2012 3.6R 5EAT shift problems

[nads]

I did this in my car on a flat surface. I see now, mine shifted pretty quickly, not the delay shown in the vid. I think Timothy is on the right track, it could just be the ECU/TCU just accounting for driving conditions.

[FLlegacy]

If you are still in warranty take it to a different dealer, or a subaru specialist and show them what its doing, insist on it. No matter what the SM says the car should take care of itself as programmed meaning no matter how bad of a driver you are it shouldn't allow harm to come to the engine/transmission. What you are describing almost sounds like a failing TC, an experienced trans tech could probably tell by watching the line pressures and solenoids as you drive it.

[nads]

My question is how goes it drive otherwise? Any flare when warm, slipping, hard shifts, noise, etc?

[legacyboy1991]

If you are still in warranty take it to a different dealer, or a subaru specialist and show them what its doing, insist on it. No matter what the SM says the car should take care of itself as programmed meaning no matter how bad of a driver you are it shouldn't allow harm to come to the engine/transmission. What you are describing almost sounds like a failing TC, an experienced trans tech could probably tell by watching the line pressures and solenoids as you drive it.

Ok I will make an appointment within the next week or two. I am not a bad driver, but I feel like my car should be able to handle being "floored" when need be. I mean heck, the manual even says to floor it when more acceleration is required. Ill upload a pic in a little bit.

 

 

My question is how goes it drive otherwise? Any flare when warm, slipping, hard shifts, noise, etc?

Well it's slow to respond normal, but that seems to be "ok" behavior. It does have a very hard downshift from 1st to 2nd when coming to a quick stop. Otherwise, it seems to shift "ok" under normal accelerations.

[Sam S]

I have the same issue but it happens so rarely I have not worried about it. It happens not under hard acceleration but in the snow when it seems to have trouble determining what gear to go in. If I force it to stay in gear the problem goes away in the snow.

 

Bigger concern is of an oil consumption issue which I deal with as well as Subaru says they all do that (and from the boards I see that they all do it). I don't burn enough for a new engine so I carry a quart of oil around and top it off as they put in almost 7 quarts now every oil change to compensate (their "fix") which is not enough.

[Timothy.B]

I have the same issue but it happens so rarely I have not worried about it. It happens not under hard acceleration but in the snow when it seems to have trouble determining what gear to go in. If I force it to stay in gear the problem goes away in the snow.

 

Bigger concern is of an oil consumption issue which I deal with as well as Subaru says they all do that (and from the boards I see that they all do it). I don't burn enough for a new engine so I carry a quart of oil around and top it off as they put in almost 7 quarts now every oil change to compensate (their "fix") which is not enough.

 

I just switched to 5w-40, as have others. It seems to help consumption. I'm keeping an eye on it to see how it goes. I think it's just the design of these engines that cause more oil to burn. Was going through about a quarter to half of a quart every 1800 miles or so.

[nads]

Some Full Synthetics can also seep by easier too. Heavier oils do help but check that your PCV valve is fully functioning.

[Sam S]

I just switched to 5w-40, as have others. It seems to help consumption. I'm keeping an eye on it to see how it goes. I think it's just the design of these engines that cause more oil to burn. Was going through about a quarter to half of a quart every 1800 miles or so.

 

Tried that it made very little difference (the other oil). Also tried conventional oil (not synthetic) and it made no difference. It just constantly burns about 1/3 a quart every 1000 miles - not enough for Subaru as it needs to be a a half a quart or more. I appreciate the comments - the common fixes I have tried all of them before joining this board. I just live with it on the newer Subaru.

 

I bought the car because I was told it is reliable and drives like the Saab. While it drives very much like the much older Saab, the quality of construction does not compare. For example, on the interior of the Saab very little scuffing occurs of the interior finish in the winter. In the Subaru, a ton occurs and I have to wipe it down with vinyl cleaner multiple times a winter (compared to once a winter with the Saab). In the Subaru, rocks put dents in the Subaru hood. The Saab hood has virtually no dents after three times the mileage (152,000 to 51,000). The list goes on and on. Subarus are not unreliable, bad cars - I am not saying that. It just does not seem be quite as high quality as Saab used to be, that is all.

 

I joined the board to get tips and to see what others are doing to keep their cars running. Thank you for the comments, I do appreciate them.

[nads]

Tried that it made very little difference (the other oil). Also tried conventional oil (not synthetic) and it made no difference. It just constantly burns about 1/3 a quart every 1000 miles - not enough for Subaru as it needs to be a a half a quart or more. I appreciate the comments - the common fixes I have tried all of them before joining this board. I just live with it on the newer Subaru.

 

I bought the car because I was told it is reliable and drives like the Saab. While it drives very much like the much older Saab, the quality of construction does not compare. For example, on the interior of the Saab very little scuffing occurs of the interior finish in the winter. In the Subaru, a ton occurs and I have to wipe it down with vinyl cleaner multiple times a winter (compared to once a winter with the Saab). In the Subaru, rocks put dents in the Subaru hood. The Saab hood has virtually no dents after three times the mileage (152,000 to 51,000). The list goes on and on. Subarus are not unreliable, bad cars - I am not saying that. It just does not seem be quite as high quality as Saab used to be, that is all.

 

I joined the board to get tips and to see what others are doing to keep their cars running. Thank you for the comments, I do appreciate them.

 

There is a recall for an oil consumption issue.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/subaru-oil-consumption-lawsuit-letter-subaru-short-block-replacement-advice-252405.html?t=252405&highlight=oil+consumption

[Sam S]

There is a recall for an oil consumption issue.

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/subaru-oil-consumption-lawsuit-letter-subaru-short-block-replacement-advice-252405.html?t=252405&highlight=oil+consumption

 

Yes, I am aware of it - why I went in for the test - and the result was it does not burn enough oil to qualify (you need to burn over 0.5 quarts per thousand miles, I burn 0.3 quarts). So I have "normal" burning. Why my GM motor with 152,000 is better than the boxer design of Subaru - virtually no burning there (or any other issues). Thanks however.

[legacyboy1991]

I have the same issue but it happens so rarely I have not worried about it. It happens not under hard acceleration but in the snow when it seems to have trouble determining what gear to go in. If I force it to stay in gear the problem goes away in the snow.

If you are going downhill from a rolling 15-20MPH and floor it, does yours slip or hesitate shifting from first to second?

 

I still am having this issue and Subaru says it's normal because it's considered abusive and extreme driving conditions which I find is BS.

[legacyboy1991]

I have the same issue but it happens so rarely I have not worried about it. It happens not under hard acceleration but in the snow when it seems to have trouble determining what gear to go in. If I force it to stay in gear the problem goes away in the snow.

If you are going downhill from a rolling 15-20MPH and floor it, does yours slip or hesitate shifting from first to second?

 

I still am having this issue and Subaru says it's normal because it's considered abusive and extreme driving conditions which I find is BS.

[YeuEmMaiMai]

did you ever change the fluid again? once you change it at 60K you should change it again a few more times to most of the old fluid out. I find that Valvoline synthetic fluid does wonders for Subaru autos

[YeuEmMaiMai]

did you ever change the fluid again? once you change it at 60K you should change it again a few more times to most of the old fluid out. I find that Valvoline synthetic fluid does wonders for Subaru autos

[Sam S]

If you are going downhill from a rolling 15-20MPH and floor it, does yours slip or hesitate shifting from first to second?

 

I still am having this issue and Subaru says it's normal because it's considered abusive and extreme driving conditions which I find is BS.

 

They all do it. The 3.6 is known for hesitating in those situations, even from a full stop. If you go on You Tube and review Consumer Report's test of 0-60, it does it there as well. It is a powerful engine but the transmission takes a moment to react. Call it a design flaw, but it is the way it operates.

[Sam S]

If you are going downhill from a rolling 15-20MPH and floor it, does yours slip or hesitate shifting from first to second?

 

I still am having this issue and Subaru says it's normal because it's considered abusive and extreme driving conditions which I find is BS.

 

They all do it. The 3.6 is known for hesitating in those situations, even from a full stop. If you go on You Tube and review Consumer Report's test of 0-60, it does it there as well. It is a powerful engine but the transmission takes a moment to react. Call it a design flaw, but it is the way it operates.

[nads]

I think your your finding the things Subaru put in so soccer moms and accountants don't complain about Poopsie getting disturbed off their lap as they are a way larger crowd then us.

 

Have you considered getting with ED at XRT to data log and do some trans tuning?

[Timothy.B]

I get a very subtle shake from take off at times. Humble Rumble took his car to the dealership for the a similar issue and they said it's pretty common with the car. So it's sorta a relief.

 

As for the downshift at 20mph or so, don't mash the gas at 20mph, lol. At that point you're already moving out of the peak power band when it shifts. This is why I use the paddles a lot. The only time you really need to be in first is 10mph or lower.

 

There was some grief about talking about Ed's tuning in here but I'll just put some small input in as a customer. The ECU-TCU tuning is just pure bliss. Throttle is near instant. Especially when the TC is already locked. Car makes a cool sound between shifts at high revs. Take off from a stop, hold on to your pants. ItalianLegacy shares similar changes that I've had. I can't imagine what his car would be like. Probably pisses himself every time he accidentally mashes the gas

[Golferdude1087]

I get a very subtle shake from take off at times. Humble Rumble took his car to the dealership for the a similar issue and they said it's pretty common with the car. So it's sorta a relief.

 

As for the downshift at 20mph or so, don't mash the gas at 20mph, lol. At that point you're already moving out of the peak power band when it shifts. This is why I use the paddles a lot. The only time you really need to be in first is 10mph or lower.

 

There was some grief about talking about Ed's tuning in here but I'll just put some small input in as a customer. The ECU-TCU tuning is just pure bliss. Throttle is near instant. Especially when the TC is already locked. Car makes a cool sound between shifts at high revs. Take off from a stop, hold on to your pants. ItalianLegacy shares similar changes that I've had. I can't imagine what his car would be like. Probably pisses himself every time he accidentally mashes the gas [emoji38]

There will be no ban hammer bc ed is the defacto 5th gen h6 tuner.

 

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

[Humble Rumble]

I get a very subtle shake from take off at times. Humble Rumble took his car to the dealership for the a similar issue and they said it's pretty common with the car. So it's sorta a relief.

 

As for the downshift at 20mph or so, don't mash the gas at 20mph, lol. At that point you're already moving out of the peak power band when it shifts. This is why I use the paddles a lot. The only time you really need to be in first is 10mph or lower.

 

There was some grief about talking about Ed's tuning in here but I'll just put some small input in as a customer. The ECU-TCU tuning is just pure bliss. Throttle is near instant. Especially when the TC is already locked. Car makes a cool sound between shifts at high revs. Take off from a stop, hold on to your pants. ItalianLegacy shares similar changes that I've had. I can't imagine what his car would be like. Probably pisses himself every time he accidentally mashes the gas

 

I literally never shift into 1st gear anymore. The threshold between where the car shifts down for you and where you get lurch forward from downshifting to 1st is extremely miniscule, so much so that I've started just letting the car shift itself to 1st on it's own all the time.

[legacyboy1991]

I think your your finding the things Subaru put in so soccer moms and accountants don't complain about Poopsie getting disturbed off their lap as they are a way larger crowd then us.

 

Have you considered getting with ED at XRT to data log and do some trans tuning?

Hmm you may be right. I really haven't look at any tunes because I'm 80k into a 100k extended warranty. Do you think it's safe to do so? If I understand correctly anything with ed will be remote due to location difference, correct?

 

They all do it. The 3.6 is known for hesitating in those situations, even from a full stop. If you go on You Tube and review Consumer Report's test of 0-60, it does it there as well. It is a powerful engine but the transmission takes a moment to react. Call it a design flaw, but it is the way it operates.

Hmm so it doesn't seem like it's a slip, but rather a hesitation? That's a bit of relief.

[legacyboy1991]

A little update guys. Took it to another dealer who stated they were very easily able to reproduce the issue. They agreed it was abnormal shifting and did an Automatic Transmission Learn Control and supposedly reflashed the firmware.. it seems to have helped but it has happened during 20Mph downshifts to first. They said next step was to drain and fill again even though I just did that 15k miles ago and then look at pressure switches. I will give them credit that it is definitely shifting smoother and the slipping or hesitation has let up a good bit. My concern is that there is damage and the relearn just let the transmission adapt to the damage and is masking the issue now. They checked shift pressure and no codes, tech said didn't think it was a valve body issue. I'm not sure what I should do from here. Should I just live with it as a quirk or fight while I'm under warranty?

[nads]

My car sometimes gives a hard down shift to 1st at low speeds. Give the TCU time to learn.

 

At least you found a dealer that will work with you.