I decided to actually do some maintenance on the car yesterday and today. I started by purchasing a K&N recharger kit at AutoZone ($10), because my Cobb intake uses that style filter. While under the hood, I decided to disconnect the battery and leave it overnight. This was in the hopes that the code keeping the MIL/CEL light on would be resolved by a fresh ECU memory. Cleaning the filter proved simple, but the whole process took half of the day, so I’d recommend at least 6-8 hours as a minimum if you plan on doing this. The filter in the Cobb is a cone, using the inside as the dirty side. The first part, after removing and separating the filter from its housing, was to spray the cleaner onto the dirty side of the filter and let it sit. After 20 minutes or so, I ran some warm water over the clean side and immediately had a LOT of dirty and stuff come out of the inside. Another few minutes under the faucet and I set it to the side to dry off. A few hours later, after I was comfortable with how dry the filter was, I applied a first, light layer of the oil. Two more coats were applied every 45 minutes or so. The next morning I assembled it and reinstalled, also making sure to reconnect the battery. No problems starting, no MIL/CEL, and the car felt very good on the way to work. While removing the air filter, I noticed that the power steering fluid was low, very low. Earlier last year, when trying to figure out what was going on with my headgasket, the power steering started acting weird at low speeds. I guess I may have found out why. Some Mobil 1 synthetic ATF filled it up between the lines. Hopefully this will fix the problem and the pump isn’t damaged too much. I’m unsure why the fluid was low, as I’ve not seen any leaks. It is my fault for not checking it earlier though, so lesson learned. Finally, I purcahsed a set of Silverstar high-beam bulbs. I damaged one of the highbeams when trying to replace a lowbeam last year. I won’t go into detail, mostly because it’s embarassing, but suffice to say that the bulb was toast after I got done with it. I have heard goot things about these bulbs, and I hope they’re worth the premium cost over the other alternatives. Well, that’s a few things done for the new year. Next is an oil change and that lifter adjustment.

My Check Engine light has been on for a while. I have some hesitation if I accelerate hard. I think I need to clean my air filter. My lifters need adjustment. I really need to change my oil.

Yeah, it’s another new year.

I’m still not sure if I want to replace the huuuuuge stock stereo with something that’ll play mp3 discs and mind-meld with my iPod. My first attempt at a stereo system in this car has ended, so this spring I’m going to have to start almost fron scratch. It’s another reason to consider a different deck, because I’m not sure how this one is wired up, as the previous owner had already installed a dual-line RCA cable to the trunk. All speaker wiring had also been replaced, and some of that Dynamat-type stuff was installed in the doors.

The KEF speakers are all gone, except for the tweeters in the A-pillar, but the door mounts are so ragged that I’m considering a more reliable solution involving bolts, custom wood mounts and the lot. Moving from a wagon to a sedan doesn’t help the sub situation any, but I don’t lust after throbbing LFOs like I did in the past anyways.

Cobb’s 2006 meet is taking place in May at the new Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. I’m planning on attending, but I don’t intend to drive my car on the track at this point. There will be plenty of other cars to ride in, and maybe even drive. Knowing the crowd (read: Impreza drivers), I don’t know if I’d want to be out there anyways. I think it’ll be a good time anyway. Keep an eye on Cobb Tuning for more details.

My only time on a “real” track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was very fun for the two laps I was able to do in the then-new 5MT Legacy GT Wagon, but I also had an experienced driver in the passenger seat. The same went for everyone else, so a voice of moderation was ever-present. Sure, middle-aged Subaru regional reps aren’t exactly hardcore and balls-out on the track, but a few of us were really there to drive fast.