Does anyone experience drag when in low gears?

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Old 03-18-2005, 11:33 AM
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Does anyone experience drag when in low gears?

Let's say you're in 1st gear, and you let off the gas...does your WRX kinda jerk and drag a little if you're going really slow?

This'll happen all the time to me when I'm stuck in traffic...I'll get on it a bit, and when I let off...the car seems to kinda really feel like it's just lost all velocity, and will hunker down a bit...in a herky-jerky kinda way.

Is this because of the AWD? I have an 02 WRX...
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Old 03-18-2005, 11:37 AM
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i have an 02 wrx and i drive in traffic all the time... i think thats just normal but i don't really notice it...
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Old 03-18-2005, 01:19 PM
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Mine does too, I used to have a Toyota Tacoma that did the same thing. I assumed it is a Manual transmission thing.
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Old 03-18-2005, 01:50 PM
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^^^Same here.
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Old 03-18-2005, 05:41 PM
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That is normal. Vehicle speed is directly proportional to the engine speed in any particular gear. The reason why you feel a lot more is because of the low gearing/low speed. That is why it is very jerky when you get on the gas and off of it. There are springs in the clutch disc assembly help cushion some of this harshness.
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Old 03-18-2005, 05:47 PM
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It's called engine braking. You are using engine compression to slow the car down. Automatic transmissions don't do this because they are coupled by a torque convertor and bands and clutches that release or relieve pressure when you take your foot off the gas.
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Old 03-18-2005, 05:54 PM
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Oh...I know what it is...it's just so much more pronounced in my WRX. My FD3S has hardly any drag when I let off the gas at low speeds, and so did my Celica.

It seems like the WRX has more of a pronounced effect, is what I'm saying...and I was hoping it wasn't because something was f'ed up on it. I assume it's attributed to the AWD system mainly.
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Old 03-18-2005, 06:10 PM
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oh.
Well I don't know. Probably because the WRX engine has lighter rotating components than most engines and therefore has less rotational inertia. That would make the compression have a stronger effect with engine braking. I don't the the AWD would make much of a difference... unless you had engine braking before that was so strong it broke your tires loose.
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Old 03-18-2005, 11:46 PM
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I experienced the same in my 02 and STI. It's normal. When you feel it slip, then you're in trouble.

LaR
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Old 03-19-2005, 02:24 AM
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mine does the exact same thing and i thought something was wrong so i took it to waipahu subaru like 7 months ago and ed said it was normal, but braun said it was not. so...... i don't know. ed said i should change transmission fluid so they did, but nothing changed.
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Old 03-19-2005, 03:56 AM
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i just did a manual trans oil change.....feels much much much smoother when changing gears....just over all feels good...b'cuz its been 37k miles since i've changed the fluid...so the fluid was kinda dark and dirty...
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Old 03-19-2005, 04:15 AM
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Great..thanks for the advice...I really don't treat her that rough...but anything to make it better is worth it. I've got the crappy factory short shifter as well, so getting into 1st gear and reverse can be a biatch sometimes.
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Old 03-19-2005, 05:09 AM
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Originally Posted by ArchangelX
Oh...I know what it is...it's just so much more pronounced in my WRX. My FD3S has hardly any drag when I let off the gas at low speeds, and so did my Celica.

It seems like the WRX has more of a pronounced effect, is what I'm saying...and I was hoping it wasn't because something was f'ed up on it. I assume it's attributed to the AWD system mainly.
You, My friend , just brought back a whole lot of memories... FD3S(R1) <-- used to bring a big smile upon my face
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Old 03-19-2005, 11:45 AM
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Traded it in?

I bet the STI or EVO is more comfortable though...heheheh.
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