2009 Subaru Impreza Rattling, underpowered

jerryfarina

Hi everyone. I have a 2009 Impreza, 5-door, 4 speed automatic. Ever since I got the car last summer, I've had a problem with the engine rattling while accelerating, especially uphill. If I am getting onto the freeway, for example, the car will shift into 3rd and rattle for a bit, then shift into 4th (too soon in my opinion) with a lot of rattle and no power. The rattle is similar to the sound a car makes when you shift in too high of a gear for the speed you're going in a manual transmission car. If I give the car extra gas to make it downshift, I have more power and there is less rattling, but still some. So I think it's the transmission. The car definitely does not stay in 3rd as long as it should and in general doesn't know when to shift at the right speeds. Anyone know how I can fix this? thanks.

saedave

Move the shift lever one notch to the left in the drive position for higher shift points....and poorer fuel economy.

ateixeira

That'll engage Sport mode, which should help. You can also tap to choose when you want the shifts.

fokus22

Hi,
Nothing you can do about the lack of power.
Good news, I found where the Rattling is coming from. (Sins car was new it was bugging me) Very easy fix, but took a lot of time to isolate it. The air filter box has an attachment underneath of it. Looks like a 1 gallon milk container, made of white plastic. It’s hiding between the fender and body frame. Hard to see. (Before you do anything do an easy test. move the filter box rapidly, if you hear rattle, that’s your problem.) Need to unhook one wire connector air intake hood, air intake sleeve and two bolts holding the filter box. Pool the box all the way up. Then attach foam couching to the side of that plastic container that is closer to the body frame. (First I just jammed good two inches thick peace of foam in between that container and the body frame, test drove the car, the rattling was gone). Then just put everything back together and enjoy the quiet and underpowered ride.
If that helped you (or anyone else) please send me an e-mail: fokus22@hotmail.com . I will collect it and if i have enough supporting information I will try to request the recall from manufacturer.
Thanks.