2008 Subaru Outback Owner's Manual - Page 269

7-28 Starting and operating selector lever or the paddle shift switch behind the steering wheel (if equipped). ! Using the paddle shift (if equipped) Also, if you subsequently ease off the accelerator pedal and then accelerate again, the transmission will automatically switch back from manual mode to normal mode. CAUTION Do not place or hang anything on the paddle shift levers. Doing so may result in accidential gear shifting. NOTE ! Using the selector lever Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly pushing the selector lever toward the "+" end of the manual gate. Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly pulling the selector lever toward the "−" end of the manual gate. Pull the "+" of the paddle shift to upshift one level. Also pull the "−" of the paddle shift to downshift one level. To deselect the manual mode, return the selector lever to the "D" position from the manual gate. While driving, if you change gears by paddle shifting, the gear position indicator light comes on and shows the current gear condition. At this time, the normal mode temporarily changes to the manual mode, and after driving for a short period of time, the transmission mode returns to the normal mode. (The timing of the gear change and return is different, depending on driving conditions existing when paddle shifting.) Please read the following points carefully and bear them in mind when using the manual mode. . If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the downshift is not possible. . If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the transmission will not respond. . You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating the selector lever or a paddle switch twice in rapid succession. . The transmission automatically selects 1st gear when the vehicle stops