Does anyone know what could cause my XC to emitt an odor like oil or gear fluid when parked in the garage? This after driving it for 30 minutes or so. It seems to be really noticable after being driven in the snow. I figured it's something to do with the AWD but does this mean the car is low on gearbox oil?

It means that your bevel gear is leaking and the gear lube gets onto the front exhaust pipe which is why you're smelling that. Either a seal's leaking OR it's getting too hot and leaking from its vent. If it's leaking from its vent, there's a TSB to R&R the unit and install a larger, better vent which is suppose to help. I've only done that once but that car didn't return so I assume it's been fixed.
Do make sure that the car has 4 tires that have equal tread wear, not 1 or two newer ones compared to the rest. Operating that car with different sized tires (tread depth) will overheat and destroy the bevel gear, a $2500 part plus labor to replace.

I am aware of the awd tire issue from Subarus. I purchased the car from the dealer in December. It was supposedly a 1 owner and all of the service stampings from the dealer, of the previous owner, were stamped. Not the stamp of the dealer from whom I purchased the vehicle from. With that, I can only assume the tires were rotated at the correct intervals. Luckly for me, the XC had a fresh set of Mich Pilots 4 season tires. They did great in the 10in. of fresh on Christmas.


Anyway, thanks for the help.I will check out the TSB and look under the chasis for dripping.