
with the select lever in the“N”position, the
indicator does not turn green.
5. While depressing the brake pedal,
press the push-button ignition switch.
NOTE
.While pressing the select lever but-
ton in, the indicator on the push-button
ignition switch will not turn green even
when the select lever is in the“P”
position.
.In case the engine does not start by
the normal engine start procedure,
move the select lever to the“P”posi-
tion, and switch the power to“ACC”.
Depress the brake pedal, and press the
push-button ignition switch for at least
15 seconds. The engine may start. Only
use this engine start procedure in case
of emergency.
.When the engine is not started, the
brake pedal may feel stiff. In such a
case, depress the brake pedal more
forcefully than usual. Check that the
operation indicator on the push-button
ignition switch turns green, and press
the push-button ignition switch to start
the engine.
&Stopping engine
1. Stop the vehicle completely.
2. Move the select lever to the“P”
position.
3. Press the push-button ignition switch.
The engine will stop, and the power will be
switched off.
WARNING
.Do not touch the push-button
ignition switch during driving.
When the push-button ignition
switch is operated as follows,
the engine will stop.
–The switch is pressed and held
for 3 seconds or longer.
–The switch is pressed briefly 3
times or more in succession.
When the engine stops, the brake
booster will not function. A great-
er foot pressure will be required
on the brake pedal.
The power steering system will
not operate either. A greater
force will be required to steer,
and it may result in an accident.
.If the engine stops during driving,
do not operate the push-button
ignition switch or open any of thedoors until the vehicle is stopped
in a safe location. It is dangerous
because the steering lock may be
activated. Stop the vehicle in a
safe place, and contact a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
CAUTION
.Do not stop the engine while the
select lever is in a position other
than the“P”position.
.If the engine is stopped while the
select lever is in a position other
than the“P”position, the power
will be in“ACC”. If the vehicle is
left in this condition, the battery
may be discharged.
NOTE
Although you can stop the engine by
operating the push-button ignition
switch, do not stop the engine during
driving except in an emergency.
&When access key does not
operate properly
Refer to“Access key–if access key does
not operate properly”F9-17.
Starting and operating/Starting and stopping engine (models with push–button start system)7-13

Starting and operating/Remote engine start system (dealer option)
Remote engine start system
(dealer option)
WARNING
.There are some general precau-
tions when starting the engine.
Carefully read the precautions
described in“General precau-
tions when starting/stopping en-
gine”F7-9.
.Do not remote start a vehicle in
an enclosed environment (e.g.
closed garage). Prolonged opera-
tion of a motor vehicle in an
enclosed environment can cause
a harmful build-up of Carbon
Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide is
harmful to your health. Exposure
to high levels of Carbon Monox-
ide can cause headaches, dizzi-
ness or in extreme cases uncon-
sciousness and/or death.
.Before performing any servicing
of the vehicle, temporarily place
the remote engine start system in
service mode to prevent the
system from unexpectedly start-
ing the engine.
The remote engine start system allowsyou to start the engine from outside the
vehicle. In addition, the remote engine
start system can activate the heater or air
conditioner, providing you with a comfor-
table cabin upon entry.NOTE
The length of time for which it is
acceptable to allow the engine to
remain idling may be bound by local
laws and regulations. Check the local
rules when using the remote engine
start system.
&Models with“keyless access
with push-button start sys-
tem”
NOTE
For more details, refer to the Owner’s
Manual supplement for the remote
engine start system.
Access key
1) Lock button
An access key can be used as the remote
engine start transmitter. Operate the lock
button to start or stop the engine as
follows.
!Before starting the engine
Before using the remote engine start
system to start the engine, confirm the
following conditions.
7-14

.The select lever is in the“P”position.
.All doors including the rear gate are
closed.
.The engine hood is closed.
.The push-button ignition switch is in the
“OFF”position.
!When starting the engine
To start the engine with remote engine
start system, briefly press the lock button
twice within 2 seconds, then press and
hold the lock button for 3 seconds.
1. Press the lock button briefly. The
hazard warning flashers then flash once
and the keyless buzzer chirps once.
2. Within 2 seconds, press the lock
button briefly again. The hazard warning
flashers then flash once again, and the
keyless buzzer chirps once again.
3. After step 2, immediately press and
hold the lock button. The hazard warning
flashers then flash three times, and the
horn will honk once.
4. Approximately 3 seconds after step 3,
release the lock button. The engine will
then start successfully.
!When stopping the engine
Press and hold the lock button to stop the
engine with remote engine start system.!Automatic engine shutdown
Theremoteenginestartsystemwill
automatically shut down or will not start
the engine under the following conditions.
.The total run-time has exceeded 20
minutes.
.Any door or the rear gate is opened.
.The select lever is moved to any
position other than“P”.
.The engine hood is opened.
.Thepush-buttonignitionswitchis
pressed.
.The brake pedal is depressed.
.The engine speed is 3,000 rpm or
more.
The time until the engine automatically
stops differs according to the setting.
To change the time until the engine
automatically stops, contact your
SUBARU dealer. However, local laws
and regulations may prohibit changing
this time.&Models without“keyless ac-
cess with push-button start
system”
Remote engine starter transceiver (fob)
1) Fob button
!Starting the engine
NOTE
All vehicle doors (including rear gate)
and the engine hood must be closed
prior to activating the remote engine
start system. Any open entry point will
prevent starting or cause the engine to
stop.
The remote engine start system is acti-
vated by pressing the fob button on your
remote engine starter transceiver (fob)
twice within 3 seconds. If the fob is within
Starting and operating/Remote engine start system (dealer option)
–CONTINUED–7-15

Starting and operating/Manual transmission
Manual transmission
The manual transmission is a fully syn-
chromeshed, 5-forward-speed and 1-re-
verse-speed transmission.
The shift pattern is shown on the shift
lever knob. When shifting from 5th gear to
reverse gear, first return the shift lever to
the neutral position then shift into reverse
gear.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, move the shift lever, and gradually
let up on the clutch pedal.
If it is difficult to shift into gear, put the
transmission in neutral, release the clutch
pedal momentarily, and then try again.
WARNING
.Do not drive the vehicle with the
clutch disengaged (i.e., when the
clutch pedal is depressed) or
with the shift lever in the neutral
position. Engine braking has no
effect in either of these condi-
tions and the risk of an accident
is consequently increased.
.Do not engage the clutch (i.e.,
release the clutch pedal) sud-
denly when starting the vehicle.
By doing so the vehicle might
unexpectedly accelerate or the
transmission could malfunction.
CAUTION
Shift into reverse ONLY when the
vehicle has completely stopped. It
may cause damage to the transmis-
sion to try shifting into reverse when
the vehicle is moving.
&Shifting speeds
!Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel econ-
omy and vehicle performance during
normal driving is ensured by shifting up
at the speeds listed in the following table.
Shift up mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th45 (72)
!Maximum allowable speeds
The following table shows the maximum
speeds that are possible with each differ-
ent gear. The tachometer’s needle will
enter the red area if these speeds are
exceeded.
With the exception of cases where sudden
acceleration is required, the vehicle
should not be driven with the tachometer’s
needle inside the red area. Failure to
observe this precaution can lead to
excessive engine wear and poor fuel
economy.
7-22

mph (km/h)
Gear Crosstrek models
1st 28 (46)
2nd 53 (86)
3rd 78 (126)
4th
Legal speed limit
(Posted limit speed)
5th
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure
that the vehicle is not travelling at a
speed exceeding the Maximum Al-
lowable 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 brakes when the vehicle is
travelling on a slippery surface can
lead to wheel locking; as a conse-
quence, control of the vehicle may
be lost and the risk of an accident
increased.
NOTE
Never exceed the posted speed limit.
&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.
Continuously variable trans-
mission
WARNING
Do not shift from the“P”or“N”
position into the“D”or“R”position
while depressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause the vehicle
to jump forward or backward.
CAUTION
.Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to observe these
precautions could cause damage
to the transmission.
–Shift into the“P”or“R”posi-
tion only after the vehicle has
completely stopped.
–Do not shift from the“D”
position into the“R”position
or vice versa until the vehicle
has completely stopped.
.Do not race the engine for more
than 5 seconds in any position
except the“N”or“P”position
when the brake is applied or
when chocks are used in the
wheels. This may cause the
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
–CONTINUED–7-23

: 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 it also has an“M”gate.
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, thetransmission is mechanically locked to
prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.
When you park the vehicle, first apply the
parking brake firmly, then shift into the“P”
position. Do not hold the vehicle with only
the mechanical friction of the transmis-
sion.
To shift the select lever from the“P”
position 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”F7-28.
!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.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
select lever in the“N”(neutral)
position. Engine braking has no
effect in this condition and the risk
of an accident is consequently in-
creased.
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 con-
tinuously into a suitable gear according to
the vehicle speed and the acceleration
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
–CONTINUED–7-25

Type B
1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator on the
combination meter illuminate.
The gear position indicator shows the
currently selected gear in the 1st-to-6th-
gear range. The upshift and downshift
indicators show when a gear shift is
possible. When the upshift indicator“
”
illuminates, upshifting is possible. When
the downshift indicator“
”illuminates,
downshifting is possible. When both in-
dicators illuminate, upshifting and down-
shifting are both possible. When the
vehicle stops (for example, at trafficsignals), the downshift indicator turns off.
Gearshifts can be performed using the
shift paddle behind the steering wheel.
To upshift to the next higher gear position,
pull the shift paddle that has“+”indicated
on it. To downshift to the next lower gear
position, pull the shift paddle that has“–”
indicated on it.
To deselect the manual mode, return the
select lever to the“D”position from the“M”
position.
CAUTION
Do not place or hang anything on
the shift paddles. Doing so may
result in accidental gear shifting.
NOTE
Please read the following points care-
fully and bear them in mind when using
the manual mode.
.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 down-
shift is not possible.
.If you attempt to shift up when the
vehicle speed is too low, the transmis-
sion will not respond.
.You can perform a skip-shift (for
example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating
the shift paddle twice in rapid succes-
sion.
.The transmission automatically se-
lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops
moving.
.If the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid becomes too high, the“AT
OIL TEMP”warning light on the combi-
nation meter will illuminate. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a safe location
and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off.
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
–CONTINUED–7-27

3. While depressing the brake pedal,
insert a screwdriver into the hole, press
the shift lock release button using a
screwdriver, and then move the select
lever.
If the select lever does not move after
performing the above procedure, the shift
lock system may be malfunctioning. Con-
tact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection
as soon as possible.
&Driving tips
.Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the“D”or
“R”position.
.Make sure to apply the parking brake
when parking your vehicle. Do not hold
the vehicle with only the mechanical
friction of the transmission.
.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 acceler-
ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill.
This phenomenon does not indicate a
malfunction.
Power steering
&Power steering warning light
Type A
Type B Starting and operating/Power steering
–CONTINUED–
7-29