Subaru Forester: Driving tips - Manual transmission - Starting and operating - Subaru Forester Owner's ManualSubaru Forester: Driving tips

Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill on an upgrade. Either of those actions may cause clutch damage.

Do not drive with your hand resting on the shift lever. This may cause wear on the transmission components.

When it is necessary to reduce vehicle speed due to slow traffic, turning corners, or driving up steep hills, downshift to a lower gear before the engine starts to labor.

On steep downgrades, downshift the transmission to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life.

In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Remember, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while descending a hill, they may overheat and not work properly.

The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon is not an indication of a problem in your vehicle.

    Maximum allowable speeds
    The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with each different gear. Never exceed the speed limit listed in the following table for each gear position except for brief acc ...

    Automatic transmission
    The automatic transmission is electronically controlled and provides 4 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. Also, it has a manual mode and a SPORT mode. Do not shift from the “P” or “N ...

    See also:

    Checking brake pedal clearance
    You need a helper to check the brake pedal clearance. With the engine running, have your helper press down on the brake pedal several times and then hold it down with a force of about 110 lb ...

    Headlight switch
    The headlights can be operated manually or automatically. Type A 1 Vehicles with daytime running light system: The daytime running lights turn on. 2 The side marker, parking, tail, license ...

    If the wireless remote control does not operate
    Vehicles without smart key system Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the key Vehicles with smart key system Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ...