2011 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 276

Starting and operating 7-17 ! D (Drive) This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to 4th according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require. When more acceleration is required in this position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift to 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position. To use the "SPORT" mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate. To use the manual mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate then move it toward the "+" and "−" ends. ! While climbing a grade When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is prevented from taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting resulting in a smoother operation of the vehicle. 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. 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. the "P" position to any other position before the brake pedal is depressed. Depress the brake pedal first, and then operate the select lever. . Only the "P" position allows you to turn the key from the "Acc" position to the "LOCK" position and remove the key from the ignition key cylinder. . If the ignition switch is turned to the "LOCK" position while the select lever is in the "N" position, the select lever may not be moved to the "P" position after a period of time. Therefore, move the select lever to the "P" position with the brake pedal depressed soon after the ignition switch is turned to the "LOCK" position. ! Shift lock release If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the "ON" position then move the select lever to the "P" position with the brake pedal depressed. If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, perform the following steps. . When the select lever cannot be shifted from "P" to "N": Refer to "Shift lock release using the shift lock release button" F7-18. - CONTINUED - & Shift lock function The shift lock function helps prevent the improper operation of the select lever. . The select lever cannot be operated unless the ignition switch is turned to the "ON" position and the brake pedal is depressed. . The select lever cannot be moved from NOTE The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the