Car suddenly drives different (Auto)?
 

Hi guys,

Today I was driving about and although I didn't really notice it at first my car started to move/shudder side to side more than usual especially noticeable in low speeds and just before stopping.

The gear change also seems to be a lot more rougher with heavier engine braking causing my head to bob. When I accelerate the car seems to almost be unsteady.

Could there be an issue here? I am not sure If it is all in my head, at least I'm hoping so.

car has 150kms.
Thanks

You could perhaps have accidentally turned on "Sport" mode. This mode makes the car shift at higher RPMS and have more engine brake.

When "Sport" mode is activated, a green "SPORT" status indicator light will appear on the right side of the dash.

This mode will automatically de-activate any time the car is turned off. And the button will need to be pressed again for it to turn back on.

Also, it could behave differently due to different outdoor temperatures, elevations, whether or not the engine is warmed up, fuel octane ratings, etc.

- Frankie

I'd check the wheels. Lose wheel nuts may feel like that.

It wasn't in Sport mode and I think the wheels are fine, no one else have experienced this?

I haven't experienced the side to side feelings other then when I drive on a certain freeway exit that has wavy grooves in the pavement. The car reacts very sensitively to road imperfections. I have felt at times that the acceleration was "different" and the engine brake was more intense, but usually dismissed it and assumed it was one of the factors I listed in my first post.

I think the only way you can get a for sure opinion is to:
A) Take it to the dealership and describe what your feeling and how it is different from what you normally feel so they can test drive it.
B) Ride in another GT86 and see if it feels drastically different from yours.
C) Keep driving and see if the issue reveals more symptoms. I see you only have 150km on your car, maybe it is just in your head after all!

- Frankie

If it was an old car with substantial mileage I'd suggest catastrophic failure of wheel bearings or even the differential, if the problem persists after all 4 wheels have been off and put back on again.
Is there any clanking or grinding noise connected to this behaviour? If so, I'd take it to the dealer on a flatbed truck. If not, I'd drive it carefully to the dealer.

No abnormal noises

Another problem I have is that I got the 150km (93 Miles) on just less than half a tank of fuel which to me is ridiculous, more so on an auto!

The fuel gauge is not very accurate on this car. And it's thirsty if you drive "spirited".
What does the average fuel consumption read? (You find it by pressing the DISP button to cycle through various info. Ref. page 195 of your BRZ owners manual)

13.8L/100km or 17MPG

Then it all depends on your driving style, you should be able to see under 8L/100km if you drive "normally" on the highway.

This sounds like a dealer question. Ide start with doing 1 of your free services no matter what milage youre at, this will rotate the tires and give you fresh oil. If that doesn't do anything ide change the tranny fluid. Beyond that the dealer needs to do for free to make it right for you.

Honestly I think I am overreacting a little but on the question of transmission and gear change, in an automatic transmission, when you very slowly come to a stop do you feel the car shudder just before coming to a full stop?

Mine did this when it threw a CEL because of the torque app. Clearing the code made the car behave normally again.

I didn't do anything to my car 100% stock, what could have led to this?