Subaru Forester: 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.
Maximum allowable speeds
The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with each different gear. Never exceed the speed limit listed in the following table for each gear position except for brief acc ...Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is electronically controlled and provides 4 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. Also, it has a manual mode and a SPORT mode. Do not shift from the “P” or “N ...See also:
Front Seats
The vehicle's front seats have head restraints in the outboard seating positions.
WARNING
With head restraints that are not installed and adjusted properly, there is a
greater chance that occu ...
Mirrors
Outside rearview mirror Be sure to adjust mirror angles before driving. Your
vehicle is equipped with both left-hand and right-hand outside rearview mirrors.
The mirrors can be adjusted remotely w ...
Starting the engine
Do not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10 seconds.
If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for 5 to 10
seconds, wait for 10 seconds or
more before tr ...