2020 Subaru Impreza Owners Manual - Continuously variable transmission

Continuously variable transmission

& Continuously variable trans- mission features

The continuously variable transmission is electronically controlled and provides an infinite number of forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. For some models, it also has a manual mode or an “L” position.

When the engine coolant tempera- ture is still low, the transmission will shift at higher engine speeds than

when the coolant temperature is suffi- ciently high in order to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift timing will automatically shift to the normal timing after the engine has warmed up.

Immediately after transmission fluid is replaced, you may feel that the transmission operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation of data which the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condition of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle continues to be driven for a while.

When driving a CVT model under continuous heavy load conditions such as when climbing a long, steep hill, the engine speed or the vehicle speed may automatically be reduced. This is not a malfunction. This phenomenon results from the engine control function main- taining the cooling performance of the vehicle. The engine and vehicle speed will return to a normal speed when the engine is able to maintain the optimum cooling performance after the heavy load decreases. Driving under a heavy load must be performed with extreme care. Do not try to pass a vehicle in front when driving on an uphill slope

while under heavy load conditions.

The continuously variable transmis- sion is a chain type system that pro- vides superior transmission efficiency for maximum fuel economy. At times, depending on varying driving condi- tions, a chain operating sound may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.

Select lever

! Select lever positions

Select lever button

Models with “L” position

Models with manual mode

: With the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the select lever button in.

: Shift while pressing the select lever button in.

: Shift without pressing the select lever button.

The select lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” and it also has an “L” or “M” gate.

too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard.

! P (Park)

This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. In this position, the transmission is mechanically locked to prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.

When you park the vehicle, first apply the parking brake firmly, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the mechanical friction of the transmission.

To shift the select lever from the “P” position to any other position, you should depress the brake pedal fully then move the select lever. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started.

This position is for backing the vehicle. To shift from the “N” to “R” position, stop the vehicle completely then move the lever to the “R” position while pressing the select lever button in.

When the ignition switch has been turned to the “ACC” position, the movement of the select lever from the “N” to “R” position is only possible by depressing the brake pedal. For details, refer to “Shift lock function”  7-29.

This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position, the transmission is neutral, meaning that the wheels and transmission are not locked. Therefore, the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied.

This position is for normal driving. The transmission shifts automatically and con- tinuously into a suitable gear according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require. Also, while driving up and down a hill, the transmission assists and controls the driving performance and engine brak- ing while corresponding to the road grade.

When more acceleration is required in “D” position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift.

In this case, the transmission will operate like a conventional automatic transmis- sion. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.

For models with manual mode, if one of the shift paddles behind the steering wheel is operated while driving in the “D” position, the transmission will temporarily switch to the manual mode. In this mode, you can shift into any gear position using the shift paddles. For details about the manual mode, refer to “Selection of manual mode”

 7-27. Once the vehicle speed stabilizes, the transmission will switch from the manual mode back to the “D” position for normal driving.

Selection of manual mode (if equipped)

With the vehicle either moving or station- ary, move the select lever from the “D” position to the “M” position to select the manual mode.

Type A

Upshift indicator

Downshift indicator

Gear position indicator

Type B

Upshift indicator

Downshift indicator

Gear position indicator

When the manual mode is selected, the 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 in the 1st-to-7th- gear range. The upshift and downshift indicators show when a gear shift is possible. When the upshift indicator “ ” illuminates, upshifting is possible. When the downshift indicator “ ” illuminates, downshifting is possible. When both in- dicators illuminate, upshifting and down- shifting are both possible. When the vehicle stops (for example, at traffic

signals) the gear will be automatically shifted to the 1st position and the down- shift indicator will turn off.

Gearshifts can be performed using the shift paddle behind the steering wheel.

To upshift to the next higher gear position, pull the shift paddle that has “+” indicated on it. To downshift to the next lower gear position, pull the shift paddle that has “–” indicated on it.

To deselect the manual mode, return the select lever to the “D” position from the “M” position.

If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down- shift is not possible.

If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the transmis- sion will not respond.

You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating the shift paddle twice in rapid succes- sion.

The transmission automatically se- lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops moving.

If the temperature of the transmis- sion fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warning light on the combi- nation meter will illuminate. Immedi- ately stop the vehicle in a safe location and let the engine idle until the warning light turns off.

Selection of “L” (if equipped)

“L” is for using engine braking when going down a hill, etc. To select this mode, move the select lever from the “D” position to the “L” position.

When selected, the indicator “L” will

illuminate on the combination meter.

To deselect “L”, move the select lever to the “D” position.

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 ignition switch from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position and remove the key from the ignition switch.

If the ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” position while the select lever is in the “N” position, the select lever may not be moved to the “P” position without depressing the brake pedal and pressing the select lever button.

If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the “ON” position then move the select lever to the

“P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, perform the following steps.

When the select lever cannot be shifted from “P” to “N”:

Refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button”  7-30.

When the select lever cannot be shifted from “N” to “R”, “P”:

After placing the ignition switch in the “ACC” position, move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

If you must perform the above procedure, the shift lock system (or the vehicle control system) may be malfunctioning. Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button”  7-30.

Perform the following procedure to release the shift lock.

Apply the parking brake and turn the

ignition switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” posi- tion.

Wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with vinyl tape or a cloth and use it to remove the shift lock cover. The shift lock release button is located under the shift lock cover.

Remove the grip portion of the screw- driver.

While depressing the brake pedal, insert a screwdriver into the hole, move it right and left while pushing the shift lock release button using a screwdriver, and

Starting and operating/SI-DRIVE 7-31

then move the select lever.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, the shift lock system may be malfunctioning. Con- tact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

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 mechanical friction of the transmission.

Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on an uphill grade by 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 malfunction.