I just bought a 2006 Subaru Imprezza Pre-Owned Certified from the dealer. I’ve noticed that when I’m driving, it “tugs” at a cruise. If I’m accelerating, it behaves just fine. But if I’m cruising along at a steady pace, especially below 40mph, it feels like the engine is tugging at me. Is this normal? It’s a manual transmission, but I’ve never had this kind of feeling from a manual transmission before.
How many RPM’s does the tachometer show? Sounds like you’re lugging the engine from being in a gear too high for your slow speed. What happens if you shift down 1 gear?
I know that’s what it sounds like, but it’s a different kind of tugging. I know how to drive stick, and this is not an issue of being in a low gear. I know what that feels like, and this is different. It’s not a jerking motion, it’s just tugging. The tach will show 2000 and I’ll be cruising at a very steady pace when it will do this. It’s a strange sensation that I’ve never felt when driving stick before. I can’t think of any other way to describe it other than “tugging.”
If the timing is off, which could be caused by a faulty timing advance it could cause this kind of problem. It would seem it is not the transmission that is lugging, but the engine. An other possibility is the fuel supply is being choked due to faulty sensors. I would take it to an auto parts store, and have the engine tested for computer codes to see if there is any indication there. If not, take it to the dealer for a diagnosis, then to an independent shop for repair. You can tell the dealer you are going for a second opinion.