[Steve]

I have an 06 2.5x automatic and I especially like the fact there is a 3rd gear I can easily downshift into to slow the vehicle when stopping. Are there any concerns that manually downshifting into 3rd can cause undue stress on the transmission?

Thanks,

 

[Peaty]

Brake pads are cheaper than tranny parts

 

[MountainBiker]

Brake pads are cheaper than tranny parts

Exactly!!

But it is nice that Subaru allows us to select all 4 gears individually. Many cars just provide a "Low" and "Drive". But I would recomend to to leave in in 4th and use the brakes for stopping and slowing down on flat road driving.

However, feel free to use lower gears on long down hills to keep your brake pads from overheating. Since transmissions are cheaper than cars and lives!

 

[Quicksilver]

Peaty's right about brakes being cheaper than transmissions, insofar as you are downshifting into third...in town, I seldom have it in fourth. If you're not getting above 50 mph in town, third is in a better part of torque/hp curve for performance, gas mileage, and deceleration...
-Quick

 

[sahunt]

Peaty's right about brakes being cheaper than transmissions, insofar as you are downshifting into third...in town, I seldom have it in fourth. If you're not getting above 50 mph in town, third is in a better part of torque/hp curve for performance, gas mileage, and deceleration...
-Quick

I've come to that conclusion too. AT engages 4th gear at too low a speed round town. I plan to run the next couple of tanks using 3 round town, and then a couple of tanks running D round town - see if there is a measurable fuel economy difference. (So hard to eliminate other variables though).

-- Steve

 

[the_colombian]

I used to have an auto and better fuel economy could be had by driving in 3rd around town under 40mph.
I never shift into 5th around town. It seems kinda dangerous if you have to swerve all of a sudden.

 

[pleiad7]

Peaty's right about brakes being cheaper than transmissions, insofar as you are downshifting into third...in town, I seldom have it in fourth. If you're not getting above 50 mph in town, third is in a better part of torque/hp curve for performance, gas mileage, and deceleration...
-Quick

Ditto... for around-town driving I almost always shift into third to avoid lugging the engine and for better acceleration and deceleration.

 

[XT4ME]

Ditto... for around-town driving I almost always shift into third to avoid lugging the engine and for better acceleration and deceleration.

Same Here...

 

[alexmolin]

In winter, if there is a snow, I believe it a better idea to use downshift instead of brakes.

 

[The Black Box]

Downshifting is used to select the proper gear for acceleration. The brakes are what stop you.

 

[Peaty]

Downshifting is used to select the proper gear for acceleration. The brakes are what stop you.

I agree but alexmolin is right when it comes to the snow. I find that downshifting in snowy conditions and matching the revs while easing the clutch out work better than trying to use the brakes. The ABS kicks in too soon for me.

 

[sheepish]

New Zealand being so hilly the thought of coasting down hills around town in a high gear sort of appeals, although I do use 3rd for engine breaking quite often.

 

[The Black Box]

I agree but alexmolin is right when it comes to the snow. I find that downshifting in snowy conditions and matching the revs while easing the clutch out work better than trying to use the brakes. The ABS kicks in too soon for me.

Ah yes. In the snow. Different beast from the tarmac.

Otherwise, I agree with your first reply- brakes are a lot cheaper than a tranny rebuild!

 

[Aleksey]

While we're at the switching gears on auto trannies question I'd like to ask something: when my car was resting on jackstands and I was driving my wife's car, which is automatic, I became curious if there is any protection in the gearbox from switching into R while driving forward. Of course I didn't try it but would like to know the answer.

 

[sheepish]

Mine needs the button pushed to move up past neutral.

 

[The Black Box]

I would save the "R" for race position for another time! Usually need to push in a button on the shifter to go past neutral I think. Let me try it out on my Tribeca loaner. Just kidding if you're snooping guys.

 

[alexmolin]

I've not tried it too, but I think twisting groove along gear lever path is the first-place protection of this to happen.
Another thing, I believe there is sort of controller that operates the gear box and it should take care of it. It does it for down shifting, for example if speed is to high it doesn't let it to shift down before you slow down enough.

 

[sheepish]

I would save the "R" for race position for another time!

A friend of mine used to have a Holden Torana that his father had taught his mother to drive in before he was born. She did 1, 2, 3, R-for-Race and shredded the gear box all over the road. They still got married. :wiggle:

 

[alexmolin]

I've checked the manual ('03 2.5X). It says shifting to R or P while going forward or to D while driving backward should be avoided. It may(!) damage the transmission. It's not like it will certainly damage it. OK, if you put it in P, I believe, it will, though.
Also it says the gear box is electronically controlled and it will protect the engine from over revving when downshifting (as I mentioned before).
Another new thing I didn't know about is small plastic cap in front-right corner of gear level's panel. It's to unlock it if it happens you parked at up/down hill and cannot pull the lever from P position. Then, open the cap, and use flat screwdriver to unlock it.