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Checklist of things to do after purchasing a tribeca?

1811 Views 31 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  06b9beca
I just purchased a 2008 Subaru tribeca with $174k Miles on it for $3300 and it runs great and is super fun to drive.

This is my first car, I know it's up there in miles, so I want to do everything I can to help get the most of it.

What are some things I should be doing now that I have taken possession of the car?

Some things I plan on doing:
Changing coolant
Changing oil
New spark plugs

some of these I will be attempting myself others I feel less confident in I will be taking into a shop.

On top of those three things, is there anything else I should be doing?

Forgive me if this is in the wrong section.
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read this recent topic - New to Subaru - 2008 Premier with 155k miles - love it... - dudes interest was very similar to yours.
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I no particular order, skipping stuff from yearly inspection like bulbs and wipers and tire pressure:

Check all fluids - ATF (Transmission) was in the worst shape on my car. hunt down fluid leaks
new Air filters/ cabin filter / clean maf
Inner/outer boots on axels.
Bushings on the suspension.
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thank you guys! I will start watching some videos and learn how to do this stuff.
do NOT forget ALL the filters. especially in transmission ;)
do NOT forget ALL the filters. especially in transmission ;)
Does it matter if filters are OEM? Only reason I ask is the only place online I can find them has $50 shipping
well... that's a bit of "which religion is best" type of thing.
1) OEM stuff has undergone superior quality control (like - "oh, chinese stuff is crap", while quite a LOT of stuff gets manufactured there, the only difference between aliexpress and OEM is quality control).
2) there are a lot of brands which names mean (at least to me) quality - bosch, denso, mann...
3) some stuff you just CAN'T buy OEM (facelifted Tribeca transmission (TG5D) - sump filter, not sure about prefacelift (TG5C))...
in this situation - you are in wild wild west anyway :)))
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well... that's a bit of "which religion is best" type of thing.
1) OEM stuff has undergone superior quality control (like - "oh, chinese stuff is crap", while quite a LOT of stuff gets manufactured there, the only difference between aliexpress and OEM is quality control).
2) there are a lot of brands which names mean (at least to me) quality - bosch, denso, mann...
3) some stuff you just CAN'T buy OEM (facelifted Tribeca transmission (TG5D) - sump filter, not sure about prefacelift (TG5C))...
in this situation - you are in wild wild west anyway :)))
Oh great, i like bosch too thats where my family takes there cars.

Would you happen to know the part number of the bosch oil filter for my 2008 tribeca?
you are one lazy bum :D
it took me 2minutes to find part numbers:


p.s. I will be at Niagara falls sometime around 19th April - can help with parts delivery to that location :D
you are one lazy bum :D
it took me 2minutes to find part numbers:


p.s. I will be at Niagara falls sometime around 19th April - can help with parts delivery to that location :D

Lazy bum / pretty car illiterate lmao

heres another for you if you don't mind answering.

Changed my oil, the plastic thing protecting the underneath, (shield like thing) is held in place by these plastic like push pins, i discovered quite a few are missing ands its sagging. Are these generic pins or is there a certain type i need to buy to fit in place?
Under Cover & Exhaust Cover - 2008 Subaru Tribeca - here are originals with part numbers. but check pricing with your subaru dealer.

you can save a bit of money going to autozone/oreillies/advance auto parts/napa or whatever stores you have around - just measure them first or even better - take samples(from the car) with you. and keep in mind there might be few different sizes.

but it's not rocket science for sure :D

p.s. you can also check that you have both sides of vehicle L-shaped profiles underneath the car, in front of wheel arches. mine was missing on one side.
Under Cover & Exhaust Cover - 2008 Subaru Tribeca - here are originals with part numbers. but check pricing with your subaru dealer.

you can save a bit of money going to autozone/oreillies/advance auto parts/napa or whatever stores you have around - just measure them first or even better - take samples(from the car) with you. and keep in mind there might be few different sizes.

but it's not rocket science for sure :D

p.s. you can also check that you have both sides of vehicle L-shaped profiles underneath the car, in front of wheel arches. mine was missing on one side.
Man you're full of knowledge and have a big help for me! Really appreciate it.

It's definitely intimidating at first but the more i look into it, it's become a lot of fun.

Gonna go pick up some of these clips and get them back in and then going to change cabin air filter and engine air filter today and see if i can get the throttle body off to give it a clean for the hell of it.

I still need to change transmission fluid but I am thinking i might have a shop do that and give it a flush. Not sure if thats in my wheelhouse yet.
happy to help :)

throttle body removal - check for typical crack on intake manifold.
transmission - filter/filters! you will probably have to get them yourself.
also - think about fuel filter ;)
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happy to help :)

throttle body removal - check for typical crack on intake manifold.
transmission - filter/filters! you will probably have to get them yourself.
also - think about fuel filter ;)
Oh yeah I forgot about the fuel filter, will add that to the list!
might throw in fuel pressure regulator and check the pump as well ;)
p.s. but most important - check-check-check... today i sadly realized that nissan dealership I hate - have new guy, he has done things which NOBODY cared before... unfortunately he did some little fuckups all around too :(
might throw in fuel pressure regulator and check the pump as well ;)
p.s. but most important - check-check-check... today i sadly realized that nissan dealership I hate - have new guy, he has done things which NOBODY cared before... unfortunately he did some little fuckups all around too :(
That sucks man hopefully nothing too serious!
Oh okay so I am a bit confused now, I am looking up how to change fuel filter and some videos show it being replaced under the hood and some show it in the fuel tank itself. Which one were you referring to?
there is no fuel filter under the hood (that I know off) - post the video (probably some newer or older year outbacks with H6 engines).
I am talking about the one in tank. ;)
there is no fuel filter under the hood (that I know off) - post the video (probably some newer or older year outbacks with H6 engines).
I am talking about the one in tank. ;)
ah chunks, was hoping it wouldn't be that way lol. Is it hard to get into the tank?

was watching this video, different car so i guess thats where i went wrong lol.

yep, not even mentioning - which subaru working on...

Tribeca is more similar to this -
(haven't done it myself yet -haha :D
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