[dewguzzlr]

Just got a '23 Sport and noticed that sometimes (~25%) when I coast to a stop, the engine will pause and fake-downshift near the last second - very frustrating. I'm trying to just glide to a halt, and it jolts me and sometimes it's far enough back where I've got to reapply the accelerator pedal to get to where I wanted to end up. I know there's no way to disable the fake shifts, but why on earth would they program it to do it in this situation?? Has anyone else experienced this or can recommend a way to bypass this behavior?

 

[boureesub]

For most new owners who report a “jolt” or “acceleration” while coasting to a stop, it turns out to be the torque converter unlocking. Happens at about 15 MPH while coasting to a stop.

You’re reporting it as increased engine braking, though, so maybe not.

 

[Vladder1]

8 months in on my 2022 Forester and I am still not quite used to the slight drag feel while coasting compared to my prior vehicles. I coast up to stop signs and lights a lot. This is my first CVT so I figured it was part of the tradeoff of a CVT. I think CVTs are more efficient when accelerating and cruising, but have that bit of extra drag feeling when coasting.
Although your reported behavior at low speed is the reverse of how most people perceive it. As @boureesub says above, a lot of people notice the torque converter unlocking at around 15-20 mph when coasting to a stop. It can feel like the car is lurching forward, but it is an illusion as the change in drag is so extreme when the torque converter unlocks. Again, if you are feeling it as dragging even more at that point, then there may be something else going on. You might just be perceiving this differently as the whole torque converter thing is a very weird effect that I still notice sometimes, even after 8 months.

 

[bigbird1]

My '23 Sport does exactly what you describe.
Another Subaru quirk that you need to ignore.
If you think that's annoying, have you used cruise control and seen what the engine rpm's do when you engage it at 60 mph?
I don't think you'll be too happy about that either.

 

[dewguzzlr]

My '23 Sport does exactly what you describe.
Another Subaru quirk that you need to ignore.
If you think that's annoying, have you used cruise control and seen what the engine rpm's do when you engage it at 60 mph?
I don't think you'll be too happy about that either.

I've had the car for a week and only used the cruise a couple of times on back roads.. not a typical cruise usage scenario but the adaptive cruise holding the curvy roads is impressive. I'm afraid to ask but I'm sure the RPMs are far higher than desired. Do all CVTs behave this way or is it a Subaru thing?

 

[bigbird1]

I've had the car for a week and only used the cruise a couple of times on back roads.. not a typical cruise usage scenario but the adaptive cruise holding the curvy roads is impressive. I'm afraid to ask but I'm sure the RPMs are far higher than desired. Do all CVTs behave this way or is it a Subaru thing?

Yes, at 60 mph the rpm rise by 500 and there's nothing you can do about it.
I can't speak for any other manufacturer, but this Subaru cruise behaviour is something fairly new, as in all '23's for sure, maybe some 22's?

 

[TTiimm]

Keep in mind that shift points are higher when the engine is cold.

This is by design and noted in the 2023 owner's manual.

I presume this includes allowing the engine to run at slightly higher RPMs when accelerating or deccelerating in continuously variable mode. I'm not one hundred percent sure but it makes sense because a CVT is actually "Shifting" continuously. Maybe ask to speak to a transmission tech next time the vehicle is in for service.

 

[bigbird1]

Keep in mind that shift points are higher when the engine is cold.

This is by design and noted in the 2023 owner's manual.

I presume this includes allowing the engine to run at slightly higher RPMs when accelerating or decellerating in continuously variable mode. I'm not one hundred percent sure but it makes sense because a CVT is actually "Shifting" continuously. Maybe ask to speak to a transmission tech next time the vehicle is in for service.

Already investigated, shop foreman says "normal behaviour".
Two other '23 Foresters I drove do the same.
My '18 Forester with adaptive cruise did not exhibit this behaviour.
There's a long thread on here already, started by me, that concludes it's a newer Subaru tweak to the trans programming to have the engine at higher rpm in cruise mode (manual or adaptive cruise, doesn't matter), to allow the CVT to respond to load changes more smoothly.
Yes, the CVT is very smooth during cruise engagement, but fuel economy, or lack thereof, sure takes a hit.

 

[TTiimm]

@bigbird1

My reply was (on-topic) re the discussion starter's issue with downshifting when coasting to a stop.

My reply had nothing to do with RPM's when using cruise control.

 

[bigbird1]

@bigbird1

My reply was (on-topic) re the discussion starter's issue with downshifting when coasting to a stop.

My reply had nothing to do with RPM's when using cruise control.

Sorry, I thought you were replying to me .My bad.

 

[zcrow]

Mine does that as well and honestly, now that I'm used to it I like it. I can cruise to a stop without having to use the brakes as much which will save some $ in brake jobs.