Subaru Impreza WRX STi may bust a piston ring at redline Blog Post at Automotive.com
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WRX STi Owners Reminded Their Cars are Not Immortal

Subaru Impreza WRX STi may bust a piston ring at redline
Posted September 4 2008 02:51 PM by staff 
Filed under: Opinion, Subaru, Hatchbacks, Sports

When you have a car like the Subaru WRX STi, you’re not inclined to take things easy. That would defeat the point of buying the car in the first place. It would be a disservice to the car itself, an insult, a crime. However, it should be remembered that nothing lasts forever.



According to Performance Car, bringing a STi over the “red line” (above 6,700 RPM) repeatedly or continuously can result in abnormalities in the combustion process, resulting in serious damage in the form of a broken piston ring lands. Of course, there is a work-around for pedal happy drivers that bought a STi just for this purpose -- Subaru has already developed modified Engine Control Module software logic that will improve combustion when over the “red line.”

Authorized Subaru dealerships will service vehicles free of cost once you have received your official notice.

Our take? It would be wise to keep your engine below 6,700 RPMs until you have had this service completed; or you can drive your car to the ground, that’s fine, too.




COMMUNITY COMMENTS
tomemartin   (September 7 2008 09:42 AM)

Only a real dim bulb revs over the red line! Why would engineers establish a red line if it was OK to rev past them. I set the rev limiter to 500 RPMs below redline on my WRX Sti.
I've got a set of Michelin Alpin tires on ASA wheels for sale. Great winter tires. $550.
Tom 509-784-1808
 
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Buyers Guide

2009 Subaru Impreza
Body Style:
Wagon, Sedan
Rating:
Poor
Fuel Economy:
19 city / 24 highway