Get Starting and operating -> Automatic transmission (Brighton, L, Outback) Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

Starting and operating

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When it is necessary to reduce vehicle speed due to slow traffic, turn-

ing 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 over-

heat 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

does not indicate a fault.

Automatic transmission (Brighton, L, Outback)

WARNING

Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into the “D”, “3”, “2”,

“1” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This

may cause the vehicle to jump forward or backward.

CAUTION

D Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is com-

pletely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause

damage to the transmission.

D Do not race the engine for more than five seconds in any posi-

tion except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is set or the

tires are on blocks. This may cause the automatic transmission

fluid to overheat.

D 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.

The automatic transmission is electronically controlled with 4-forward

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speeds and 1-reverse speed.

NOTE

Immediately after a disconnected battery is reconnected or ATF (au-

tomatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the auto-

matic transmission operation is somewhat unusual.

This results from erasure or invalidation of data the on-board com-

puter 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 con-

tinues to be driven for a while.

J Selector lever

HB7021BBHB7010AA

The selector lever has seven positions.

B 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 set the parking brake fully, then shift

into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmis-

sion.

A shift interlock function is employed in the automatic transmission

system to ensure safe starting of the vehicle.

Starting and operating

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To shift the selector lever from the “P” to the any other position, you

have to depress the brake pedal fully when the ignition switch is in the

“ON” position. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is

started.

If the shift lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake

pedal depressed, refer to the “Shift lock release” section in this chap-

ter.

B R (Reverse)

This position is for backing the vehicle.

To shift from the “N” to “R” position, first stop the vehicle completely

then move the lever to the “R” position.

B N (Neutral)

WARNING

Do not drive the vehicle with the selector lever in the “N” (neutral)

position. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the

risk of an accident is consequently increased.

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 on.

Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral.

During coasting, the engine braking does not act.

B 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, press the acceler-

ator 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.

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n 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 accelerat-

ing again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting result-

ing in a smoother operation of the vehicle.

NOTE

The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on

the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicle

again.

n While going down a hill

When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause

the transmission to downshift to 3rd gear, thus applying engine brak-

ing. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to up-

shift normally.

NOTE

In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade

does not result in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This can

happen when the automatic transmission fluid temperature is

very low, for example, during driving shortly after the vehicle has

been parked for an extended period of time. When the ATF tem-

perature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normal-

ly takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for engine

braking as required.

Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at

speeds above approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).

B 3 (Third)

This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for

climbing a grade.

The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to

3rd according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.

When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler-

ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission

Starting and operating

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will automatically downshift to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the

pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.

B 2 (Second)

This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for

climbing a steep grade.

In this position, the transmission holds in the 2nd gear.

Use this position when starting off from a standstill on slippery road

surfaces such as mud or snow. It will ensure greater traction.

B 1 (First)

This position is for driving up or down very steep grades, or driving

through mud or sand, or on slippery surfaces. In this position, the

transmission holds in the 1st gear.

B Maximum speeds

WARNING

When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travel-

ling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speed for the

gear which is about to be selected. Failure to observe this pre-

caution can lead to engine over-revving and this in turn can

result in engine damage.

In addition, sudden application of engine brakes when the vehicle

is travelling on a slippery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a

consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of

an accident increased.

The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with

each different gear. The tachometer’s (if so equipped) needle will

enter the red area if these speeds are exceeded.

When shifting down a gear, it is important to confirm that the current

vehicle speed is not in excess of the Maximum Allowable Speed of

the gear which is about to be selected.

Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speeds will result in over-revving

of the engine. In addition a powerful engine brake will engage and

control of the vehicle may be lost.

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mph (km/h)

Vehicle

type

Brighton L

OUTBACK

Position

ype

Brighton

2.5 liter 3.0 liter

1 35 (56) 31 (50) 35 (57)

2 64 (103) 62 (100) 69 (111)

3 100 (161) 102 (164) 111 (178)

NOTE

In order to prevent over-revving during deceleration of the

vehicle, the transmission will remain in the current gear if the

speed of the vehicle is in excess of the Maximum Allowable

Speed for the gear to which the selector lever has been moved.

B Driving tips

D Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is

stopped in the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position.

D Always set the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not

hold the vehicle with only the transmission.

D Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on an uphill grade

by using the “D”, “3”, “2”, or “1” 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 fault.

J Shift lock release

If the selector lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake

pedal depressed and the ignition switch in the “ON” position, perform

the following steps:

To override the shift lock:

1. Set the parking brake and stop the engine.

2. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag.

3. Remove the cover by prying on the edge with the regular screwdriver.

Starting and operating

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HB7020BAHB7010CA

4. Insert the screwdriver into the hole.

5. Push down on the screwdriver and move the selector lever from the

“P” to the “N” position.

6. Remove the screwdriver from the hole. Depress the brake pedal and

start the engine.

Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer immediately to have the

system repaired.

Automatic transmission (with SPORTSHIFT mode

– 2.5GT, 2.5GTLO)

WARNING

Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into the “D”, “3”, “2”,

“1” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This

may cause the vehicle to jump forward or backward.

CAUTION

D Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is com-

pletely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause

damage to the transmission.

D Do not race the engine for more than five seconds in any posi-

tion except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is set or when

Starting and operating -> Automatic transmission (Brighton, L, Outback) for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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