[2021 XT] 30k full service and details

So I recently had my 30k service done at my local dealership. I ended up skipping the cabin air filter and the engine air filter as I had done myself following the recommendation at my previous service.

I’ve been doing 4000 mile oil change intervals which pretty much keeps me around the 3 service a year interval. I’ve owned the XT for about 27 months, so I’m doing just over 1,000 miles a month.

I chose to do the following services in addition to the oil/filter change service – front and rear differential fluid change, brake fluid change, PCV valve change, fuel injection supplement service.

I also had them look at my front windows that were bouncing up and down despite trying to reset them, and it turns out the tech noted “gunk” on the rails. Not the greatest feeling, as it’s only been 2 years and I’ve had many cars longer than that without similar problems.

They also replaced my wiper blades under the “wear items warranty” after I requested, as the back blade actually split in a few spots and the front was streaking.

When I got home I cleaned the MAF sensor with my CRC brand polish that I had used in the past. I generally try to do this about once a year.

I was going to skip the Subaru version of the Techron, but it was under $10 so I chose to do it for convenience. I almost exclusively fill up with Costco brand gasoline, which has the most fuel additives and detergents available (barring the significantly more expensive Shell V-Power 93). I had done my research on PCV valves and chose to do this because of the potential preventative maintenance because the PCV is intertwined with the direct injection system…I decided to just do it. I know I could have cleaned it myself, but again this was for general convenience. Same with the differentials (at least the rear ones, I don’t want to confuse with the front one).

They gave me a look at my tire wear that is close to recommending replacement, which I will be doing anyway before next winter, which would put somewhere around 36,000 miles on the original Yokohamas. I’m considering Falken WildPeaks as I know I want an “All Climate” tire with the M+S icon on it, but I’m also considering other brands like Michelin CC2 if I can find them. Although, the CC2s are routed so I don’t know if I want to do that or not. I probably wouldn’t replace the spare at this point (the full size Yokohama that came with the car)

Depending on convenience and specifics, I may have the dealer do the tires instead of setting aside another day at my local tire store (also Costco) to deal with it, although Costco has a warranty of well of the road hazard involved.

Going forward, I will probably repeat this process at the 60k interval, including the spark plugs. Although, the service writer mentioned something about them being iridium plated plugs with a 100k range, I can’t find anything in the write up about that yet and haven’t bothered to look them up. They suggested about a 100k CVTF replacement interval for my drive which does not include towing or any off roading…

I may or may not have them do a “preventive” carbon cleaning/overhead cleaning to help slow down or reduce the carbon problems associated with direct injection, but they did mention that if it isn’t problem, don’t do it. Maybe they will have more data around 60k to make a better decision.

Overall I’m happy with the service department, I think overall it was a fair price since they did a lot to the car, and I probably ate enough bagels and drank enough coffee to qualify as another discount at this point .

If I can find a trend that suggests intake valve carbonation, I’ll just do it sooner rather than later. But at this point, outside of a few WRX FA20s I’ve come across, I don’t see many XTs needing a blown “nutshell” as some of the German automakers suggest. I believe the more aggressive oil change interval is helping (as oil loses its resistance to evaporation over time [NOACK value]) as well as the suggestion of the new PCV valve.