Get Starting and operating -> Automatic transmission (with SPORTSHIFT mode) Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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

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wheel blocks are used. This may cause the automatic transmis-

sion 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

speeds and 1-reverse speed. Also, it has a SPORTSHIFT mode.

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 which the on-board

computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmis-

sion 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.

J Selector lever

HB7025BAHB7026BB

When the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the button

in.

Shift while pressing the button in.

Shift without pressing the button.

Starting and operating

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The selector lever has seven positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “3”, “2” and

“1”, and also has a manual gate for using “SPORTSHIFT” mode.

The release button must be pushed to select the “P”, “R”, or “2” posi-

tions.

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.

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

to depress the brake pedal fully then push the release button on the

selector lever 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, the release button pushed in, and the ignition

switch in the ON position, refer to the “Shift lock release” section in

chapter 3.

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 while pushing the release but-

ton.

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.

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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, there is no engine braking effect.

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.

To use the SPORTSHIFT mode, move the lever from this position into

the manual gate.

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 brake-

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

Starting and operating

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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

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)

To shift from the “3” to “2” position, push the release button.

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.

J Selection of SPORTSHIFT mode (manual mode)

1. Select the SPORTSHIFT mode by moving the selector lever into the

manual gate from the “D” position with the vehicle stationary or moving.

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HB7027BB

2. Once the SPORTSHIFT mode is selected, the currently selected gear

is shown by the shift position indicator in the meter cluster. Next to this

indication, arrow-shaped lamps show whether an upshift is possible and

whether a downshift is possible.

HBS094BB

Lamps showing whether upshifting and downshifting are possible:

The c and d lamps show whether upshifting and downshifting are pos-

sible. When both lamps are off, SPORTSHIFT operation is not possible.

When both lamps are on, upshifting and downshifting are both possible.

When only the c lamp is on, only upshifting is possible. When only the

d lamp is on, only downshifting is possible.

3. Perform gearshifts using the selector lever. You can shift by one gear

at a time in the 1st-to-4th-gear range.

Starting and operating

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Upshifting

Shift to the next-higher gear (in the 1st-to-4th-gear range) by pushing the

selector lever toward the “+” end of the manual gate.

Downshifting

Shift to the next-lower gear (in the 1st-to-4th-gear range) by pushing the

selector lever toward the “–” end of the manual gate.

4. To deselect the SPORTSHIFT mode, return the selector lever to the

“D” position from the manual gate.

NOTE

Please read the following points carefully and bear them in mind

when using the SPORTSHIFT mode.

D When the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is

lower or higher than normal, warning beeps are emitted and the shift

position indicator shows “–”. If these warnings are issued, deselect

the SPORTSHIFT mode to protect the automatic transmission from

damage.

D Automatic gearshifts do not take place in the Sports Shift mode.

Perform gearshifts in accordance with road conditions so that the

tachometer needle does not enter the red zone. If the engine speed

reaches a predetermined level, a fuel-cut function will operate. Shift

up if this happens.

D 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.

D If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the

transmission will not respond.

D You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd or from

2nd to 4th) by operating the selector lever twice in rapid succession.

D The transmission automatically selects 1st gear when the vehicle

stops moving. It will not permit a standing start in 2nd gear.

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B Maximum speeds

WARNING

When down shifting 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 braking caused by

downshifting 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 down shifting, 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.

mph (km/h)

Vehicle type

Position

2.5GT

1 29 (47)

2 58 (93)

3 96 (154)

Never exceed posted speed limits.

NOTE

D In order to prevent over-revving during acceleration of the

vehicle, the transmission will automatically shift to the next high-

er gear if the Maximum Allowable Speed for the current gear is

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reached.

D Similarly, 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.

D 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.

HB7030BAHB7029BA

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4. Insert the screwdriver into the hole.

5. Push down on the screwdriver, push down the button 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.

Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD)

(if equipped)

CAUTION

D Never start the engine while a tire on one side is jacked up, as

the vehicle may move.

D If one rear tire is spinning in mud, avoid continued spinning at

high speed as this could adversely affect the LSD.

D If a different size rear tire is temporarily used (as in an emer-

gency), it will adversely affect the LSD. Always replace it with a

regular size tire as soon as possible.

The LSD provides optimum distribution of power according to the differ-

ence in revolutions between the right and left rear wheels that may be

caused by certain driving conditions, thereby improving driving stability

on snow-covered, muddy or other slippery roads.

Starting and operating -> Automatic transmission (with SPORTSHIFT mode) for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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