Subaru 2001 Forester Owner's Manual page 214

B Shifting speed
n Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle perfor-
mance during normal driving is ensured by shifting up at the speeds
listed in the following table.
n Maximum allowable speeds
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travel-
ling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speed for the
gear which is about to be selected. Failure to observe this pre-
caution 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
consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of
an accident increased.
The following table shows the maximum speeds that are possible with
each different 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.
7-12
Shift up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd
3rd to 4th
4th to 5th
mph (km/h)
15 (24)
25 (40)
40 (65)
45 (73)