4EAT shifting early

[LegacyDeluxe]

For some reason, it seems like my AT is shifting too early............particularly from a crawling speed, from 1st to 2nd. It seems as though I can only wind out 1st gear if I'm coming from a dead stop, and mash the gear. Otherwise, it shifts into second before i get over maybe 5 or 10mph.....roughly 2k rpms.
I can mash the gas all I want to try to get it to downshift, but it won't into 1st gear..........fine downshifting in other gear combos, though.


Is it time for service? Something broke? Typical of a Subaru?

[Huffer]

It's fairly typical especially on the earlier models - you didn't specify what year Subaru this is, but I'm guessing its a 95-99 model.

1st gear is very short on Subarus, and the AT's shift "early" to avoid premature wear on the engine if it's warming up.

One way to improve shifting is to clean or upgrade your electric grounds - I kid you not.

[LegacyDeluxe]

Wow......that's interesting. Thanks for the tip. I thought about a ground kit......I just think they look gawdy.........like someone did a tacky job of wiring a stereo amp. I might get a kit anyways though, if it helps......maybe black wires would look more subtle.


My car is a 99 L 2.2, btw.

[green97gt]

I had always understood that electronic controlled auto trans would shift late/hold lower gears when cold, in an effort to bring the engine up to op temp faster..

throttle input is also a big factor(im not sure how much these cars "learn" your driving style) but if you pamper it around with a light foot it will shift early all the time.

our 97gt goes into second at like 10mph if were just tooling around the lake or something

[LegacyDeluxe]

I dunno about "learning driving style", but ironically, now that you've said that, and given the fact I've made a conscious effort to drive my foot into the floor-board, it seems to be downshifting better today. Maybe I was being to easy with the pedal and I'm scooted a little far back.

These cars are very different than what I'm used to.

I've always driven a Crown Vic work vehicle, and fox-body Mustang (5spd). This is my first import.

[LegacyDeluxe]

Sitting here thinking at work.......not able to look just yet............is this tranny electronically controlled, or is it controlled by cable from the throttle position?

I'm thinking either a cable adjustment could be the culprit, a throttle position sensor of some sort, or some other electronic means.

[ouch1011]

Pretty sure all the Legacies used electronically controlled trans.

TPS is a possibility, but it would cause weird shifting in all gears.

My old 4EAT would hold gears longer when it was cold, and shift harder.

[LegacyDeluxe]

yeah......sometimes shifting into 2nd is a little harsh at times.