Subaru 2002 Legacy Owner's Manual page 286

Starting and operating
taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the
chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerat-
ing again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting result-
ing in a smoother operation of the vehicle.
NOTE
The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on
the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicle
again.
n While going down a hill
When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause
the transmission to downshift to 3rd gear, thus applying engine brak-
ing. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to up-
shift normally.
NOTE
In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade
does not result in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This can
happen when the automatic transmission fluid temperature is
very low, for example, during driving shortly after the vehicle has
been parked for an extended period of time. When the ATF tem-
perature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normal-
ly takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for engine
braking as required.
Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at
speeds above approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
B 3 (Third)
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for
climbing a grade.
The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to
3rd according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler-
ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission
will automatically downshift to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the
pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
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