[DarrenX33]

I have a 2008 Outback with 38K miles on it. Have noticed that on occasion when making a turn it seems like the transmission slips. Never does it any other time. Just with a low speed turn (like driving around on side streets). Wondering if anyone else has experienced this? No leaks, fluid seems fine.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

automatic?

can you turn tight circles on dry pavement at idle (maybe some slight gas pedal) with no jerking or bucking?

when you notice this problem, is there any noise or jerking/bucking?

check engine light on?

 

[DarrenX33]

Ah, sorry. Auto trans. No noise or CEL. I would need to do the circle test and let you know. Thanks for replying!

 

[plain OM]

Is the car new to you, or have you had it for a long time and this "slipping" symptom is something new?

Does the symptom appear particularly when you suddenly re-apply throttle after slowing into the turn?

There have been reports of the transmission "hunting" momentarily in some circumstances, such as turning. It seems to happen if, just after releasing the accelerator, it's advanced again. As the car slows, the tranny normally downshifts in stages, both to make use of engine braking and to make sure the transmission is in the most suitable gear for that speed. If it's caught just at a switching point when the accelerator is pressed, it might hesitate as it "decides" which gear to use. There's no unusual revving of the engine; just a sort of pause. (The appearance of "slipping" might be sensed because during shifts, which normally take afraction of a second, the electronic engine control actually cuts the throttle to reduce the potential for shift shock and stress on the drive train. So there's a sense of loss of "power".)

This phenomenon has been reported here before, and I've experienced it on my 07 as well early on.

 

[DavidPeab]

^ +1 On my 2000 even after changing the axles, trans fluid and checking for torque bind I thought the trans was slipping. But it was just the hunting mentioned by plain OM above.

Hope for that.

 

[DarrenX33]

Is the car new to you, or have you had it for a long time and this "slipping" symptom is something new?

Does the symptom appear particularly when you suddenly re-apply throttle after slowing into the turn?

There have been reports of the transmission "hunting" momentarily in some circumstances, such as turning. It seems to happen if, just after releasing the accelerator, it's advanced again. As the car slows, the tranny normally downshifts in stages, both to make use of engine braking and to make sure the transmission is in the most suitable gear for that speed. If it's caught just at a switching point when the accelerator is pressed, it might hesitate as it "decides" which gear to use. There's no unusual revving of the engine; just a sort of pause. (The appearance of "slipping" might be sensed because during shifts, which normally take afraction of a second, the electronic engine control actually cuts the throttle to reduce the potential for shift shock and stress on the drive train. So there's a sense of loss of "power".)

This phenomenon has been reported here before, and I've experienced it on my 07 as well early on.

Wow! This does sound like what I am seeing/feeling.. This is my wife's car which we purchased used 2 years ago with 14k on the clock. She is the primary driver. But I have noticed it for a while but it never seemed to be really bad enough for me to really start digging into. When it does happen it is during a turn after lifting off the accelerator. Aside from that the car runs like a champ.

Thank you very much for that reply. :29:

 

[tdelker]

You should verify you don't have torque bind with the previous mentioned test of low speed circling.

 

[DarrenX33]

That I will do.. Thank you!