# CVT at low speeds, Subaru **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 15, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627 "2014-08-15T15:37:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/1 "2014-08-15T15:37:00Z")
I have a new 2015 Subaru Forester and I noticed the following problem: When driving at a constant low speed, in the 20-30 MPH range, the car bucks/hesitates slightly off and on, while driving. At first I thought the engine was missing, but I noticed the RPM was at about 1000 RPM, very low. And a missing engine would cause a “check engine” warning. So I think this is a combination of the CVT and the engine lugging. The CVT should move down a notch to a lower “gear” but it doesn’t, so the engine is forced to operate at a problem speed. A normal transmission would downshift, I would think. Can anyone else with a similar model verify this? Can I do anything to solve this, other than manually shift to the low range? ---
**Author:** ![wesw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wesw/32/2713_2.png) [@wesw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wesw)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/2 "2014-08-15T15:42:30Z")
sounds like a warranty covered problem, have you asked the dealer? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/3 "2014-08-15T16:02:49Z")
I would take it to the dealer, have them check it out, and test drive another one to see if they all do it. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/4 "2014-08-15T16:12:49Z")
+1 to the preceding comments. And, I will add that with automatic transmissions nowadays, it is not unusual for car manufacturers to periodically revise the programming, and it is just possible that the dealership may have a download that they can apply to your TCM. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/5 "2014-08-15T16:36:46Z")
thanks, I’ll talk to the dealer. Bill ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/6 "2014-08-16T03:37:45Z")
+2 about taking it to the dealer. I have a 2014 Subaru Legacy with the CVT, but I understand the 2015 is a new generation of CVT that is supposed to be “better”. Like all new generations, there are usually bugs to work out. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 6:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/7 "2014-08-16T06:48:26Z")
Since this is at such a low throttle opening, be sure your foot is steady on the gas pedal. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/8 "2014-08-16T08:16:54Z")
CVTs can have problems and programming is a big part of how the transmission works. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 9:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/9 "2014-08-16T09:02:35Z")
I agree with the suggestion to take it to get checked out AND to test drive another of the same for comparison. Let us know how you make out. If it turns out to be a characteristic of this powertrain, you’ll be contributing to our knowledge base so we can better help others. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/10 "2014-08-21T00:04:56Z")
insightful: my last car was a Passat V6, which moved along fine at 1000 RPM and 20 MPH, so I have practice at this. Bill ---
**Author:** ![PeterB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/977dab/32.png) [@PeterB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PeterB1)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 11:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/11 "2018-03-28T11:45:19Z")
Hey Bill, This is the old thread, anyway I have to ask: I have the same exactly problem with my Forester 2016, as you describe. Have you figure out what was the problem? Peter. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/12 "2018-03-28T12:07:46Z")
no, dealer said no problem. I learned to live with it. Don’t notice it much now. ---
**Author:** ![PeterB1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/977dab/32.png) [@PeterB1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PeterB1)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/13 "2018-03-28T12:41:11Z")
Thanks for answer! That’s sad, as currently I spend 90% of time in traffic and it’s very annoying I must tell you. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cvt-at-low-speeds-subaru/86627/14 "2018-03-28T18:02:28Z")
Ask the dealer, you may get some useful info. Let me know if you do.