Subaru Legacy BN/BS (2015-2019) Owners Manual: Select lever

1) Select lever button

: With the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the select lever button in
: Shift while pressing the select lever button in
: Shift without pressing the select lever button

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

NOTE For some models, to protect the engine while the select lever is in the "P" or "N" position, the engine is controlled so that the engine speed may not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard.

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 mechanical friction of 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.

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 while pressing the select lever button in.

When the ignition switch has been turned to the "LOCK"/"OFF" position, movement of the select lever from the "N" to "R" position is possible for a limited time period by depressing the brake pedal, and then it becomes impossible. For details, refer to "Shift lock function" .

N (Neutral)

This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position, the transmission is neutral, meaning that the wheels and transmission are not locked. Therefore, the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied.

Avoid coasting with the transmission in neutral. Engine braking has no effect in this condition.

NOTE 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.

D (Drive)

This position is for normal driving. The transmission shifts automatically and continuously into a suitable gear according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require. Also, while driving up and down a hill, the transmission assists and controls the driving performance and engine braking while corresponding to the road grade.

When more acceleration is required in "D" position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift.

In this case, the transmission will operate like a conventional automatic transmission.

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.

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.