legacycentral bbs

'90 Legacy LS AWD wagon, non-turbo, AT.

Question: What exactly does the "manual" button on the shifter do? I can't tell much, if any, difference with or without it engaged.

GaryB> Tahiti350

It explains this in the owner's manual (just for future reference )

Basically, the manual button makes the car hold in gear. For example, if you put the car in 1st (1) and press the manual button, the car will hold first. I believe it works the same for 2nd. For 3rd, I believe it will start in second and go to third..but someone can correct me on this.

I wouldn't use the manual button unless you really need traction somewhere.

It actually doesn't say it in MY owner's manual... the one that came with my car is just a general advertisement for Subaru cars basically, but it is specifically titled "1991 Subaru Legacy Owner's Manual".

It doesn't make sense to me that it would just lock the car into gear... if you put the shifter in 1st it won't shift past 1st anyway.

It must say it...or you don't have a manual. I have a 91 and it says it, and here's a scan from a 90 and here's the page.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... ns/070.jpg

Yeah, that's a lot more information than the thing I have gives.

In stop and go traffic I put the built 4eat in second with the manual on.

It prevents the otherwise frequent "clunks" on the first to second shifts.

So the feature is useful in other than slippery conditions.

That's what I thought, just wanted to make sure. Definatgely not needed in "normal" driving, mine won't shift under hard acceleration until it hits the rev limiter, (pop, pop, shift), but it does seem to help hold the engine under deceleration, allows keeping the RPM's up to maximize engine braking. (and Yes, I'm use to diesel trucks and stick shifts...).

Thanks for the info, and I have 2 owners manuals, one for Subaaru's, and one specifical;y for Legacy's. Unfortunately the previos owner put them inthe seat back map pocket with a chocolate bar. Made a hella mess.

GaryB> Tahiti350
Boat and truck guy in an economy world

Tranny shifts into 3rd under braking to help the car stop

Gotta love 4EAT's

Noticed that, too. Kind of cool that Subaru had it in '90, and now it's the latest thing on the new Ford diesel's..... Go figure

I use it all the time. Like at 55-60, when I don't want a downshift to 2nd or something.

tahiti350 wrote:That's what I thought, just wanted to make sure. Definatgely not needed in "normal" driving, mine won't shift under hard acceleration until it hits the rev limiter, (pop, pop, shift), but it does seem to help hold the engine under deceleration, allows keeping the RPM's up to maximize engine braking. (and Yes, I'm use to diesel trucks and stick shifts...).

Thanks for the info, and I have 2 owners manuals, one for Subaaru's, and one specifical;y for Legacy's. Unfortunately the previos owner put them inthe seat back map pocket with a chocolate bar. Made a hella mess.

GaryB> Tahiti350
Boat and truck guy in an economy world

Err in my impreza I can hit the rev limter in 2nd with and Without the manual button pressed... haha speaking of that I remember when I hit the rev limter is 3rd gear.. Took FORERVER, and had to do like near 95 to 100mph.

The 1.8L is so annoying but can be smart sometimes...
say like you floor it it goes into 4th, you can downshift by just letting up a little and flooring the car again, wont make you that much faster, but say your going up a slight hill the car will later do it on it's own or whatever...

Man I'd need someone else to film my car..

Speaking of that I might do that in a parking lot.

If I recall, I believe the Manual button is a way to keep traction in slippery conditions. In my experience using it, when you put Manual and in 1st or 2nd gear, you can get on the gas, but it retards the timing.. keeping the RPMs down in an effort to keep the tires from breaking loose.

correct me if Im wrong

I don't think it retards timing.. in 1st gear it does not do jack..

put it in 2nd with the button pressed and the car starts From 2nd instead of First, and it wont hunt between 1st and 2nd.