3.6R tranny question

8195 Views 36 Replies 25 Participants Last post by N8thesk8, Dec 10, 2012

LLBEANSUBIE

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2012

I own a 2012 3.6R automatic with less than 5K on her. While the engine seems smooth enough, what I do NOT like is how the tranny downshifts.:28:
I find that in city traffic upon downshifting automatically, the tranny just seems to clunk a lot. Is this normal?

I would think that a Subaru costing upwards of 36K would shift smooth as butter. To me it's very annoying. I've owned seven subies over the years and by far this is the most I ever paid for a new car. I am just not sure it was worth it. Anyone else experience this?
Also, this car is terrible in cross winds on interstate. Pretty scary moving from one land to half way in the other one all on its own. My little Mini Cooper cuts the wind with no problem and actually is easier to drive and maintain your driving lane better than the subie. Hmmm....

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fun2drive

· #2 · Oct 20, 2012

My transmission shifts smoothly up and down and an occassional firmer downshift which isn't anything out of the ordinary to me.

Regarding the crosswinds and tracking in everyday driving I can suggest you can learn much in the "Wandering" thread. See post 331 by Lobby for some solid suggestions. Also going to a thicker rollbar of 19mm in diameter and easy to install seems to help improve crosswinds.

The wandering seems to be because of the way that Subaru sets the car alignment up.

I am planning on getting more selfcentering stability added by going to a toe setting of 0 degrees to -0.01 degrees front and rear.

Hope this helps some...

Subyblue

· #3 · Oct 20, 2012

I've never noticed any shifting irregularities with mine. I will pay more attention.

Update: 10/20
Just completed a 190 Mile roundtrip home to CSU Chico and back--no issues with transmission shifting and smoothness.

N8thesk8

· #4 · Oct 20, 2012

just last week i opened a case w soa regarding this issue w my'11 3.6 after taking to dealer to have it reflashed 3 times to no avail. soa said there is no fix for this issue if the reflash didnt work and offered an extended (7 yr/100,000) warranty or $1000 toward trading mine in on new outback.

i think its CRAP. a car north of 30k shoukd shift like a dream. especiall since the technology in this tranny is ancient. im pretty disappointed.

Amsoil Guy

· #5 · Oct 20, 2012

N8thesk8 said:
just last week i opened a case w soa regarding this issue w my'11 3.6 after taking to dealer to have it reflashed 3 times to no avail. soa said there is no fix for this issue if the reflash didnt work and offered an extended (7 yr/100,000) warranty or $1000 toward trading mine in on new outback.

i think its CRAP. a car north of 30k shoukd shift like a dream. especiall since the technology in this tranny is ancient. im pretty disappointed.

Do you know if this problem is resolved in the '13? I am leaning toward the 3.6 and after I just went through on my Accord, I don't need any more problems. Thank you.

Nickshu

· #6 · Oct 20, 2012

My 3.6 shifts smoothly. Something is wrong with yours.

30917

· #7 · Oct 20, 2012

^^^ +1 Mine is smooth as butter too.

VicVinegar

· #8 · Oct 20, 2012

I've only had one scenario where it does anything out of the ordinary.

When approaching a red light, I'll be coasting toward the light and maybe on the brakes a bit. The light turns green before coming to a stop, and a few times the shift from my going back on the gas seems to cause the transmission some grief. It is almost like the computer is slow to react to the throttle input and then reacts by downshifting harshly.

That is the only scenario I've experienced something I'd point out to the dealer. 98% of the time it shifts smooth and downshifts appropriately when I am going to pass or merge into traffic. It doesn't even do that hard shift at low speed all the time, it is like you need to get it in the right spot.

prulex

· #9 · Oct 20, 2012

+1^^^ Mine does that occassionally as well.

ultane

· #10 · Oct 20, 2012

I've read about some of the 5 speeds downshifting woe's several month's ago. When my '12 3.6 Limited (10,400 miles) is coasting to a stop, I can feel it downshift at an appropriate speed and the engine rev very slightly, but it's not enough to bother me and it certainly doesn't 'clunk'. On brisk acceleration, the tranny is very smooth. Concerning the lane change behavior, are your tires properly inflated?

LLBEANSUBIE

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 20, 2012

Many thanks...

It seems that my tranny just "hits" hard when coming up to a redlight as some here have mentioned. Under harder acceleration it also seems you need to be in that "sweet" spot of engine revs or something. Regardless, like one forum member said, a car north of 35K case, which was my case, should shift smoothly. I think the engine is great however. I am taking it back to the dealer for a check up even though it has less than 5K miles.

Tires are nitrogen filled and are at proper inflation. I do NOT like the crosswinds pushing me around though. I'll look into that 19MM sway bar!

On a side note: don't you think a car costing over 35K would have a wood trimmed steering wheel? I mean all the upscale cars have them i.e. Lexus, MBenz, Infinity etc. Heck, even Buicks have them. I bought this car for the exta power b/c I drive interstate to work every day and WV has its share of hills to go up. I'm just disappointed it doesn't shift like I think it should. Once to dealer, I'll report back the findings.

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Nickshu

· #12 · Oct 21, 2012

VicVinegar said:
I've only had one scenario where it does anything out of the ordinary.

When approaching a red light, I'll be coasting toward the light and maybe on the brakes a bit. The light turns green before coming to a stop, and a few times the shift from my going back on the gas seems to cause the transmission some grief. It is almost like the computer is slow to react to the throttle input and then reacts by downshifting harshly.

That is the only scenario I've experienced something I'd point out to the dealer. 98% of the time it shifts smooth and downshifts appropriately when I am going to pass or merge into traffic. It doesn't even do that hard shift at low speed all the time, it is like you need to get it in the right spot.

This is called "shift shock". There is a TSB and a software update to correct this problem. I had it done on mine about 9 months ago and it completely fixed this exact problem. Take your car to your dealer and have them perform the update.

mikelipke

· #13 · Oct 21, 2012

Nickshu said:
This is called "shift shock".

This happened to me.
I was at the beach, and saw an old girlfriend walking along the shore in a moo moo. Holy crap!

chaser06

· #14 · Oct 21, 2012

VicVinegar said:
I've only had one scenario where it does anything out of the ordinary.

When approaching a red light, I'll be coasting toward the light and maybe on the brakes a bit. The light turns green before coming to a stop, and a few times the shift from my going back on the gas seems to cause the transmission some grief. It is almost like the computer is slow to react to the throttle input and then reacts by downshifting harshly.

That is the only scenario I've experienced something I'd point out to the dealer. 98% of the time it shifts smooth and downshifts appropriately when I am going to pass or merge into traffic. It doesn't even do that hard shift at low speed all the time, it is like you need to get it in the right spot.

+1. It happens occasionally and I've experienced this with other non Subie transmissions. How's the fluid level?

arizonaadam

· #15 · Oct 21, 2012

My 2010 had the same issue. Ecm update fixed the issue. It would surprise me if a 2012 didn't come from the factory with the fix. Easy enough to have dealer check for updates.

N8thesk8

· #16 · Oct 23, 2012

Ive had the ECM reflash twice. Better but nowhere near OK. Writing another email to SOA as we speak.

totech

· #17 · Oct 23, 2012

LLBEANSUBIE said:
On a side note: don't you think a car costing over 35K would have a wood trimmed steering wheel? I mean all the upscale cars have them i.e. Lexus, MBenz, Infinity etc. Heck, even Buicks have them.

I would have not bought my 2013 H6 if it had a wood wheel. Leather is the way to go.

And, mine shifts perfectly too

LLBEANSUBIE

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 23, 2012

Nature guy

totech said:
I would have not bought my 2013 H6 if it had a wood wheel. Leather is the way to go.

And, mine shifts perfectly too

I guess all the wood trim in the car would go with a wood steering wheel. Mine is leather too. It's just rather plain looking.

totech

· #19 · Oct 24, 2012

LLBEANSUBIE said:
I guess all the wood trim in the car would go with a wood steering wheel. Mine is leather too. It's just rather plain looking.

AAhh.. I got the Base, so I got the fake aluminium instead of the fake wood.

Georgeh

· #20 · Oct 29, 2012

Agreed about the steering wheel. My 2001 OB VDC had a beautiful wood & leather Nardi steering wheel. My 2013 3.6R SAP is a better car in nearly every way, but that steering wheel in the VDC was a nice piece of work.

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