Hey folks,

Just recently purchased a 2011 TL SH-AWD w/ Tech Package 6-Speed Manual.

It is a huge step in another direction I can say from my 2011 Subaru WRX. Long story short, I ended up trading the WRX for a Forester to give to my father due to myself not driving since I was working in the city. Then moved jobs and now I need to drive so I decided to buy used and got this awesome TL.

In any case. It has just a little over 60K miles on it and there is something I noticed and was hoping I can get some feedback from some of you guys out here.

When shifting from 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th between 5000 RPMS, I can hear something odd when pushing the clutch down all the way. I can also feel a bit of feedback in the clutch. The super weird thing is that it doesn't happen if I go above 5K or below it. It's right around 5K where it feels just a bit weird. Is this something I should be worried about? Anyone else have this?

Thanks in advance! Happy New Years!

 

can you be specific in the sound you hear such as rumble, whistle vibration clunks, a loud bang so we can pin point a figure out exactly what feedback your getting from gear changing

 

Yeah sure!

To me it sounds like a grinding noise. I'm going to try and take a better listen today. But the weird thing is, I rarely go that high on RPMs. I normally shift between 2.5K and 3.5K. And I never hear that grinding noise. And a couple of times I shifted closer to 6K and I didn't hear it either.

Like I said I'll definitely try to listen again to verify today.

Thanks!

 

Vtec kicks in @ 5k RPM so maybe it has something to do with that...?

 

^maybe the vtec solenoid is engaging at 5k and by not accelerating through the gear, OP can feel the cams on the verge of switching to that higher lobe profile?

 

Okay so I turned off my AC and Audio. Started at a stop sign and then went into first all the way to 5K RPM. Once shifting from 1st to 2nd, I can hear something ever so slightly.. It was super light so I dont' think that's anything. Going from 2nd to 3rd was definitely was audible and can feel it through the clutch. Same goes for 3rd to 4th. I would say it was the same decibel as the 2nd to 3rd and same feedback to the clutch. Couldn't really get to 5K after that with the other gears due to speed limit restrictions and open road.

I don't know if I should be worried as this really only happens when I'm really pushing the car. I noticed when driving "normally" (below 5k shifts) there is absolutely nothing that sounds or feels weird.

Another thing I noticed when shifting at 5K or even higher was that it almost seemed like as soon as I let go of the accelerator and hit the clutch, it sounded (couldnt' confirm visually) like it was still accelerating for a split second.

E.g. hits about 5K rpm then I let go of accel, hit clutch, sounds like its now at maybe 5.1 or 5.2K rpm.

Any thoughts folks?

Thank you

 

I wish I could help. I am curious though why are you shifting at 5k RPM when you're pushing it? Why not get closer to the redline? On those occasions where I'm driving it like I stole it I shoot for 6.5k shifts...gotta get the most out of that vtec, haha!

 

Haven't had such an issue, but keep the info coming. I'm curious (I push over 5000 rpm fairly regularly).

 

Welcome to the world of 'rev hang' lol

<p align="center">Rev hang and ways of eliminating it

The throttle basically stays open slightly longer (and closes more gradually) than your foot tells it to in order to reduce NOx numbers and improve emissions. Downside is when you simultaneously release the throttle and depress the clutch, that leftover electronic throttle action will make the engine RPMs rise.

I had the exact same confusing realization when I got my TL and somebody else on here had to point out the rev hang action... now, you can definitely notice when you lift off the throttle and can count 1-2 "Mississippi's" before the RPMs start to drop...

 

Well there are times where I just need to pass someone so I'll push it a bit further and won't really need to go past 5K. There have been times where I did shift above 6K and it seems to be okay at that point. I don't really feel any feedback, but I'll try that again as well with the AC off to get the cabin even quieter.

You know.. it totally did cross my mind that this is rev hanging. So I take it that's completely normal?

I just recently heard about this whole rev hang idea with the new 2015 WRX and I've heard that was intentionally implemented as you were saying that it's supposed to improve the emissions or whatever. So I'm not super worried about that part. It's more about the sound and feedback in the clutch that I'm slightly worried about.

 

Staring to believe more and more that it's just the rev hanging that's messing with my mind.

 

considering the fact it is a SOHC, i'd doubt it.

 

it's still two cams.
there is still a vtec solenoid.