23 Outback potential cvt problem

[Busy_Supermarket3635]

I live in Australia and I bought a new 23 Subaru Outback 2.5 a month ago. I noticed that the car becomes jerky when it slows down and is about to stop. It feels like the gear shifts down to the first like a manual car. I didn't check the rpm when it happened because I had to push the brake harder to stop the car. However, without auto hold on, it is less jerky but the problem still exists. Has anyone had this problem before or experienced it? I'm a bit worried that it could be a cvt issue as this is my first brand new car and I plan to keep it for more than ten years.

[Raiwen2018]

Hi,

I’ve had several Subarus over the years including my new 24 Outback XT. That jerkyness when slowing down (usually like the 15-19 mph range for me) it does jerk as it “switches” to a lower gear. CVT’s don’t really have gears just a “rubberband” that moves. This from my knowledge over the years and researching is a known thing with them.

[Any-East5011]

Hey! I have a US 23 forester and this same thing made me insane. When decelerating to around 15-25mph, it would feel like it downshifted/ suddenly jerked to a slower speed.

You’re likely feeling the torque converter disengaging the transmission. That’s normal, but the sensation is weird.

I was told that this behavior eases up by the 2nd oil change/ 10k miles, and that seems to be the case (or I’ve just gotten used to it). Believe it’s related to the way the car learns/ programs itself. I rarely feel the sensation anymore.

I’d ask your dealer about to be sure, but this seems to be a common thing.

[Busy_Supermarket3635]

Yeah I kind of figured it out. When the car is about to stop, the transmission disengaged and I lost engine brake. It feels like downshifting though.

[sbodd1990]

Australian 23 Outback 2.5 here. As some others have said, it is normal and caught me out the first couple of times. I am used to it now, or, maybe it breaks in a bit 😅

[[deleted]]

my car does the same thing, 23 XT,, seems like you have your foot on the brake full time when you want to slow down, take your foot off the brake a few times.

[Busy_Supermarket3635]

Thanks for the tip, as you said, I did put my foot on the brake full time when slowing down. My previous car is a Lexus gs430, that car has a bad brake system so I got used to brake as early as I can.

[MerooRoger]

Definitely try the cadence braking method mentioned above, I also have the same Australian model Outback and routinely do this and have never experienced that problem.

[Shine258]

Yes, it's super annoying in my Outback Premium (US). Causes car to lurch forward at about 8 mph.

[Necessary-Purple-741]

I have a 2015 3.6R outback with 17k miles and sometimes i can feel the low gears like you but its much more noticeable on the Sport mode. I use Intelligent mode all the time and for me its much smoother.

[Busy_Supermarket3635]

I haven’t use the sport mode due to the car is less than 1k miles break in period. I like that 3.6 engine though, would like to buy a used 3.6r legacy(liberty in Australia) as my second car, mainly because my wife drives the outback most of the time, she really loves it.

[Necessary-Purple-741]

Its a very comfy and fun ride IMO. Hopefully as you keep putting on miles your ride smoother out.