I might check for a carbon monoxide leak.

 

Maybe your rear gate does not close properly?
Crack couple windows open for cross-ventilation.
Don't watch videos (or map screen) while driving..

 

Yeah, I was getting a little sick from looking out the side windows while driving. I noticed a slight refraction in the glass when moving my head and looking at the side-view mirror. I'm not sure if it's from the new glass thickness or the tint (I have the 2018 Limited). Also, the reflection from the silver band around the a/c vent shows up in the line of sight of the mirror, and that was causing me some grief. I've managed to get used to it and don't feel sick anymore. I've had my OB for a little over a month now.

There might be something to it if you look at your mirrors a lot like i do. But i'm also prone to motion sickness....

 

Trade it in for a new Forester, than you'll bounce all over the road, no floating there!!!!

 

Seriously check for a carbon monoxide leak as suggested. The fact that your dog is getting sick too is not a good sign. In the meantime drive with the windows cracked to avoid passing out.

 

I've owned a handful of newer Outbacks, later 90s till now. And I can say my 18' 3.6 Limited is the most floaty soft compliant riding Outback I've owned thus far.

I mean for something with off road ability, I sure hope the shocks and struts on these new Outbacks tighten up when going off road.

 

I thought for offroading you wanted a loose softer suspension to ease wheel articulation when going over big bumps holes rocks etc.

Not the case?

 

 

my wife and baby have the same issue in the back seat of my 2017 but her 2017 forester they have no issues in.

 

nothing wrong with checking for exhaust leak and having the sway bars/suspension inspected but, decades ago, I would regularly be nauseated riding in the back of a coworkers Chevy Impala coming back from lunch with a group. Never experienced that in the front or in any other vehicle.

sometimes, a specific type of travel/movement is just incompatible with specific people I guess?

 

I am also prone to motion sickness and had minor issues when I first started driving a 2017 Outback. It was pretty much only on 30 minute or longer Hwy driving.
Went away after a month or so.
I chalked it up to different vehicle motion compared to the VW JSW I had before.

 

I might suggest that you take a look at the rear sway bar.....when we got my 2015 OB LTD, I was generally very happy with the ride BUT, when we exited the highway on those long sweeping ramps, it felt like I was driving a 1965 Chevrolet Impala Caprice wagon.......hardly confidence inspiring especially as the radius decreased deeper into the exit/enter ramp.....

I swapped out the 16 MM in favor of the "moderate" upgrade size, 19 mm..............and that disconcerting big car sway and see saw body movement went away.......

Just saying.....

Steve

 

Two months in and I'm still getting used to the slight wavy-ness on the driver window near the front. I seem to remember this being an issue on my last car which was a Chevy so I'm guessing (for me) it's just a matter of allowing your eyes/brain to get used to the differences.

 

I think the ride is fairly balanced and it's been good for me in my 18. I have 3300 miles on mine since bought in August. My driving style varies from puttzing to sporty. We've taken a few road trips and I like it overall. Quiet enough, smooth enough on a variety of roads. Getting used to my first CVT but it seems to work better now than when brand new. idk. But I do feel some "float" or sway at times but not to an unacceptable level. I've driven all kind of cars & trucks and I get along with most though.
In the new OB I thought about installing the 19mm sway bar and may still to get better performance when cornering. But too stiff swaybars have their downside on lesser roads.
In the end I think some folks are more sensitive to motion variations than others and I get that it can be a concern.

 

Two of us in my family are VERY prone to motion sickness... Almost an EXTREME any ride at a park will set us off.. 1 and done! But anyways, in our '16 we have NO issues at all, in fact we LOVE the way it rides. I would also check for leaks. Somethings not right if your dog is getting sick. I would also x2 on the 19mm Sway bar upgrade. I'd maybe even go bigger. It is a noticeable difference in the way the back end of the car handles the road, BETTER. Highly recommend. But even bigger then 19! Also wonder if theres something in the "new car smell" thats making you sick with the chemicals, thats been talked about quite a bit on these forums.

 

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions and thoughts. Was concerned I'd get a lot of grief from others on here and really appreciate the support. It's been a rough week of stress over what to do with this new car and the financial ramifications that come with getting rid of it now. Depreciation when you drive a car off the lot is a killer! Not to mention this was my dream car...super bummed to not be enjoying it!

As an update, I'm 8 days into driving the car and still feel really sick every time I drive it. No improvement there.
I talked more to the dealer and they noted that new for 2018, the outback now has a single-piece frame instead of a 2-piece, meant to completely eliminate "roll" when driving around curves. And as mentioned in my original post, the suspension is completely different from previous models. After hearing their description of the changes, it resonated with why I feel like I'm floating instead of driving in a car and am just not getting enough "feedback". It doesn't sway like my dad's oldsmobile. It literally floats/glides.
I'm sure plenty out there will love it but I'm curious about how the feedback comes in as more buy the 2018's.

I'm definitely going to look into carbon monoxide potential. If that checks out, I'm off to find a new car and figure out what to do with this one.
THANKS everybody!

 

As an update, I'm 8 days into driving the car and still feel really sick every time I drive it. No improvement there.
...
I'm definitely going to look into carbon monoxide potential. If that checks out, I'm off to find a new car and figure out what to do with this one.

Put one of your battery operated CO detectors (you do have at least one, right? (unless your house is straight electricity and running off a heat pump)) in your car, start it up, get out, and see what happens. If you have a CO leak, get it fixed under warranty.

 

Hi Emcr,

Actually I got the same feeling about floating, especially when I drive on freeway over 80m/h.
I was thinking to install 20mm sway bar to improve floating issue.
May I know what is the main difference of suspension/frame between 2018 and 2017?
Do you think 20mm rear sway bar is helpful?

Thanks.

 

I do believe the larger rear sway bar could help, as it will eliminate some of the body roll.

I think the OP’s dealer may be confusing his Outback with the Impreza line. I don’t believe the Outback frame or suspension has been changed for 2018, as it was a cosmetic update only, including a few interior updates. The 2017 Impreza is all new and based on the new global platform.

Back to your issue:

- install the 19mm or 20mm rear sway bar
- check tire pressure and if it’s at spec, try going a little higher (say 34/34 or so)
- try adjusting climate settings to put a little fresh cool air from the vents toward your face.

If you’ve tried these then ignore my suggestions. I haven’t read every post.

 

I think the OP’s dealer may be confusing his Outback with the Impreza line. I don’t believe the Outback frame or suspension has been changed for 2018, as it was a cosmetic update only, including a few interior updates. The 2017 Impreza is all new and based on the new global platform.

X2. As far as I know, except for minor damper (i.e. shocks, struts) tuning and tweaks to the steering control logic, the Outback chassis and suspension is unchanged MY 2015-2018.

 

if not done yet, the CO testing is imperative. It's one of only 2 things mentioned in the thread likely to elicit identical symptoms in 2 different mammal species.

CO is insidious - hemoglobin PREFERS it to oxygen.

 

emcr - you said this is a 2018 vehicle but, was it actually 'new' or was it a demo vehicle or returned by someone else?

just wondering if it could have been modified and had some drilling somewhere for aftermarket hitch or wire pass-thru or ?????

do you hear any rattling or clanking? on turns or uneven surfaces? wondering if sway bar or its endlinks are damaged.

 

Another vote for the rear sway bar upgrade. It made a huge difference in my 2016 outback. Going up from the standard 16mm to the 19mm bar was the best $100 I ever spent.

 

Thanks for all your advice.
When I drive over uneven road, the softer suspension gives me more than 1 response(vertical oscillation), which will make it harder to change lane, make a turn during that condition.
I'm going to install 20mm rear sway bar and hopefully it'll mitigate vertical oscillation.

 

I was under the impression that the RSB upgrade cuts body roll , helps with excessive steering corrections(wind).

 

With the SGP the RSB is mounted directly to the body along with much better chassis rigidity. Once all models are implemented I think much of the suspension complaints will end . Then again it will depend on the tuning part. With the new Impreza the suspension is actually soft, tuned for comfort thanks to the 70-100% increase in rigidity. It will much tighter in tuning for the next WRX/STI which I predict will be super sharp.

 

The 65 aspect OEM tires are a large part of the problem. I went to 245/50-R19 (same diameter as OEM) tires to stiffen up the ride, and it was the single biggest contributor to sharpening up the ride of my '17 OB.

 

Update on the 2018 outback- motion sickness?

Another update here (I am the original poster of this thread). Carbon monoxide was ruled out.
I am now trying driving with windows down at all times and a mask on my face to see if it's fumes from off-gasing of chemicals from the new car that are making me sick.
After that, I'll try sitting/working in the new car without starting or moving it with no mask to see if I feel fine.


My local Subaru dealer is also letting me borrow a different 2018 outback for the day tomorrow to see how I feel in that one compared to my own.
I am still highly suspicious it is motion sickness but am attempting to rule out all other possibilities. The dealer mentioned to me another buyer had come in a few weeks earlier with the exact same issues as me.



My neighbor drove the car for an hour yesterday to see how she felt and she had no issue other than complaints of mild distortion when using the side and rearview mirrors.


The dealership also let me borrow a used 2015 crosstrek for 24 hours while they appraised my car. And I felt amazing driving that car. No issues. Felt like me and not sick for the first time since I bought the new outback two weeks ago.
The crosstrek's interior is unfortunately a bit small for me and the two large dogs that accompany me in the car on a daily basis though. Otherwise, LOVED it. It felt stiff on the road. It felt like a vehicle should feel in my opinion. Not super smooth but comfortable. I could feel bumps and got lots of feedback from the road but it was solid. Fun drive!


Still at a loss about next steps for the Outback. I'm debilitated enough after driving it that if I can't figure this out, I'm inclined to sell it and take a big loss rather than try swapping out parts. Not convinced it will improve the situation enough for me if it's motion sickness.
Anyone have tips on the best place to sell a beautiful almost-new wilderness green base model 2018 outback?

 

In your situation, I would get rid off it. Wait as much as you can to see what options give you the best trade-in values. I'll be interested in knowing how much you get. When you try another vehicle, test drive it many times before you pull the trigger - renting one won't do, you need to test drive the exact vehicle you will be purchasing.

Another update here (I am the original poster of this thread). Carbon monoxide was ruled out.
I am now trying driving with windows down at all times and a mask on my face to see if it's fumes from off-gasing of chemicals from the new car that are making me sick.
After that, I'll try sitting/working in the new car without starting or moving it with no mask to see if I feel fine.


My local Subaru dealer is also letting me borrow a different 2018 outback for the day tomorrow to see how I feel in that one compared to my own.
I am still highly suspicious it is motion sickness but am attempting to rule out all other possibilities. The dealer mentioned to me another buyer had come in a few weeks earlier with the exact same issues as me.



My neighbor drove the car for an hour yesterday to see how she felt and she had no issue other than complaints of mild distortion when using the side and rearview mirrors.


The dealership also let me borrow a used 2015 crosstrek for 24 hours while they appraised my car. And I felt amazing driving that car. No issues. Felt like me and not sick for the first time since I bought the new outback two weeks ago.
The crosstrek's interior is unfortunately a bit small for me and the two large dogs that accompany me in the car on a daily basis though. Otherwise, LOVED it. It felt stiff on the road. It felt like a vehicle should feel in my opinion. Not super smooth but comfortable. I could feel bumps and got lots of feedback from the road but it was solid. Fun drive!


Still at a loss about next steps for the Outback. I'm debilitated enough after driving it that if I can't figure this out, I'm inclined to sell it and take a big loss rather than try swapping out parts. Not convinced it will improve the situation enough for me if it's motion sickness.
Anyone have tips on the best place to sell a beautiful almost-new wilderness green base model 2018 outback?

 

Perhaps you could call the corporate number and see if they can assist you with anything, like the Guaranteed Trade Program or maybe a loyalty coupon? You'd probably have to commit to purchasing a Subaru, and I've heard the 2018 Crosstrek is a little bigger on the inside, I think you should go check it out.

 

Replace rear sway bar with 20 mm one. For 150$ installed you have not much to lose and plenty to gain.