r/subaruoutback

Sharing something I built that might be useful if you keep an older Outback on the road and have a Mac. SubieScope is a free, open source app that reads the engine ECU directly over Subaru's SSM protocol, with a cheap KKL USB cable. No Windows laptop and no drivers.

What it is good for:

• Check engine light: it reads the codes, explains them in plain English and lets you clear them
• Step by step tests for the catalyst (P0420), the O2 sensors, thermostat and warm-up, the radiator fan, battery and charging, and misfires
• Live gauges and logging, handy for keeping an eye on temperatures or fuel trims on a long trip

It works with 1999 to 2009 Outbacks and Legacys (BE/BH and BL/BP) and with most 2010 to 2014 ones. Newer cars only talk CAN, so there it uses a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter and shows the standard values and codes.

More info and the download: https://subiescope.marvinvisser.nl/

It builds on the FreeSSM and RomRaider projects. I only have my own 2008 GRB STI to test on, so reports from Outback owners are very welcome.

My car has for a while made what I thought was a grinding noise when taking right turns at a tighter and higher rate of speed than I admittedly probably should go. A mechanic friend of mine who hasn’t laid eyes on anything was able to determine based on my description that my front right tire is probably rubbing on the inside of the wheel well when I’m making turns. So after a 35 minute high speed drive, I took a tight fast right turn and decided to check. The black stuff on my fingers is hot rubber from the visible rub spot.

He thinks I’m just driving the car harder than the suspension can handle. I am concerned I’ve damaged something in the suspension but my brother who also has an (2015) Outback says the same thing has happened to him.

A couple of months ago I asked the dealership to do a tire rotation and check just to make sure everything looked ok and they said didn’t see anything wrong and couldn’t replicate the sound. (I did not do a ride along).

Should I be concerned?

This will absolutely make me change my driving habits as I do not want to damage the car.