Hello all. I have a 1992 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon and it's been
working pretty well up 'till now. It starts just fine and when I shift
into drive the car runs fine. But when I go up a hill, the tachometer
suddenly leaps up to 4 or 5 but the speedometer refuses to go above 25
MPH. Then, when I stop at a light and try to go, the car seems and acts
like it's in neutral. I press down the accelerator and the engine revs
but the car doesn't move. But when I turn the car off and start it up
again I can accelerate up to 30 MPH for about 2 minuets, then the RPM
leaps up to 4 or 5 and the speedometer drops back down to 25 MPH. The
car ran fine yesterday but this afternoon, the first time I had driven
it since yesterday, all these problems popped up. A few people I have
talked to think that it's a problem with the transmission. Anyone else
ever have this problem with your Subaru? Or does anyone know what the
problem might be? Thanks.

I assume it is an auto since you mentioned "drive". Yes you have a
transmission issue. First thing to do is get out your owners manual.
Follow the directions to check the AT fluid level and condition.

I agree the problem may just be the transmission is low on ATF. If so you
need to determine where the ATF was lost. Real good chance the ATF now in
the transmission is "toast". All that slipping generates a lot of heat and
"kills" the ATF. If the ATF is a dark color and has a burnt smell replace
it.