I spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic in Phoenix (#7 in the nation for bad traffic, according to a report last week) and I have noticed something odd this week -- when I am cruising in second gear (2800-3000 RPM) and then let off the gas suddenly, the whole car "bucks" for a few seconds like I have improperly let the clutch out. Obviously, I am in gear the entire time and haven't even touched the clutch.

This happens at a low enough RPM that the turbo should not be spun up yet, and I am only lightly throttling in the first place; it isn't like I am stepping off WOT. Is this just a quirk of a hot turbocharged engine, or could this be a flywheel problem? 2nd gear has always been a noisy, balky gear in this car, but 2nd was such a pain in my previous car (a well-beaten BMW 325i) I'd gotten used to it.

 

That's normal when you shut the throttle. The wheels are forcing the drivetrain to turn faster than the engine wants to, and it acts like a brake. Roll off of the throttle more smoothly and it won't be as bad.

 

It does seem like normal engine behavior, but for some reason I notice it more now than before. I'm suspicious I got a tank of really crappy gas (the car has been bogging all week) and perhaps my driving behavior has changed as a result. Thanks BAN.

 

all the manual cars i've driven do that. my old accord liked to do that more than any other car though. driving around in 20mph rolling traffic was a pain to the passengers. to keep a smooth ride i had to ride the clutch a little.

 

My only 5spd CRX does that in 1st. If you let the throttle out it bucks like wild! Second isn't so bad, but in traffic it can be tough cause it'll be ready to stall and the car really doesn't like going into 1st at any speed. Sounds like WRX's are like that...I get a little worried when I read people jamming it into 1st. I've only been driving stick for 3 months and when it won't go into a gear I don't force it... just double clutch it or something. I plan on buying an 04 WRX 5sp in April. We'll see how it goes.

 

get sti grp n engine and transmission mounts.

they cut down on the bucking and lunging.

jm2c
ken

 

A little, but not much. My RS has all Group N mounts, but with the light flywheel it's REAL easy to look like a total noob if you back off the throttle in first or second gear. (Ask the people who have tried to drive my car. )