Subaru WRX & WRX STI Manuals 2011 Impreza WRX & WRX STI Owner's Manual | Page 286

7-24

Starting and operating

the parking brake or foot brake is applied.
Avoid coasting with the transmission in
neutral.
During coasting, there is no engine braking effect.

WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
select lever in the “N” (neutral)
position. Engine braking has no
effect in this condition and the risk
of an accident is consequently increased.

NOTE
If the select lever is in the “N” position
when you stop the engine for parking,
you may not subsequently be able to
move it to the “R” or “P” position. If
this happens, turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position. You will then be able
to move the select lever to the “P”
position. For details, refer to “Shift lock
function” F7-24.
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically shifts into
a suitable gear from 1st to 4th according to
the vehicle speed and the acceleration
you require.

When more acceleration is required in this
position, depress the accelerator pedal
fully to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift
to 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you release
the pedal, the transmission will return to
the original gear position.
To use the “SPORT” mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate. To
use the manual mode, move the lever
from this position into the manual gate
then move it toward the “+” and “−” ends.
! While climbing a grade
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to
4th gear is prevented from taking place
when the accelerator is released. This
minimizes the chance of subsequent
downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeated
upshifting and downshifting resulting 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 depressed to accelerate the vehicle again.
! While going down a hill
When you are descending a hill or any
other slope while braking with the
“SPORT” mode selected, the transmission

may downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear depending on how hard you depress the brake
pedal, causing engine braking to work.
Reacceleration for a short time will cause
the transmission to upshift normally.

NOTE
. A 4th-to-3rd automatic downshift
will not occur at speeds above 50
mph (80 km/h) and a 3rd-to-2nd automatic downshift will not occur at
speeds above 24 mph (38 km/h).
. Automatic downshifts to 3rd or 2nd
may occur even when driving on a level
road depending on conditions, such as
how hard you depress the brake pedal.

& Shift lock function
The shift lock function helps prevent the
improper operation of the select lever.
. The select lever cannot be operated
unless the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and the brake pedal is
depressed.
. The select lever cannot be moved from
the “P” position to any other position
before the brake pedal is depressed.
Depress the brake pedal first, and then
operate the select lever.
. Only the “P” position allows you to turn
the key from the “Acc” position to the