Subaru Legacy: Automatic transmission/Continuously variable transmission

Subaru Legacy: Automatic transmission/Continuously variable transmission

The automatic transmission is electronically controlled and provides 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. The continuously variable transmission is electronically controlled and provides an infinite number of forward speeds and 1 reverse speed.

Both the automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission have a manual mode.

WARNING

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.

CAUTION

● Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is completely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause damage to the transmission.

● 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.

● Avoid shifting from one of the forward driving positions into the “R” position or vice versa until the vehicle has completely stopped. Such shifting may cause damage to the transmission.

● 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.

NOTE

● For AT models, when the engine coolant temperature is still low, the transmission will upshift to higher engine speeds than when the coolant temperature is sufficiently high in order to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift timing will automatically shift to the normal timing after the engine has warmed up.
● Immediately after transmission fluid is replaced, you may feel that the transmission operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation 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.
● When driving a vehicle that is equipped with CVT under continuous heavy load conditions such as towing a camper or climbing a long, steep hill, the engine speed or the vehicle speed may automatically be reduced. This is not a malfunction. This phenomenon results from the engine control function maintaining the cooling performance of the vehicle. 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 performed with extreme care. Do not try to pass a vehicle in front when driving on an uphill slope while towing.
● The continuously variable transmission is a chain type system that provides superior transmission efficiency for maximum fuel economy. At times, depending on varying driving conditions, a chain operating sound may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.

• Select lever
• Shift lock function
• Selection of manual mode
• Driving tips

Select lever

The select lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” and also has a manual gate for using the manual mode.

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.

When you park the vehicle, first apply the parking brake, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmission.

To shift the select lever from the “P” 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.

NOTE

To protect the engine while the “P” position is selected, the engine is controlled such that the engine speed may not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard.

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.

N (Neutral)

This position is for restarting a stalled engine.

In this position the wheels and transmission are not locked. In this position, the transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied. Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral.

During coasting, there is no engine braking effect.

NOTE

● To protect the engine while the “N” position is selected, the engine is controlled such that the engine speed may not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard.

● If the select lever is in the “N” position when you stop the engine for parking, you may not subsequently be able to move it to the “R” and “P” positions. If this happens, turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. You will then be able to move the select lever to the “P” position.

WARNING

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 increased.

D (Drive)

This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear 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. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position. To use the manual mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate.

NOTE (AT models only)

Automatic downshifts to 4th or 3rd may occur even when driving on a level road depending on conditions, such as how hard you depress the brake pedal.

While climbing a grade

When driving up a hill, undesired upshift 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.

NOTE

The transmission may downshift, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is depressed to accelerate the vehicle again.

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 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 select lever button pressed and 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” F7-21.

● When the select lever cannot be shifted from “N” to “R”, “P”:

Within 60 seconds after placing the ignition switch in the “Acc” position, move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

If you must perform the above procedure, the shift lock system (or the vehicle control system) may be malfunctioning. Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button” F7-21.

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.

2. Remove the shift lock cover using a flat-head screwdriver.

3. While depressing the brake pedal, insert the electronic parking brake release tool into the hole, press the shift lock release button using the tool, and then move the select lever.

NOTE

To prevent damage to the shift lock cover, cover the tip of the flat-head screwdriver with vinyl tape or a cloth before removing the cover.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, the shift lock system may be malfunctioning. Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

Selection of manual mode

With the vehicle either moving or stationary, move the select lever from the “D” position to the “M” position to select the manual mode.

1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator

When the manual mode is selected, the gear position indicator and upshift indicator and/or downshift indicator on the combination meter illuminate. The gear position indicator shows the currently selected gear in the 1st-to-5th-gear range (AT models) or 1st-to-6th gear range (CVT models). The upshift and downshift indicators show when a gearshift is possible. When the upshift indicator “ ” is on, upshifting is possible. When the downshift indicator “ ” is on, downshifting is possible. When both indicators are on, upshifting and downshifting are both possible. When the vehicle stops (for example, at traffic signals), the downshift indicator turns off.

Gearshifts can be performed using the paddle shift switch behind the steering wheel.

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 select lever to the “D” position from the “M” position.

While driving with the select lever in the “D” position, if you change gears by paddle shifting, the gear position indicator light illuminates and shows the current gear condition.

CAUTION

Do not place or hang anything on the paddle shift levers. Doing so may result in accidental gear shifting.

NOTE

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 paddle switch twice in rapid succession.
● The transmission automatically selects 1st gear when the vehicle stops moving.
● If the temperature of the transmission fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warning light will illuminate. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and let the engine idle until the warning light turns off.

Driving tips

● On a road surface where there is a risk of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or gravel-covered road), you can pull away from a standstill safely and easily by first selecting the 2nd gear of the manual mode.
● Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or “R” position.
● Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only 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 accelerates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indicate a malfunction.
● A slight reduction in output torque may occur in the models with a 2.5 L turbo or 3.6 L engine before the engine warms up.

Manual transmissionPower steering