Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > Newbies & FAQs

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-20-2013, 08:38 PM   #1
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default 08 STI, Any thing to know?

I just picked up a 2008 STI not to long ago and Its my first one. I haven't had many problems with it besides the typical used car problems.

Lets cut to the point, is there anything i need to know about this car? or is there anything cool about it that you wouldn't know by just looking at it?

Im Still trying to get the hang of the DCCD and its pretty confusing, at least the manual settings are.

If there is any tips or anything you can help me out with it would be much appreciated.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 01-20-2013, 08:56 PM   #2
1wrxtra
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 316364
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 WRX

Default

It may have been more beneficial to try and obtain the answers to these questions prior to purchase the car.



There are far too many potential issues to name aside from the ones that frequently appear on the general, newbie, and 2.5l powertrain forums which may or may not appear due to the prior owner(s)' treatment/abuse of the vehicle.

Did you have the car inspected by an independent party prior to purchase? Did you obtain any kind of pre-owned warranty from the place you bought the car? Did you buy from a dealership or third party? Are/were there any mods done? Was the car tuned for said mods? What work has been done on it? Is everything as it was from factory? How many miles does it have? etc. etc. etc. etc.

Good luck with the car man, hopefully it all works out for ya!
1wrxtra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 09:10 PM   #3
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Yea I wish I would of thought of this prior to the purchase of my car but... It's a little to late for that. The car is mostly stock. Besides a sound system that i had completely redone by car toys and front and rear Perrin sway bars. That's as far as I know right now. And yes my car is under a full warranty
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 09:37 PM   #4
Napalm3nema
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 263954
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Vehicle:
2014 EVO X / 05 WRX
Wicked White / Blue

Default

I would highly recommend getting it either a protune or an accessport (if stock), to ensure you are running a safer tune. The 08 factory tune was notoriously flaky. That being said, properly tuned they can be very solid. If you don't drive like a tool etc.. I have mine with 106k on the clock, drives like new.

Enjoy!
Napalm3nema is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 09:43 PM   #5
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Sounds awesome thanks.
So I wonder is there cool settings is there I can do? For instance I can set shift times with a buzzer and what not thru my dash.. Is there anything else like that I can do?
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 10:15 PM   #6
Heedlessone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 254130
Join Date: Aug 2010
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Bozeman, MT
Vehicle:
1993 LS1 RX7

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Napalm3nema View Post
I would highly recommend getting it either a protune or an accessport (if stock), to ensure you are running a safer tune. The 08 factory tune was notoriously flaky. That being said, properly tuned they can be very solid. If you don't drive like a tool etc.. I have mine with 106k on the clock, drives like new.

Enjoy!
This. The 08 STi tune is awfully slow. Get a Protune or at least an AP Stage 2, it will transform the entire car.
Heedlessone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 10:18 PM   #7
1wrxtra
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 316364
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 WRX

Default

I know you can disable hill assist. I don't have an Sti, but I'm pretty sure every function offered and how to configure/operate it should be covered in the owner's manual.

It's a great car man and as long as you treat it right, it _should_ give that right back to you. I'm on a mobile so I can't see your location, but if you're in an area it gets very cold and snows, a set of winter tires are highly recommended.

The AP/OS/protune suggestion is a good one. Depending on your finances, look at the accessport. It offers a lot of nice features aside from allowing you to tune, like the capability to datalog.

I'd also recommend calling the dealer you bought the car from, giving them your VIN and getting some background on the maintenance that had been performed in the past. That can give you a good idea of how the previous owner cared for the car. See if any work had been performed under warranty, frequency of oil changes, etc.

Some basic point of advice I've gleaned from nasioc are the following:
- don't beat on the car while its cold. Wait til it gets up near operating temps before you do any hard driving, especially on the stock tune.
- check your oil regularly.
- keep an eye on your IC>TB hose. The caps on each end of the hose don't do a great job of staying on there and _will_ pop off at some point. Some people replace the whole hose, others simply remove the caps.
- if you're going to race on the street, save it for school zones.

Cheers

Last edited by 1wrxtra; 01-21-2013 at 08:31 AM.
1wrxtra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 10:32 PM   #8
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

So basically the biggest thing is a tune.. i can manage that but the only crappy part is I am on a 4 year warranty. and i have been told that if i do any sort of tune it will void my warranty and even if i put it back to a stock tune they will be able to see it...
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 10:37 PM   #9
Loyale93
Newbie Moderator
Moderator
 
Member#: 91347
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 Tacoma Crew Cab
2012 Triumph 1050

Default

Do some research. There are a billion threads about voiding of warranties and the like.
Do you think everyone here waits until the end of their warranty to modify the car? If so, I've got a bridge to sell you. As they say, you have to pay to play.

You have a lot of reading to do.
Fill out your profile.
Loyale93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 10:38 PM   #10
Heedlessone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 254130
Join Date: Aug 2010
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Bozeman, MT
Vehicle:
1993 LS1 RX7

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post
So basically the biggest thing is a tune.. i can manage that but the only crappy part is I am on a 4 year warranty. and i have been told that if i do any sort of tune it will void my warranty and even if i put it back to a stock tune they will be able to see it...
If you're happy, stay stock and keep the warranty. If you find yourself wanting more, take the warranty money and put it into a turbo back and tune.
Heedlessone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 11:04 PM   #11
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loyale93 View Post
Do some research. There are a billion threads about voiding of warranties and the like.
Do you think everyone here waits until the end of their warranty to modify the car? If so, I've got a bridge to sell you. As they say, you have to pay to play.

You have a lot of reading to do.
Fill out your profile.
Really??? I was asking a simple question and as you can see I am getting replies that consist of thought not moronic thought. But thanks anyway and keep your bridge
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 11:51 PM   #12
DDabs
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 339686
Join Date: Dec 2012
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Orlando, FL
Vehicle:
2013 WRX Sedan
SWP

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post
Really??? I was asking a simple question and as you can see I am getting replies that consist of thought not moronic thought. But thanks anyway and keep your bridge
He was only telling you to read some simple threads on this forum, which are stickies in this very sub-forum. You're asking if there are any "cool things" that you can do with this car stock; read the owner's manual.
DDabs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2013, 11:54 PM   #13
Unabomber
Big Ron
Super Moderator
 
Member#: 18062
Join Date: Apr 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: I can save you a ton of cash
Vehicle:
on car parts so PM
me b4 j00 buy

Default

Stop messing with the DCCD as it is run by a computer which is 900% smarter than you and I combined.
Unabomber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 12:03 AM   #14
i_c_the_light
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 88618
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber
Stop messing with the DCCD as it is run by a computer which is 900% smarter than you and I combined.
I heard Nick uses DCCD controllers as the forum servers...
i_c_the_light is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 02:47 AM   #15
RoadKillDMD
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 284792
Join Date: Jun 2011
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Vanilla Valley, CO
Vehicle:
2011 STI
Blurple

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1wrxtra View Post
- keep an eye on your IC>TB hose. The caps on each end of the hose don't do a great job of staying on there and _will_ pop off at some point. Some people replace the whole hose, others simply remove the caps.
Not even a problem on the STI. The TMIC-TB coupler is different than the WRX.
RoadKillDMD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 03:10 AM   #16
silver arrow
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 25859
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Foriderp
Vehicle:
1965 MGB yellow
2008 Black Miata

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Stop messing with the DCCD as it is run by a computer which is 900% smarter than you and I combined.
I owned and autocrossed an 05 STi and an 08 STI. While what you're saying is true of the 05, the 08 is a different animal. With -2 deg of front camber, a little rear toe out, and a larger rear bar it still understeered significantly with the DCCD set to either auto setting. I ran with it set manually full to the rear in the 08 with good results.
silver arrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 03:12 AM   #17
silver arrow
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 25859
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Foriderp
Vehicle:
1965 MGB yellow
2008 Black Miata

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post
So basically the biggest thing is a tune.. i can manage that but the only crappy part is I am on a 4 year warranty. and i have been told that if i do any sort of tune it will void my warranty and even if i put it back to a stock tune they will be able to see it...
Not in 2009 they couldn't. My 2008 was tuned and put back and they checked to see if was tuned and didn't find anything. That was with an opensource tune.
silver arrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 04:22 AM   #18
Actuality
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 266785
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Utah
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza Wrx
World Rally Blue

Default

Just pulled out my cabin air filter today...my god those get nasty QUICK. So my advice I offer you today would be to get a new cabin air filter, its behind your glove box, search and you will quickly find a diy for it. If you have one in there at all I bet it way dirty.
Actuality is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 03:40 PM   #19
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Stop messing with the DCCD as it is run by a computer which is 900% smarter than you and I combined.
Stop messing with it? Why would I stop messing with it? So would the full rear setting be all the way to the back. Furthest from lock? Or what I need some one to brake it down in lamins terms
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 03:55 PM   #20
Napalm3nema
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 263954
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Vehicle:
2014 EVO X / 05 WRX
Wicked White / Blue

Default

You don't need to mess with it unless you get into mud and sand by and large. I will hit the switch to '+' for twisties and '-' for when I want a bit more push from the back. The reason it is suggested to not mess with it, is if you have it in a setting for more 'sand' or materials that give, and they don't because you are on asphalt or concrete, then you can adversely impact the car.

I have 105k on my STi, and I just put it in + then press and hold the traction control until it turns green. (there are three settings for traction control)
Napalm3nema is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 03:57 PM   #21
subieguy87
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 153412
Join Date: Jul 2007
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Springfield,il
Vehicle:
1998 Impreza wrxRS
Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post

Stop messing with it? Why would I stop messing with it? So would the full rear setting be all the way to the back. Furthest from lock? Or what I need some one to brake it down in lamins terms
break
layman's

stop messing with it before you break it is what i got from his reply, leave it in auto...for DD that's all you'll need.
subieguy87 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 04:08 PM   #22
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Napalm3nema View Post
You don't need to mess with it unless you get into mud and sand by and large. I will hit the switch to '+' for twisties and '-' for when I want a bit more push from the back. The reason it is suggested to not mess with it, is if you have it in a setting for more 'sand' or materials that give, and they don't because you are on asphalt or concrete, then you can adversely impact the car.

I have 105k on my STi, and I just put it in + then press and hold the traction control until it turns green. (there are three settings for traction control)
I seen that there was three setting for traction control and I tried looking them up in the manual but it didn't make much sense and kept repeating its self. What exactly is the green setting and what is the best setting if I want to get a little sideways
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 04:23 PM   #23
Loyale93
Newbie Moderator
Moderator
 
Member#: 91347
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Boston, MA
Vehicle:
2004 Tacoma Crew Cab
2012 Triumph 1050

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post
So basically the biggest thing is a tune.. i can manage that but the only crappy part is I am on a 4 year warranty. and i have been told that if i do any sort of tune it will void my warranty and even if i put it back to a stock tune they will be able to see it...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loyale93 View Post
Do some research. There are a billion threads about voiding of warranties and the like.
Do you think everyone here waits until the end of their warranty to modify the car? If so, I've got a bridge to sell you. As they say, you have to pay to play.

You have a lot of reading to do.
Fill out your profile.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdore121 View Post
Really??? I was asking a simple question and as you can see I am getting replies that consist of thought not moronic thought. But thanks anyway and keep your bridge
You asked about voiding warranties. I gave you an answer that required you to think, as I don't know the answer. But, I do know that there are a lot of threads on this forum that answer the question of voiding warranties.

My point was that there are lots (read: most) of people on this forum that don't wait for warranties to be over until they modify their cars. I didn't on my old STi and never had an issue with it. Other people do. Do some reading and you'll find some more answers rather than us spoon feeding you.

If you want to know what features your car has, read the manual. If you can't understand it... that's a personal problem, because those things are written for idiots (not talking specifically about you, so don't get butthurt thinking I just called you an idiot) so they can't break the car.


Oh, and fill out your profile so I can recommend a driving school for you to learn how to get the tail out, since that seems to be your goal.
Loyale93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2013, 04:28 PM   #24
Saunders1986
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 303165
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada
Vehicle:
2012 WRX
SWP

Default

check for broken rings on the piston... the 08 sti is known for it... start the car, pop the oil cap off, if smoke puffs out the rings are toast
Saunders1986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2013, 01:25 PM   #25
sdore121
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 324133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2008 STI
Gunmetal Grey

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loyale93 View Post

You asked about voiding warranties. I gave you an answer that required you to think, as I don't know the answer. But, I do know that there are a lot of threads on this forum that answer the question of voiding warranties.

My point was that there are lots (read: most) of people on this forum that don't wait for warranties to be over until they modify their cars. I didn't on my old STi and never had an issue with it. Other people do. Do some reading and you'll find some more answers rather than us spoon feeding you.

If you want to know what features your car has, read the manual. If you can't understand it... that's a personal problem, because those things are written for idiots (not talking specifically about you, so don't get butthurt thinking I just called you an idiot) so they can't break the car.

Oh, and fill out your profile so I can recommend a driving school for you to learn how to get the tail out, since that seems to be your goal.
And if all you wanted to do was talk crap and not help then you should have went past the post. Notice how every one else said something helpful and your the only one making an issue. What's the point of a forum if I can't ask simple question. Whose to say I didn't look thru the forum whose to say I didn't read my manual. I just wonder one thing... Why are you even talking. So why don't you just do me a favor now and let it be and stay off this thread cause your obnoxious.
Thank you and have a nice day
sdore121 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.