2005 SUBARU OUTBACK lock

7-19
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
risen to a certain level, automatic downshift nor-
mally takes place. In the meantime, downshift
manually for engine braking as required.
Also, a 4th-to-3rd automatic downshift will not oc-
cur at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) and a 3rd-
to-2nd automatic downshift will not occur at
speeds above 24 mph (38 km/h). !Selector lever reverse inhibiting func- tion
This function prevents accidental movement of the se-
lector lever to the “R” position while the vehicle is mov-
ing.
The function becomes operational when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
Once operational, it prevents the selector lever from
being moved from the “N” position to the “R” position.
When the vehicle speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h),
the function is canceled. The selector lever can then
be moved to the “R” and “P” positions.
When the ignition switch has been turned to the “OFF”
position, movement of the selector lever from the “N”
position to the “R” position is possible for a limited time
period and then becomes impossible. Also, the selec-
tor lever cannot be moved to the “R” position when it
has been placed in the “P” position and then placed again in the “N” position. When movement of the se-
lector lever from the “N” position to the “R” position has
become impossible, turn the ignition switch back to the
“ON” position then move the selector lever to the “P”
position. Pressing the selector lever release button
also makes it possible to move the selector lever to the
“P” position at this time. !
Selector lever release button
If you inadvertently have turned the ignition switch to
the “OFF” position with the selector lever in the “N” po-
sition, proceed as follows. By referring to the “Shift
lock release” section in this chapter, remove the shift
lock release cover. Then, with the screwdriver inserted
UB7207BA

7-22
Starting and operating
not travelling at a speed exceeding the Maxi-
mum Allowable Speed for the gear which is
about to be selected. Failure to observe this
precaution can lead to engine over-revving and
this in turn can result in engine damage.
In addition, sudden application of engine brak-
ing caused by down shifting 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.
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 se-
lected. mph (km/h)
Never exceed posted speed limits.
NOTE (The following notes do not apply
to when the manual mode is selected.) " In order to prevent over-revving during acceler-
ation of the vehicle, the transmission will automat-
ically shift to the next highest gear if the Maximum
Allowable Speed for the current gear is exceeded. " Similarly, in order to prevent over-revving dur-
ing 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. Position 2.5-liter non-turbo models
Except OUTBACK OUTBACK
1 35 (57) 34 (56)
2 64 (103) 62 (101)
3 98 (159) 96 (156)

7-24
Starting and operating
When selected, the SPORT mode indicator light on
the instrument panel will turn on.
To deselect SPORT mode, move the selector lever to
the “D” position or select manual mode.
To subsequently reselect SPORT mode, move the se-
lector lever to the “D” position and from there to the
manual gate.
In this mode, the transmission shifts up at higher vehi-
cle speeds and shifts down more responsively than in
normal mode.
!
Shift lock release
If the selector lever does not move from the “P” posi-
tion with the brake pedal depressed and the ignition
switch in the “ON” position, perform the followingsteps:
To override the shift lock:
1. Set the parking brake and stop the engine.
2. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bucket.
3. Remove the cover by prying on the edge with a flat-
head screwdriver.
UB7507CA
UB7200BA

7-25
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
4. Insert the screwdriver into the hole.
5. Push down on the screwdriver and move the selec-
tor 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 im-
mediately to have the system repaired.
Automatic transmission – 5 speed
The automatic transmission is electronically controlled
and provides 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed.
Also, it has a manual mode and a SPORT mode.
Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into
the “D” or “R” position while depressing the ac-
celerator pedal. This may cause the vehicle to
jump forward or backward.
"Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after
the vehicle is completely stopped. Shifting
while the vehicle is moving may cause damage
to the transmission. " Do not race the engine for more than five sec-
onds in any position except the “N” or “P” po-
sition when the brake is set or when wheels are
used blocks. This may cause the automatic
transmission fluid to overheat." Avoid shifting from one of the forward driving
positions into the “R” position or vice versa un-
UB7201BA

7-26
Starting and operating
til the vehicle has completely stopped. Such
shifting may cause damage to the transmis-
sion.
NOTE
Immediately after ATF (automatic transmission
fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the automatic
transmission operation is somewhat unusual.
This results from invalidation of data which the
on-board computer has collected and stored inmemory 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 continues to be driven for a while.
!
Selector lever
: Shift possible with brake pedal depressed
: Shift possible with brake pedal not depressed
The selector lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”
and also has manual gate for using “SPORT” mode or manual mode. ! 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
UB7522BA

7-27
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
fully, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the ve-
hicle with only the transmission.
To shift the selector lever from the “P” to any other po-
sition, you should depress the brake pedal fully then
move the selector lever. This prevents the vehicle
from lurching when it is started.
NOTE (3.0-liter models only)
To protect the engine while the “P” position is se-
lected, the engine is controlled such that the en-
gine speed does not become too high even if the
accelerator pedal is pressed hard. !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. ! N (Neutral)
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 un-
less the parking brake or foot brake is on.
Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral.
During coasting, there is no engine braking effect.
NOTE (3.0-liter models only)
To protect the engine while the “N” position is se-
lected, the engine is controlled such that the en-
gine speed does not become too high even if the
accelerator pedal is pressed hard.
NOTE
If the selector lever is in the “N” position when you
stop the engine for parking, you may not subse-
quently be able to move it to the “R” and “P” posi-tions. If this happens, turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position. You will then be able to move
the selector lever to the “P” position.
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.
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable
gear from 1st to 5th according to the vehicle speed
and the acceleration you require.

7-29
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
Once operational, it prevents the selector lever from
being moved from the “N” position to the “R” position.
When the vehicle speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h),
the function is canceled. The selector lever can then
be moved to the “R” and “P” positions.
When the ignition switch has been turned to the “OFF”
position, movement of the selector lever from the “N”
position to the “R” position is possible for a limited time
period and then becomes impossible. Also, the selec-
tor lever cannot be moved to the “R” position when it
has been placed in the “P” position and then placed
again in the “N” position. When movement of the se-
lector lever from the “N” position to the “R” position has
become impossible, turn the ignition switch back to the
“ON” position then move the selector lever to the “P” position. Pressing the selector lever release button
also makes it possible to move the selector lever to the
“P” position at this time. !
Selector lever release button
If you inadvertently have turned the ignition switch to
the “OFF” position with the selector lever in the “N” po-
sition, proceed as follows. By referring to the “Shift
lock release” section in this chapter, remove the shift
lock release cover. Then, with the screwdriver inserted
into the hole, move the selector lever to the “P” posi-
tion. If the selector lever reverse inhibiting function
fails, have the vehicle inspected by the nearest SUB-
ARU dealer.
UB7207BA

7-33
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
ing caused by down shifting 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.
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 se-
lected. mph (km/h)
Never exceed posted speed limits.
NOTE " In order to prevent over-revving during acceler-
ation of the vehicle, the transmission will automat-
ically shift to the next highest gear if the Maximum
Allowable Speed for the current gear is exceeded. " Similarly, in order to prevent over-revving dur-
ing 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. ! Driving tips
" On a road surface where there is a risk of wheelspin
(for example, a snow- or gravel-covered road), you
can pull away from a standstill safely and easily by first
selecting the 2nd gear of the manual mode. " Always apply the foot or parking brake when the ve-
hicle is stopped in the “D” or “R” position. " Always set the parking brake when parking your ve-
hicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmis- sion. " Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on
an uphill grade by using the “D” position. Use the
brake instead. " The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the
vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away from
Position 2.5-liter turbo models 3.0-liter
models
Except
OUTBACK OUTBACK
1 36 (59) 35 (57) 42 (68)
2 59 (92) 55 (90) 66 (107)
3 88 (142) 86 (139) 102 (165)