Manual Transmission - 6 Speeds - Subaru Forester 2012 Owner's Manual

7-14
Starting and operating
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 does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Manual transmission – 6
speeds
The manual transmission is a fully syn-
chromeshed, 6-forward-speed and 1-re-
verse-speed transmission.
The shift pattern is shown on the shift
lever knob.
S07AW
1) Slider
You must raise the slider and hold it in that
position to move the shift lever to the "R"
position.
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 pedal 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