What is the noise when im downshifting to 2nd or 1st and using the engine to slow down.. it sounds like the reverse gear when i use 1st or 2nd to decelerate.. Is this noise normal?

I've got the same noise is 1st gear on my 02

Put 2-4 pounds more air pressure in your front tires relative to your rears. This took care of ~95% of my noise in 2nd and 3rd upon deceleration.

You use first gear to decelerate? :eek: I'd get out of that habit with a Subaru, the syncros suck and I'd imagine they will wear out very quickly with frequent downshifts to first gear.

what does the tire pressure have to do with the noise.. it doesn't sound like road noise, its more of the engine/tranny reverse noise.
And i hardly downshift to 1st, just mainly 2nd and 3rd for decel...

does it sound like that "reverse whine"?

isn't "reverse" just first gear turning the other direction anyways?

"what does the tire pressure have to do with the noise.. "
I really don't know, but I can speculate.;) There is more weight on the front wheels than the back because of the engine. This results in the tires being compressed more, which results in different effective rolling diameters of the front and rear tires. The center differential senses this difference in speed and is trying to correct.
Again, the above is purely conjecture on my part. But I can say, without a doubt, that by keeping my front tires at a higher pressure than my rears I have all but eliminated the deceleration noise that I (and all WRX owners) had. And yes, it is a distinct transmission type noise, not a road noise. In fact, I had a slow leak on my left front tire and I could tell when I needed to add air because the noise would come back as the tire lost pressure.

BTW, the manual recommends 32 front/ 29 rear IIRC. I run 38F/35R on my summer tires and 33F/30R on my winter set up.

I hope this helps, and enjoy your new car!

Read through these for some insight into the most common deceleration noises, and let us know if it's similar to what you're experiencing:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=216554&highlight=deceleration

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=282511&highlight=deceleration

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=277552&highlight=deceleration

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=120910&highlight=deceleration

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156659&highlight=deceleration

- Kai

thanks guys, It's just the normal decel. noise for these cars.

its just ur gears, nothing to worry about
next time u hear it listen to it and take it out of gear it will dissappear then reappear when u downshift again no big deal

Originally posted by Stanley
Put 2-4 pounds more air pressure in your front tires relative to your rears. This took care of ~95% of my noise in 2nd and 3rd upon deceleration.

:lol: :alien:

Well, did it work, 03WRX83?

ok, this is what I notice on my car....


I get that rattle noice mostly when decel only going downhill or road were is declined... (never happend to me when going uphill or even leveled street...) what I was thinking is that if you look underneath the engine or front bumper there are black covers that are made out of plastics (sensitive cheap material) and with the vibration when downshifting or anything above 2500 rpm those plastic makes sounds as well. tap a little bit or Hit with your fingers and hear that noise... So by adding more pressure to the front tire you're making your front car leveled with the rear tires...so whenever you go a declined road there's less noise or none. that's a possibility... and yes I think 90% of WRX make the decel sound...it's the nature of the engine plus design of the car.

I just assumed that noise was the differentials.. am I wrong? :P