Here are some areas of focus:

Fluids: Fluid leaks are the enemy of your car! When the fluid levels drop, your vehicle will stop. The top fluids to check are the coolant, oil and transmission fluid level. If the radiator gaskets and seals aren’t sealing properly, this is an easy way for a leak to start. If anything is low, or if seals are cracked or deformed, it’s time for a service appointment.

Hoses and Belts: Hoses and Belts are often plastic or rubber, and these materials naturally deteriorate with age. Temperature extremes (which we have a lot of in Montana) also factor in to accelerated aging. Belts and Hoses are vital to the reliable operation of your car’s systems. They tie all of the electrical (headlights and brake lights, wipers, turn signals, etc.), and heating and cooling systems into your engine. If belts are loose or excessively cracked or worn, or if hoses are soft or fractured, it may be time for a replacement.

Battery: Batteries don’t like the cold. And Montana has plenty of cold winter weather, which strains the electrical system and can shorten the life of even the best batteries. If there’s corrosion or leakage, or if the battery is more than two years old, it’s probably time for a new one. A dead battery will leave you stranded!

Oil System: Oil is the blood of your engine. Changing oil too infrequently can let particulate, gunk and tiny metal shavings build up and damage internal components. If you’re using regular oil, every 3,000 or so miles might be a good time to get it changed. Synthetic oils are generally a little bit more expensive, but last longer. Consult your car’s owner manual for the recommended oil change schedule, and don’t forget. It’s also a good idea to change the filter each time you change the oil. Lastly, this is also a good time to change the cabin or engine air filter to get maximum performance from your engine. Can’t remember the last time your oil was changed? It’s probably past due! Bring it in to our Service Center where our Certified Technicians can help.

Air-Conditioning System: If you like staying cool when the summer heat cranks up, pay attention to the A/C system! Inspect the compressor belt for cracking and wear. If when you turn the system on, it doesn’t blow some frigid air at you, it’s probably time to have the compressor and refrigerant levels checked, and recharged or serviced if low.

Tires: Few things matter to vehicle drivability more than the good condition of tires. Both pressure and condition are vital. Low pressure can cause a blowout and will ruin your gas mileage. High pressure can cause very uneven tire wear, and short tire life. Check the sticker on your drivers’ side door jam and verify the pressure is correct. Make sure you are getting your tires rotated. Not rotating tires every 6,000-7,500 miles or so may void warranties. Have questions about tires? Just give us a call!

Engine Cooling System: AC keeps you from overheating, and Engine Coolant keeps your car’s engine from over-heating. Is your coolant low? It might be leaking. Is it a strange color? Dark? It probably is in need of a flush.  Dirty or low coolant can affect engine performance and engine life.

Have questions about any of this? Give us a call at 888-447-1046 or check our Service Website at http://www.rimrocksubaru.com/service/appointment.htm . Don’t forget to check our specials, here: http://www.rimrocksubaru.com/specials/service2.htm

Already, the Legacy and Outback, as well as a few other models, are made in their Lafayette, Indiana plant. But really awesome news came a few days ago when Subaru of America announced that, soon, the Subaru Impreza will also be made in the USA. This addition is a $400 million investment for Subaru, and will add nearly 1,000 US jobs to the Lafayette plant.

Subaru Impreza at Rimrock Subaru in Billings MT

“The Subaru’s success is attributable to many, many factors, including a focus on designing vehicles for the North American market, excellent marketing and sales efforts, and, of course, the outstanding quality, safety and reliability that are built into every Subaru, particularly by our associates here at SIA,” said Subaru Vice President Tom Easterday.

This expansion of Lafayette will increase its annual production capacity by roughly 100,000 vehicles, to a total of approximately 400,000 vehicles.

Check out the local Indiana newspaper article, here.

Check out our current new and used Subaru inventory online at Rimrock Subaru!

The Subaru world was abuzz recently when Subaru displayed the concept WRX car at the NYC Auto Show (See here: http://rimrocksubarukia.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/new-subaru-wrx-concept-car-like-no-other-rimrock-subaru/)

Now, Motortrend has released spy photos of a prototype 2015 WRX on the streets! Unfortunately, not all of the elements of the amazing concept car appear to have made it to the prototype. However, many design elements have.

“Luckily, Subaru has seen fit to give the WRX’s nose and tail more of an overhaul in the transformation from the Impreza. Where old WRX models gained sportier trim, diffusers, and the like, the 2015 WRX looks to be gaining different front and rear fascias when compared with its more-plebian donor. Here is where we can see the influence of the fantastic New York concept car: the front clip wears an almost-identical hexagonal grille, trapezoidal lower intakes, and LED-encircled xenon headlights. Around back, the diffuser has similar ribbing to the concept car. Since this is a WRX STI, there is the requisite giant rear wing. Other changes include larger wheels, LED taillights, and a hood scoop.” – Motortrend

Check out the full story and see the photos here:

http://wot.motortrend.com/2015-subaru-wrx-sti-caught-with-impreza-like-body-355517.html?sc_cid=social7191214#axzz2Qdkppj00

Want to get your hands on the new 2013 Subaru WRX or BRZ? Check out our inventory at http://www.rimrocksubaru.com!

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Subaru’s new press release does offer up some juicy details; the cars’ roof has been constucted entirely of carbon fiber, helping to further lower the car’s center of gravity and reduce weight. See the bulge on the hood? That is to accommodate the new turbocharged engine and intercooler. Other beautifully blended elements of the body show off how much love went into this design – angular, strong lines form efficient cooling for the engine, and smooth aerodynamic curves incorporate a spoiler on the trunk.

“The bold and muscular design emphasizes turbocharged power and AWD grip in a more agile and athletic form. The SUBARU WRX CONCEPT blends the WRX’s famous power and road-holding prowess with an even greater focus on sharp handling, steering and communicative chassis. To further improve handling dynamics, the SUBARU WRX CONCEPT features a carbon-fiber roof to enhance the already low center of gravity and reduce weight…The rear design echoes the hexagonal design motif from the front grille and features a dramatically curved trunk lid that also acts as a rear spoiler. The distinctive wide rear bumper of the SUBARU WRX CONCEPT adds to the powerful street presence of the car and is off-set by large quad tailpipes denoting the powerful turbocharged engine. The aggressive rear diffuser improves vehicles aerodynamics. \Subaru”

Watch more here:

What do you think?

Check out our new WRX and BRZ Subie’s at Montana’s Favorate Subaru Dealer, Rimrock Subaru!   http://www.rimrocksubaru.com

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Just a reminder to everyone, the Subaru Love Spring Event is going on now at Rimrock Subaru! Get a great deal on a new Subaru, now through April 1st!

Among the vast selection of factory fresh models like Forester, Outback, BRZ, Impreza, Legacy, Rimrock Subaru also has the All New 2013 XV Crosstrek in stock! Not familiar with the Crosstrek – check out this video!

Click Here to check out our New Inventory, which is constantly being updated: http://www.rimrocksubaru.com/new-inventory/index.htm

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MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. is pleased to announce that the completely redesigned 2014 Forester has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) top award for good performance in its moderate overlap frontal, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations. This distinction has helped Subaru become the only automaker to earn a 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK for every model it builds.

“Safety is always top of mind as we aim to inspire confidence and peace of mind on every road in all conditions,” said Shiro Ohta, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. “Subaru’s ring-shaped reinforcement frame has been proven in more than a decade of use. This design provides excellent protection with the structure increasing cabin rigidity and absorbing impact energy from any direction.”

TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that, in IIHS testing, do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on ‘good’ ratings in each category. The IIHS ranks in terms of Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor, with ‘good’ as the top rank possible in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control.

“For four consecutive years, Subaru is the only automotive manufacturer with the distinction of earning IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK awards for every model it builds,” said Institute president Adrian Lund. “Subaru deserves praise for making safety a top priority.”

About IIHS To qualify for a TOP SAFETY PICK, vehicles must have good ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rollover and rear tests. IIHS rates vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance. The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of a 40 mph moderate overlap frontal crash. Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry – the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of an average-size man. In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one side of a roof at a displacement rate of 0.2 inch per second. To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle’s weight before reaching five inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio.

SOURCE Subaru Canada Inc.

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In Summary: So what’s the bottom line with the 2014 Subaru Forester? It’s more comfortable and more efficient–and maybe a little fancy for diehard Subie fans. It’s definitely moved into the mainstream.

Check out the video and review here: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1082339_2014-subaru-forester-video-road-test

Also, Subaru of America reports that it sold over 28,000 vehicles in the month of February alone, making this past month the best February in Subaru’s history.

“Subaru vehicles continue to win awards and recognition from the industry press and our customers are purchasing our products in record numbers,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “With the addition of the all-new 2014 Forester being introduced this month, we are confident that we will establish another all-time monthly sales record again in March.”

Check out the article here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/subaru-of-america-inc-reports-record-breaking-february-sales-2013-03-01

Want to learn more about the Subaru Forester or other Subaru Vehicles? Check out Rimrock Subaru at www.rimrocksubaru.com

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Want to have industry leading safety on the road? Check out our New and Pre-loved Subarus at www.rimrocksubaru.com 

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Check out all of our Subaru AWD vehicles at Rimrock Subaru – www.rimrocksubaru.com

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If you’re inspired by Ken Block, the results are inevitable.

Check out our Subaru BRZs right here at www.rimrocksubaru.com

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