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:

    Removing/installing the headlamp cover
    You must remove the headlamp cover in the engine compartment before you can replace the bulbs in the headlamp. To remove: press retaining clip 1 in the direction of the arrow. Pull cover 2 f ...

    Washer
    To wash the rear window while the rear wiper is operating, turn the knob clockwise to the “” position. The washer fluid sprays until you release the knob. To wash the rear window when the r ...

    Drive belts
    1. Alternator 2. Water pump 3. Drive belt auto-tensioner 4. Crankshaft pulley 5. Air conditioner compressor Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK position before servicing ...