I've got an interesting problem with my 2003 Outback Sport. It's a 2.5L auto with 67k miles and has some odd response to throttle. I always thought it was a little unusual, but I really noticed it today trying to turn left from a stop through a somewhat small gap in oncoming traffic.

 

Since I've had a full size outback with the same engine and fully expected to easily accelerate through the gap with this smaller car, I was surprised when the engine bogged down as I stepped down harder on the accelerator. It's almost like the transmission is in second gear when it should be in first. The sound of the engine gets deeper as I try to accelerate and just seems like the car is straining without being able to accelerate.

 

Any ideas? I'm wondering if it's a problem with getting enough air into the engine or as I mentioned above the auto transmission overgearing the engine. The possible transmission issue also interests me since it seems slow to downshift in response to more throttle if I'm trying to quickly speed up to pass slower traffic. It takes a pretty serious stomp on the accelerator to get it to downshift. In fact, I often shift to 3rd with the shift lever if I know I need quick accleration when I'm already traveling at speed.

 

Thanks!

has anyone replaced the air filter or had the air box off recently?...We have these complaints every week or so...people dont install the air box lid properly so it never latches down...and on acceleration you get like a deep growling noise...I would make sure that your airbox is tight first....before we go digging...lol

ive noiced that with computer controlled transmissions (on any car) they quickly adapt to driving style. if you drive like an old lady then they act like you describe. you can fix this, temporarily, by driving with the gas either completly on or off, no inbetween for a short stretch. it doesnt take much for the computer to think theres a new driver and act diffrent.

Thanks for the replies. I think either suggestion could be the answer, or both. I do tend to drive like an old lady, actually, so maybe the transmission has adjusted and isn't ready for the very rare hard jump from a stop.

 

I did, however, have the airbox off a couple months ago when it got so cold outside that the car wouldn't start. It was getting into double digits below zero. I tried taking the airbox off and spraying some starting fluid into the throttle, not realizing that the real problem was moisture somewhere in the fuel lines that had frozen. The starting fluid burned off and then the car died and still wouldn't start.

 

I was surprised at how complex the air ducts were compared to my 97 Outback. That car seemed to just have a tube from the filter straight to the throttle body, whereas this car has a couple extra plastic chambers that just fit together without any fasteners. What are those about? I took a look at the intake ducts and didn't see any obvious problems. The air filter cover is snapped on fine and none of the joints in the ducts appear loose. Is there anything in particular I should check in this area?

False alarm, everyone. Turns out I'm just a big dufus. The bottom of the air filter housing wasn't fitting together properly. I think my hands were too cold to feel it when I was messing with it when it was so cold outside.

 

Good call on the air filter housing!

glad it was something easy....believe me as a Subaru Tech I see this problem about once a week....