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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon - READ ONLY

5922 messages,  Last post on Nov 07, 2006 at 12:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Wagon

Messages Page 196 of 593

#1942 of 5922 WRX brakes question! by heatherbean

May 19, 2002 (7:12 am)

First of all thanks to Tim and others who replied to my WRX questions!
 
I was looking through www.nhtsa.dot.gov at the Problem and Issues section for Subaru's. I found under customer complaints something shocking and very disturbing! Here is a summary of over 20 issues on bad brakes:
"THE BRAKING SYSTEM OFTEN FAILS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE TRAVELLING OVER A ROUGH OR BUMPY SURFACE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED (I HAVE HAD IT OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES, FROM 5 TO 35 MPH). IN THESE CASES THE ABS IS WRONGFULLY TRIGGERED UNDER MILD BRAKING, THEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF BRAKING POWER IS LOST AND THE CAR BARELY STOPS AT ALL. THIS BRAKING IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN FEEL AND PERFORMANCE FROM THE ABS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ( I.E. VERY HARD BRAKING ON A SMOOTH SURFACE. THE BRAKES WORK FINE IN THESE CASES.). THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT I AM HEARING ABOUT FROM OTHER 2002 IMPREZA/WRX OWNERS."
 
Have any of you had this problem? Please reply.
Thanks, Heather

#1943 of 5922 WRX brakes question! by hypov

May 19, 2002 (7:32 am)

Heather-
I wouldn't zero in on the WRX with that "problem".
I think it's a problem with the ABS in general (industry) and I think it's tough to replicate. The condition(s) has to be right (wrong) to produce such an effect.
I have the '98 OB and had had that experience, so it is not a WRX "problem". I have since I upped the psi on my OB to 34/33 and have not encounter this... until the next right (wrong) condition(s) is met - hope not.
 
-Dave

#1944 of 5922 Got this from Sport Compact Car by saintviper

May 19, 2002 (7:59 am)

SSC had an article on the WRX abs 'problem'. They basically said that the WRX abs systems was biased toward providing maximum steering control on extremely slippery surfaces, rather than providing maximum stopping ability.
 
What they found was that when most abs systems engage on ice, they do a decent job of stopping, but don't allow the wheel to respond to steering input. When the abs system releases the brakes on a very slippery surface, it takes a while for the wheel to start gripping and start turning again. The WRX abs system uses less braking force and pumps the brakes slower allowing the wheels to begin spinning again and giving the driver better steering control.
 
I found this very noticable when driving in snow. On all of the other abs cars that I have owned, once the abs system kicks in, the car slows down better, but almost all steering input is ignored. My WRX retains much better steering response than other my other cars once the abs kicks in.
 
These things are usually a trade off. Do you want to retain steering input, or better braking. Current technology doesn't really let you have both. That said, Subaru may have gone a little too far in one direction especially when the abs system kicks in on non-slippery surfaces when you would expect to have better traction. The abs system might also be a little to sensitive and engage at times when it's not really needed. Again, a trade off because on really slippery surfaces, you want it to kick in as soon as possible.
 
This may also provide an explanation for the WRX's less than stellar 60-0 braking numbers.
 
So basically what you have is an abs system that probably works as intended, but is so different than what people are used to that it makes them uncomfortable. I personally haven't run into this problem. I haven't had the system engage unexpectedly on dry roads, and prefer the way it works on extremely slippery surfaces.

#1945 of 5922 by locke2c

May 19, 2002 (8:04 am)

you forgot to mention that due to the viscous coupling being "live" at all times between the front and rear axles that the WRX's ABS is programmed to pulse ALL FOUR wheels after a lockup is detected at ANY WHEEL.
 
that's not the best way to stop fast.
 
-Colin

#1946 of 5922 WRX - NO question!! ;-) by stoner420

May 19, 2002 (8:41 am)

If you search on the NHTSA under 2002 Honda Accord, you will see this too:
 
Date of Failure: 04/26/2002
Component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:ANTI-SKID SYSTEM
Summary: BRAKE WAS APPLIED AT 35 MPH, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKING ACTION. ON SECOND ATTEMPT BRAKE GRABBED. DEALER REPLACED ABS MODULATOR.*AK
 
sound familiar? Apparently it's just a design artifact of ABS, possibly made worse by the 16" wheels, several people have said 17" wheels have helped (though I'm still gonna start with the 16"s); if it is particularly extreme in certain vehicles, it's probably due to an overly sensitive modulator unit.
 
personally, I didn't get the slightest hint of brake problems on the car I drove the other day at the dealer, in fact the brakes were noticeably stronger than in either of my two honda accords (one too many...
 
tmetravler wrote: They could have done it even, just to seperate wrx wag vs. 2.5 wag??
What do you think?
 
Personally, I think 62hp separates the wrx vs the 2.5, that's good enuf for me

#1947 of 5922 Thanks, I can't wait to pick it up..... by digidawg

May 19, 2002 (11:11 am)

Just wanted to pass along a sincere "thank you" to everyone who posts here. You've been a great help in helping me make the decision to go with the Scoobie badge. Prior to this car, I swore that I'd only buy Honda cars.
 
Like Wheeldog (who posted before in MSG #1904) I'll be picking up my silver Rex wagon this week. I can honestly say that this is the first car since my '87 CRX that I'm actually thrilled to be purchasing.
 
I live in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area and for $23,950 we got the car with the following options: bumper cover, added security system, mirror with compass, cargo tray and net, air filtration system, rear differential protector, rubber floor mats, and (as a specialty item) dealer installed heated seats. Essentially, we came in about $450.00 above true market value - which is what we're being charged for the heated seats.
 
So, if you're in this area and are looking for the Rex, the TMV seems to be accurate.
 
Also, like Wheeldog we're looking to take a Memorial weekend trip - any feedback on break-in and the like?
 
Thanks again,
 
DigiDawg

#1948 of 5922 Break-in by lilbluewgn02

May 19, 2002 (4:28 pm)

No Cruise control
Vary your speed
Don't go above 4000 RPM
There are more details in the manual

#1949 of 5922 Mpls/St.Paul Rex by socprofinblrex

May 19, 2002 (5:35 pm)

Digidawg,
 
I'm in Mpls near the Mississippi and the Falls. Only seen one silver wagon so far. Mine's black (the color everyone says is so hard to keep clean). Buddy at work has a blue wagon. Almost no one around here seems to know much about the WRX except guys in Hondas and Acuras. I'll look for you. Enjoy!
 
SOCPROFINBLREX (THOMAS)

#1950 of 5922 To wheeldog & digidawg- Congratulations! by revka

May 19, 2002 (6:08 pm)

Please keep us posted on your delivery experience. We look forward to hearing more.... Happy motoring.
 
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

#1951 of 5922 Thanks by wheeldog

May 19, 2002 (7:00 pm)

Revka,
Thanks - I'm really looking forward to picking up my new wagon. I found an excuse to drive by my dealership today so that I could visit my car. I found it sitting with a 'sold' tag on the rear view mirror, and with the options that I had asked to be added (gauge package and rear bumper cover).
 
Digidawg,
Congratulations on your new purchase - excellent choice!

Messages Page 196 of 593

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