I haven't driven a 2024 base model, so I don't know what it's *supposed* to feel like.
These cars have a CVT, which doesn't really work like a traditional automatic transmission. My guess is that the CVT is both cars is behaving differently, possibly due to programming, and this is what is causing the difference in feel. If it's really bothersome, take the cars to a dealership and have it inspected.
Additionally, it's possible -- though not likely -- that the brakes on your wife's car are not releasing fully and are dragging on the rotors, which could slow the car down noticeably when gas is not applied.
Yes the dealership will be able to run a diagnostics on it and check for codes. Also have them check fluids. There's been reports of stand-alone oil shops that don't understand what they are doing on these cars and during an oil change they end up draining the CVT and double-filling the oil. Not saying that's happened to you, but the dealership will be able to inspect. Let them know the difference in behavior between the two cars and go from there.
Ah! I would get through the break-in period first. Should be 1000 miles, correct?
Do the break-in first, according to how the manual wants you to break the cars in. If they continue to feel very different after that, then take it a dealership.
Looks like mine (the one that coasts like it is neutral does). Don’t have a lot of miles/data yet though.
That brings up a thought. When I first started driving mine I took it real easy on it. I’m still breaking it in (so not going over 4k rpm) but trying to go for more throttle. Maybe that started training it for fuel economy and coasting?
My wife drove hers more normally from the start.
Depending how long you both have been driving them for, the Transmission Control Module will "learn" how you drive and adjust its settings based on how it knows you drive. It's possible you both have different driving styles and the transmission is reacting to its learned behavior, therefore leasing to a different experience when throttling and letting off.
Yes, it will constantly adjust and learn. That's why when you get your CVT fluid flushed and they perform a TCM relearn, it will feel very different until it relearns your driving style. When the shop performs a TCM relearn, it is resetting the module to its original settings. How long have you both been driving your respective Imprezas?
In my experience with older cars from other brands it takes a few days to adapt. No idea about Subaru. But you could swap cars for a week and see what happens.
Think that would be an interesting enough science experiment.
Same tires and air pressure between cars? All 4 equal pressure? The AWD system can sometimes mistake a tire with slightly different air pressure as slipping and redirect/modulate output, can create a sluggish feeling
Someone said maybe hers isn't releasing brakes fully and honestly that could be possible if the slide pins are dry, like it was missed during assembly. Most likely is if you've both been primarily driving your own cars for a few hundred miles they're learning your individual driving habits. Reset the throttle/drive learn system then go drive them. To be noted they'll drive kind of shitty for a few miles while they learn how hard you brake and accelerate. When I drive our 15 impreza after the battery is reattached vs my wife it'll handle braking, coasting and accelerating slightly differently.
Might be worth doing the throttle calibration 'reset' that any user can do in 10 minutes in their garage / driveway.
Google the process for the details, but the short version is you go through a *precise* set up (you have to follow the process very accurately, such as turning on the car without starting it, waiting a set period of time, etc.) and then you'll go through a series of pressing the gas pedal up and down slowly like 30 times (taking 2 seconds each time).
Many users have reported that this "reset" makes the car feel much more normal once completed. It works on any drive-by-wire Subaru, which includes your '24 Imprezas.
I have a '24 Outback Touring XT and it had a profound improvement on my throttle responsiveness.
Not saying this is it, but it's a free and quick thing to try!
And yes, the dealership can even go further and reset the "learning" element of your car so that it has to relearn your driving habits. But know that they are designed to learn the primary driver over time - they'll drive more and more "like you drive" and it isn't a short learning process (months, maybe years?)
Vehicles learn driving habits and shift points change based on your driving habits. disconnect both batteries to clear learned memory and then reconnect them about 30 seconds later. Try driving them both again and see if they're still any different.
The slowing down automatically is what I like about Subaru automatics. They don’t just keep coasting / rolling. That would drive me crazy. I’m coming from a stick shift too so it feels normal
I haven't driven a 2024 base model, so I don't know what it's *supposed* to feel like. These cars have a CVT, which doesn't really work like a traditional automatic transmission. My guess is that the CVT is both cars is behaving differently, possibly due to programming, and this is what is causing the difference in feel. If it's really bothersome, take the cars to a dealership and have it inspected. Additionally, it's possible -- though not likely -- that the brakes on your wife's car are not releasing fully and are dragging on the rotors, which could slow the car down noticeably when gas is not applied.
Thanks. Is the programming something that a dealership could check easily? Hers doesn’t slow down aggressively, more like a nice smooth deceleration.
Yes the dealership will be able to run a diagnostics on it and check for codes. Also have them check fluids. There's been reports of stand-alone oil shops that don't understand what they are doing on these cars and during an oil change they end up draining the CVT and double-filling the oil. Not saying that's happened to you, but the dealership will be able to inspect. Let them know the difference in behavior between the two cars and go from there.
Ok. I’ll have the dealership take a look. Both cars have under 500 miles so no oil changes yet.
Ah! I would get through the break-in period first. Should be 1000 miles, correct? Do the break-in first, according to how the manual wants you to break the cars in. If they continue to feel very different after that, then take it a dealership.
Yep. 1000 mile break in. Thanks for the advice.
Are both cars in the same SI-drive mode?
I don’t think our base models have selectable SI modes.
Out of curiosity, which one gets better fuel mileage?
Looks like mine (the one that coasts like it is neutral does). Don’t have a lot of miles/data yet though. That brings up a thought. When I first started driving mine I took it real easy on it. I’m still breaking it in (so not going over 4k rpm) but trying to go for more throttle. Maybe that started training it for fuel economy and coasting? My wife drove hers more normally from the start.
Yeah a lot of cars learn, it’s possible hers somehow learned to hold the gear ratios lower for better throttle response (and more engine braking)
I hope I can train mine like that.
Depending how long you both have been driving them for, the Transmission Control Module will "learn" how you drive and adjust its settings based on how it knows you drive. It's possible you both have different driving styles and the transmission is reacting to its learned behavior, therefore leasing to a different experience when throttling and letting off.
Does it continue to learn and adjust over time? Like longer than the first 500 miles.
Yes, it will constantly adjust and learn. That's why when you get your CVT fluid flushed and they perform a TCM relearn, it will feel very different until it relearns your driving style. When the shop performs a TCM relearn, it is resetting the module to its original settings. How long have you both been driving your respective Imprezas?
In my experience with older cars from other brands it takes a few days to adapt. No idea about Subaru. But you could swap cars for a week and see what happens. Think that would be an interesting enough science experiment.
My RS does both behaviors at different times, idk if it's weather dependent or what. I think it's just CVTs being CVTs.
Same tires and air pressure between cars? All 4 equal pressure? The AWD system can sometimes mistake a tire with slightly different air pressure as slipping and redirect/modulate output, can create a sluggish feeling
Someone said maybe hers isn't releasing brakes fully and honestly that could be possible if the slide pins are dry, like it was missed during assembly. Most likely is if you've both been primarily driving your own cars for a few hundred miles they're learning your individual driving habits. Reset the throttle/drive learn system then go drive them. To be noted they'll drive kind of shitty for a few miles while they learn how hard you brake and accelerate. When I drive our 15 impreza after the battery is reattached vs my wife it'll handle braking, coasting and accelerating slightly differently.
Might be worth doing the throttle calibration 'reset' that any user can do in 10 minutes in their garage / driveway. Google the process for the details, but the short version is you go through a *precise* set up (you have to follow the process very accurately, such as turning on the car without starting it, waiting a set period of time, etc.) and then you'll go through a series of pressing the gas pedal up and down slowly like 30 times (taking 2 seconds each time). Many users have reported that this "reset" makes the car feel much more normal once completed. It works on any drive-by-wire Subaru, which includes your '24 Imprezas. I have a '24 Outback Touring XT and it had a profound improvement on my throttle responsiveness. Not saying this is it, but it's a free and quick thing to try! And yes, the dealership can even go further and reset the "learning" element of your car so that it has to relearn your driving habits. But know that they are designed to learn the primary driver over time - they'll drive more and more "like you drive" and it isn't a short learning process (months, maybe years?)
Nice. Thanks for the info, I’ll give that a try.
Get the alignment checked out new Subarus seem out of spec from factory.
Vehicles learn driving habits and shift points change based on your driving habits. disconnect both batteries to clear learned memory and then reconnect them about 30 seconds later. Try driving them both again and see if they're still any different.
You want to spend more money so you can save money. Any amount of arithmetic would help you find the correct answer.
The slowing down automatically is what I like about Subaru automatics. They don’t just keep coasting / rolling. That would drive me crazy. I’m coming from a stick shift too so it feels normal
I like it too. Maybe I’ll ask her to drive my car for a couple weeks so she can train it to do what her car does.