Driving Tips; Sport Mode - Subaru 2012 Forester Owner's Manual

7-20
Starting and operating
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator on the
combination meter illuminate. The gear
position indicator shows the currently
selected gear. The upshift and downshift
indicators show when a gear shift is
possible. When the upshift indicator "
is illuminated, upshifting is possible. When
the downshift indicator " " is illuminated,
downshifting is possible. When both in-
dicators are illuminated, upshifting and
downshifting are both possible. When the
vehicle stops (for example, at traffic
signals), the downshift indicator turns off.
Gear shifts can be performed using the
select lever.
Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly
pushing the select lever toward the "+"
end of the manual gate.
Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly
pulling the select lever toward the "−"
end of the manual gate.
& Driving tips
. On a road surface where there is a risk
"
of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or
gravel-covered road), you can pull away
from a standstill (safely and easily) by first
selecting the 2nd gear of the manual
mode.
. Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the "D" or
"R" position.
. Always apply the parking brake when
parking your vehicle. Do not hold the
vehicle with only the transmission.
. Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary
position on an uphill grade using the "D"
position. Use the brake instead.
. 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
problem.
& SPORT mode
SPORT mode is used when power is
needed for rapid acceleration or for uphill
driving. To select this mode, move the
select lever from the "D" position to the
manual gate.