stop at Autozone and read the code. They do it for free. Come back here with the code. You may also search ultimatesubaru.org for the code interpretation. Go to "New Generation Subaru".

Sam

You need to stop at Autozone and read the code. They do it for free. Come back here with the code. You may also search ultimatesubaru.org for the code interpretation. Go to "New Generation Subaru".

Sam

Thanks for the pointer. There's autozone near my house, and I'm going to do that.

You need to stop at Autozone and read the code. They do it for free. Come back here with the code. You may also search ultimatesubaru.org for the code interpretation. Go to "New Generation Subaru".

Sam

It turns out Autozone doesn't do it for free in CA :(
But, the worker there told me Sears did, so I'll be paying a visit at Sears. I'm also considering a OBD-II Bluetooth adaptor so that I don't need to drive to places to read the codes, but I'm unsure if I should.

It turns out Autozone doesn't do it for free in CA :(
But, the worker there told me Sears did, so I'll be paying a visit at Sears. I'm also considering a OBD-II Bluetooth adaptor so that I don't need to drive to places to read the codes, but I'm unsure if I should.
Well, that is news!

I have used them many times. What store did you go to? There used to be one on Camden AVE. I had gone to Kragen on Prospect in the past. Kragen on Prospect (now became O'Reilly) did it for free as well. I do not think Sears will do it free of charge.

I think you can buy a cheap code reader at Harbor Freight for $39.

Good luck,
Sam

Well, that is news!

I have used them many times. What store did you go to? There used to be one on Camden AVE. I had gone to Kragen on Prospect in the past. Kragen on Prospect (now became O'Reilly) did it for free as well. I do not think Sears will do it free of charge.

I think you can buy a cheap code reader at Harbor Freight for $39.

Good luck,
Sam

They actually said autozone in California didn't do it. I also did some online search, and many people are saying the same thing. Not sure why California, but oh well. I called Sears and asked if they'd read codes for free, and the guy I spoke with said yes, so I hope they will. I'll report back the result.

Well, that is news!

I have used them many times. What store did you go to? There used to be one on Camden AVE. I had gone to Kragen on Prospect in the past. Kragen on Prospect (now became O'Reilly) did it for free as well. I do not think Sears will do it free of charge.

I think you can buy a cheap code reader at Harbor Freight for $39.

Good luck,
Sam

I went driving in San Francisco yesterday, and the check engine light came on when I was driving down a steep hill using engine brake. I took my car in for oil change and free inspection at Sears. They said the code was "PO 519 - Idle Air Control System Performance." The funny thing is, when I picked up my car, the check engine light was gone.

Also, they told me the battery was not in the best shape (255CCA - OEM Ref: 520CCA).

If you have any thoughts/advice on what I should do, please let me know.

Thank you,

I googled for P059 and that what I got:

https://www.google.com/#newwindow=1&q=p0519+subaru

The fifth link is for ultimate subaru.

Sea if you can find a solution for your problem.

It sounds like there is a vacuum leak. I have read about leaking canister behind the rear wheel. You may need to smoke the car to find it.

Good luck,
Sam