2009 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 226

Starting and operating 7-17 NOTE The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicle again. ! While going down a hill When you are descending a hill or any other slope while braking with the "SPORT" mode selected, the transmission may downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear depending on how hard you depress the brake pedal, causing engine braking to work. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to upshift normally. The function becomes operational when the vehicle reaches a speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h). Once operational, it prevents the selector lever from being moved from the "N" position to the "R" position. When the vehicle speed drops below 5 mph (8 km/h), the function is canceled. The selector lever can then be moved to the "R" and "P" positions. When the ignition switch has been turned to the "LOCK" position, movement of the selector lever from the "N" position to the "R" position is possible for a limited time period by depressing the brake pedal and then becomes impossible. Also, the selector lever cannot be moved to the "R" position after it has been placed in the "P" position and then placed again in the "N" position. When the movement of the selector lever from the "N" position to the "R" position has become impossible, turn the ignition switch back to the "ON" position then move the selector lever to the "P" position. Pressing the selector lever release button also makes it possible to move the selector lever to the "P" position at this time. ! Selector lever release button NOTE . A 4th-to-3rd automatic downshift will not occur at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) and a 3rd-to-2nd automatic downshift will not occur at speeds above 24 mph (38 km/h). . Automatic downshifts to 3rd or 2nd may occur even when driving on a level road depending on conditions, such as how hard you depress the brake pedal. If you inadvertently have turned the ignition switch to the "LOCK" position with the selector lever in the "N" position, proceed as follows. To remove the shift lock release cover, refer to the "Shift lock release" section in this chapter. Then, with a screwdriver inserted into the hole, move the selector lever to the "P" position. If the selector lever reverse inhibiting function fails, have the vehicle inspected by the nearest SUBARU dealer. & Selector lever reverse inhibiting function This function prevents accidental movement of the selector lever to the "R" position while the vehicle is moving. - CONTINUED -