Driving Tips - Subaru 2009 Legacy Owner's Manual

7-16
Starting and operating
Shift up mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd
3rd to 4th
4th to 5th
! Maximum allowable speeds
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.
The following table shows the maximum
speeds that are possible with each differ-
ent gear.
Never exceed the speed limit below for
each gear position except for brief accel-
eration in an emergency. The tach-
15 (24) ometer's needle will enter the red area if
these speeds are exceeded. Failure to
25 (40)
observe this precaution can lead to
35 (56)
excessive engine wear and poor fuel
45 (73) economy.
Non-turbo models
Gear
1st
2nd
3rd
Turbo models
Gear
1st
2nd
3rd
NOTE
Never exceed posted speed limits.
& 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
mph (km/h)
Except
OUTBACK
OUTBACK
30 (48) 30 (48)
50 (81) 52 (82)
71 (116) 71 (116)
mph (km/h)
Except
OUTBACK
OUTBACK
32 (52) 32 (52)
54 (88) 54 (88)
78 (127)
80 (129)
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 acceler-
ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill.
This phenomenon does not indicate a
malfunction.
. A slight reduction in output torque may
occur in the models with a 2.5 L turbo
engine before the engine warms up.