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EnglishStarting and operating -> Continuously variable transmission for your Subaru Forester 2019-2024
Continuously variable transmission 323
.
Never move the vehicle as fol-
lows. Doing so may result in an
unexpected accident or malfunc-
tion.
& Continuously variable trans-
7-7. Continuously variable
transmission
mission features
The continuously variable transmission is
electronically controlled and provides an
infinite number of forward speeds and 1
reverse speed. It also has a manual mode
or an “L” position.
WARNING
–
Moving rearward by inertia
with the select lever set in a
forward driving position.
Do not shift from the “P” or “N”
position into the “D” or “R” position
while depressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause the vehicle
to jump forward or backward.
–
Moving forward by inertia with
the select lever set in the “R”
position.
NOTE
.
When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is still low, the transmission will
shift at higher engine speeds than
when the coolant temperature is
sufficiently high in order to shorten
the warm-up time and improve dri-
veability. The gearshift timing will
automatically shift to the normal
timing after the engine has warmed
up.
.
When parking the vehicle, first
securely apply the parking brake
and then place the select lever in
the “P” position. Avoid parking
for a long time with the select
lever in any other position as
doing so could result in a dead
battery.
CAUTION
.
Observe the following precau-
tions. Otherwise, the transmis-
sion could be damaged.
–
Shift into the “P” or “R” posi-
tion only after the vehicle has
completely stopped.
.
Immediately after transmission fluid
is replaced, you may feel that the
transmission operation is somewhat
unusual. This results from invalida-
tion of data which the on-board
computer has collected and stored
in memory to allow the transmission
to shift at the most appropriate times
for the current condition of your
vehicle. Optimized shifting will be
restored as the vehicle continues to
be driven for a while.
–
Do not shift from the “D”
position into the “R” position
or vice versa until the vehicle
has completely stopped.
.
Do not race the engine for more
than 5 seconds in any position
except the “N” or “P” position
when the brake is applied or
when chocks are used in the
wheels. This may cause the
transmission fluid to overheat.
.
When driving a CVT model under
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Continuously variable transmission
324
continuous heavy load conditions
such as when towing a camper or
climbing a long, steep hill, the en-
gine speed or the vehicle speed may
automatically be reduced. This is not
a malfunction. This results from the
engine control function maintaining
the cooling performance of the ve-
hicle. The engine and vehicle speed
will return to a normal speed when
the engine is able to maintain the
optimum cooling performance after
the heavy load decreases. Driving
under a heavy load must be per-
formed with extreme care. Do not try
to pass a vehicle in front when
driving on an uphill slope while
towing.
The continuously variable transmis-
sion is a chain type system that
provides superior transmission effi-
ciency for maximum fuel economy.
At times, depending on varying
driving conditions, a chain operat-
ing sound may be heard that is
characteristic of this type of system.
& Select lever
1
2
Models with “L” position
Models with manual mode
Type A
1
Select lever button
: With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while pressing the select lever button
in.
: Shift while pressing the select lever
button in.
.
: Shift without pressing the select lever
button.
The select lever has four positions, “P”,
“R”, “N”, “D” and it also has an “L” or “M”
gate.
NOTE
.
For some models, to protect the
engine while the select lever is in
the “P” or “N” position, the engine is
controlled so that the engine speed
may not become too high even if the
Type B
Select lever button
1
Continuously variable transmission 325
accelerator pedal is depressed hard.
When you change the select lever
position, make sure to move the
select lever firmly to the selected
position.
pedal. For details, refer to “Shift lock
function” �P327.
ing while corresponding to the road grade.
.
When more acceleration is required in the
“D” position, depress the accelerator pedal
fully to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift.
In this case, the transmission will operate
like a conventional automatic transmis-
sion. When you release the pedal, the
transmission will return to the original gear
position.
! N (Neutral)
This position is for restarting a stalled
engine. In this position, the transmission is
neutral, meaning that the wheels and
transmission are not locked. Therefore,
the vehicle will roll freely, even on the
slightest incline unless the parking brake
or foot brake is applied.
! P (Park)
This position is for parking the vehicle and
starting the engine. In this position, the
transmission is mechanically locked to
prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.
For models with manual mode, if one of the
shift paddles behind the steering wheel is
operated while driving in the “D” position,
the transmission will temporarily switch to
the manual mode. In this mode, you can
shift into any gear position using the shift
paddles. For details about the manual
mode, refer to “Selection of manual mode”
�P326. Once the vehicle speed stabi-
lizes, the transmission will switch from the
manual mode back to the “D” position for
normal driving.
Avoid coasting with the transmission in
neutral. Engine braking has no effect in
this condition.
When you park the vehicle, first apply the
parking brake firmly, then shift into the “P”
position. Do not hold the vehicle with only
the mechanical friction of the transmission.
WARNING
To shift the select lever from the “P”
position to any other position, you should
depress the brake pedal fully then move
the select lever. This prevents the vehicle
from lurching when it is started.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
select lever in the “N” (neutral)
position. Engine braking has no
effect in this condition and the risk
of an accident is consequently in-
creased.
! R (Reverse)
This position is for backing the vehicle. To
shift from the “N” to “R” position, stop the
vehicle completely then move the lever to
the “R” position while pressing the select
lever button in.
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving. The
transmission shifts automatically and con-
tinuously into a suitable gear according to
the vehicle speed and the acceleration you
require. Also, while driving up and down a
hill, the transmission assists and controls
the driving performance and engine brak-
When the ignition switch has been turned
to the “ACC” position, the movement of the
select lever from the “N” to “R” position is
only possible by depressing the brake
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Continuously variable transmission
326
position to the “M” position to select the
manual mode.
possible. When both indicators illuminate,
upshifting and downshifting are both pos-
sible. When the vehicle stops (for exam-
ple, at traffic signals), the downshift in-
dicator turns off.
& Selection of manual mode (if
equipped)
Gearshifts can be performed using the
shift paddle behind the steering wheel.
Select lever/gear position indicator
Type A
1
2
3
Upshift indicator
Downshift indicator
Gear position indicator
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator on the
combination meter illuminate.
To upshift to the next higher gear position,
pull the shift paddle that has “+” indicated
on it. To downshift to the next lower gear
position, pull the shift paddle that has “–”
indicated on it.
The gear position indicator shows the
currently selected gear in the 1st-to-8th-
gear range.
To deselect the manual mode, return the
select lever to the “D” position from the “M”
position.
The upshift and downshift indicators show
when a gear shift is possible. When the
upshift indicator “ ” illuminates, upshift-
ing is possible. When the downshift in-
dicator “ ” illuminates, downshifting is
Type B
With the vehicle either moving or station-
ary, move the select lever from the “D”
Continuously variable transmission 327
safe location and let the engine idle
until the warning light turns off.
“L” is for using engine braking when going
down a hill, etc. To select this mode, move
the select lever from the “D” position to the
“L” position.
CAUTION
Do not place or hang anything on the
shift paddles. Doing so may result in
accidental gear shifting.
& Selection of “L” (if equipped)
NOTE
Please read the following points care-
fully 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 tach-
ometer 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 trans-
mission will not respond.
You can perform a skip-shift (for
example, from 4th to 2nd) by operat-
ing the shift paddle twice in rapid
succession.
.
.
When selected, the indicator “L” will
illuminate on the combination meter.
Type A
To deselect “L”, move the select lever to
the “D” position.
& Shift lock function
.
.
The transmission automatically se-
lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops
moving.
If the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid becomes too high, the “AT
OIL TEMP” warning light on the
combination meter will illuminate.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a
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
the “P” position to any other position
Type B
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Continuously variable transmission
328
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 ignition switch from the “ACC”
position to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position
and remove the key from the ignition
switch.
If the ignition switch is turned to the
“ACC” position while the select lever is
in the “N” position, the select lever may
not be moved to the “P” position without
depressing the brake pedal and press-
ing the select lever button.
.
When the select lever cannot be
shifted from “N” to “R”, “P”:
Place the ignition switch in the “ACC”
position, then move the select lever to the
“P” position with the brake pedal de-
pressed.
.
.
If the select lever still does not move, refer
to “Shift lock release using the shift lock
release button” �P328.
If the shift lock cannot be released without
using the shift lock release button in the
above cases, there may be a malfunction
in the shift lock system or the vehicle
control system.
2. Wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver
with vinyl tape or a cloth and use it to
remove the shift lock cover. The shift
lock release button is located under the
shift lock cover.
! Shift lock release
Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspec-
tion as soon as possible.
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 select lever button
pressed and the brake pedal depressed.
! Shift lock release using the shift
lock release button
Perform the following procedure to release
the shift lock.
1. Apply the parking brake and stop the
engine.
If the select lever does not move after
performing the above procedure, check
and confirm the following and release the
shift lock accordingly.
.
When the select lever cannot be
shifted from “P” to “N”:
Refer to “Shift lock release using the shift
lock release button” �P328.
3. While depressing the brake pedal,
SI-DRIVE 329
insert a screwdriver into the hole, press
the shift lock release button using a
screwdriver, and then move the select
lever.
standstill. This phenomenon does not
indicate a malfunction.
7-8. SI-DRIVE
SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive)
works to maximize engine performance,
control and efficiency.
This system consists of two modes:
Intelligent (I), Sport (S), and Sport Sharp
(S#). By operating the SI-DRIVE switches,
the character of the power unit changes.
If the select lever does not move after
performing the above procedure, the shift
lock system may be malfunctioning. Con-
tact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as
soon as possible.
& Driving tips
& Intelligent (I) mode
CAUTION
! For smooth, efficient performance
driving
If the accelerator and brake pedals
are depressed at the same time,
driving torque may be restrained.
This is not a malfunction.
.
.
Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or
“R” position.
Make sure to apply the parking brake
when parking your vehicle. Do not hold
the vehicle with only the mechanical
friction of the transmission.
.
.
Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary
position on an uphill grade by using the
“D” position. Use the brake instead.
The engine may, on rare occasions,
knock when the vehicle rapidly accel-
erates or rapidly pulls away from a
The linear acceleration characteristic of
the Intelligent (I) mode is ideal for normal
driving usage.
The Intelligent (I) mode provides well-
balanced performance with greater fuel
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