[ryan_calif]

Hi everyone

I went out and bought a 2014 Forester with a 6-spd manual over the weekend and have a question regarding clutch usage.

Before the Forester I had an Xterra with a manual. I noticed that it's a bit easier to start off from a stop in the Xterra than with the Forester. I could engage the clutch with engine speed pretty close to idle and it would take off nice and smoothly. With the Forester it seems like I need to give it a bit more juice (~1-1.5k rpm) to get it started smoothly, otherwise it starts lugging and rubberbanding.

Is this pretty normal with this engine/transmission setup? Obviously, I'd like to maximize clutch life here.

Other than that, loving my new ride so far! Thanks

 

[Inactive_131113]

Less torque and all wheel drive means more slippage is required. It's always best to slip for the longevity of the vehicle. Not excessive, but more than a typical 2wd vehicle.

 

[Ntalsbn]

How many miles on the Xterra? Once your new clutch breaks/wears in a little you will be able to start out from idle in the Subie also. You may also be getting used to the Subarus electronic throttle which probably has a very different action than the cable throttle in your old car.

 

[crewzer]

Before the Forester I had an Xterra with a manual

What engine in the Xterra?

Welcome to the forum!
Jim / crewzer

 

[adc]

Can't speak for the Subaru...but 50+ years driving clutch vehicles I slip as humanly little as possible at the lowest rpm possible without jerking. Never replaced 1 clutch in all that time. No reason I can see that it would be different in this vehicle. Might just take a tad more driving depending on your level of experience.

I drove an08 when I was shopping and don't recall anything different...I am sure I would have noticed. Both auto and manual were fine. I wanted a manual bit it was the wife's vehicle so I lost the battle...yes'''she started driving a manual on my then new '69 Camaro she can handle it.

 

[CinderBlock]

Less torque and all wheel drive means more slippage is required. It's always best to slip for the longevity of the vehicle. Not excessive, but more than a typical 2wd vehicle.

This would be my guess. Torque in particular.

 

[Noodles14]

Just get use to it. I think it is one of the best manuals I've had. I also thought the same thing for the first 2000 miles. First gear is low and you have to shift to second quickly.

 

[ryan_calif]

Thanks for all of the replies!

It looks like the consensus is to just get used to it! I can do that.

 

[YoGeorge]

Yup, just get used to it. I've owned a lot of stick shift cars since 1970 and they all have their own sweet spots for smooth and low-friction driving style. You'll get used to it. I have an '09 Foz with a stick and the availability of a manual was a primary reason I chose a Subaru. I've got 68k miles on it as of tonight.

Many safe and happy miles to you,
George

 

[FLdrummer]

I learned to drive on Chevy truck clutches. It took me about a year to adjust to the Subaru clutch when I got my Forester. Be patient - you will adjust - it just might not happen as quickly as you would like.

 

[cohocarl]

... otherwise it starts lugging and rubberbanding.

Is this pretty normal with this engine/transmission setup?

My '14 6-speed just turned over 5,000 miles. I was hoping the clutch engagement would smooth out after a few miles, but it hasn't. I'm 52, and with the exception of one vehicle in my lifetime, all have been manuals.
I have to admit, I think this is the worst vehicle I have owned as far as the feel of the clutch engagement. When I take it in for it's oil change, I think I may have them take a look at it. I'm wondering if the hydraulic clutch line was never bled correctly and may have a little air in the line.

 

[Guest]

Have they come out with a master cylinder brace for the '14s yet? Previous year Foresters have terrible clutch feel because the firewall is so flexible.

 

[stan_t]

I had an '01 V6 Frontier before the Forester, close enough to Xterra. It felt like a truck, probably had a heavy flywheel and short first gear, it was made easy to start in first since it's a truck (towing, carrying load, etc). Forester will feel more like a car because it's built like one. Should still be very easy to drive as far as manuals go, especially with hill holder.

Stan

 

[ryan_calif]

I had an '01 V6 Frontier before the Forester, close enough to Xterra. It felt like a truck, probably had a heavy flywheel and short first gear, it was made easy to start in first since it's a truck (towing, carrying load, etc). Forester will feel more like a car because it's built like one. Should still be very easy to drive as far as manuals go, especially with hill holder.

Stan

Do the new models have the hill holder feature?

 

[Husker]

Do the new models have the hill holder feature?

Yes the new models have the hill assist feature.

 

[winmag4582001]

Less torque and all wheel drive means more slippage is required. It's always best to slip for the longevity of the vehicle. Not excessive, but more than a typical 2wd vehicle.

^+1
The hill assist is nice but you do have to raise the RPMs to start the vehicle on an incline.

 

[GMork]

Can't speak for the Subaru...but 50+ years driving clutch vehicles I slip as humanly little as possible at the lowest rpm possible without jerking. Never replaced 1 clutch in all that time. No reason I can see that it would be different in this vehicle. Might just take a tad more driving depending on your level of experience.

I agree completely to adc - same experiences driving 42 years clutch vehicles, 3 Subarus included.
I even use my MT cars since 35 years for hunting purposes.
The FWD cars for "very light" off-roading, the AWD cars for "normal" or sometimes even harder off-roading, but never a replacement of a clutch.

 

[Amber Foresty]

I really wish that my '01 Forester had a hill holder! I don't even know if I would be able to put one on a Forester that wasn't made to have it. :$

I have to put the RPM's on my Forester to around the 1.3ish k level so that it doesn't shake, but my clutch also has issues and some play around the top, so it catches a bit less than if it had a better clutch. Suppose I destroyed it learning how to drive it, but now I'm actually good at it, so I know how to deal with the weird clutch. Therefore, my case might not be an accurate representation of Subarus... haha.

 

[jstawgn]

I never driven 14+ model but from my experience the extra RPM and clutch slipping are because of the super soft rear differential mount bushing on my 07. You always feel the need to rev it a lot higher than needed because if not you get that lurching back and forth feeling.

The rear diff mount bushing are stupidly soft and flexible.

I fill mine with hot glue and it much better. Problem is they do not last long. It seems I have to redo it once a year. I am going to try 3M fast cure windshield sealant to see if they last longer.

This is more of what I am talking about http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/drivetrain-lurch-back-forth-123364/


The 09+ model you could buy poly bushing insert that are really easy to install.

Maybe 14+ model could use the same bushing insert.

 

[mcktimo]

hill holder and towing in reverse

I wonder if it the hill holder that makes it impossible to use my Forester to back my little boat up a little hill?

Do the new models have the hill holder feature?