Subaru’s Most Forgotten Feature And Why You Don’t Use It

Many customers ask, what are Subaru's paddle shifters, and how do I use them?

Your Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, or another model is equipped with a unique and often overlooked feature-the steering wheel paddle shifters. Many owners may not be using or fully understanding this feature. I'm here to shed light on how and when to use them, unlocking their potential for you. 

Subaru has a unique feature on its Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, and other models. However, most new Subaru vehicles' steering wheel paddle shifters are rarely used.   

These paddle shifters could be one of the best features on the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and Ascent models for improving drivability. Learning to use them effectively can significantly enhance your driving experience. You will know after you read my report.

Kelley Blue Book says, "More fun and making for quicker shifts than the shift lever (or actual shifts in a manual transmission), paddle shifters can completely alter your driving experience for the better. Even many manual car enthusiasts grudgingly admit there is life after the clutch."

The new third-generation 2024 Crosstrek and other new models use a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Control, Incline Start Assist, and 8-speed manual mode with paddle shifters. Here are the advantages and how to use them to their full potential.

You will find the paddle shifters underneath the right and left of your steering wheel to manually control your Subaru CVT gears. You can take control in certain situations instead of letting the automatic transmission do the work. 

The best way and situations to use the steering wheel paddle shifts is to control your throttle response. The left paddle shifter with the minus sign shifts down, and the paddle shifter on the right with the plus sign will shift up. 

Here's how to get the optimum benefit from your Subaru paddle shifters.

1. When you are on the onramp and trying to accelerate and merge into highway traffic, it is an ideal time to use the paddle shifters. You can use your paddle shifter and downshift to increase your engine's rpm. This will increase your speed, and you can safely merge into fast-moving traffic.

2. You can use the paddle shifters to brake your Subaru vehicle. You can keep the transmission in the appropriate gear to keep it from constantly shifting.

If you are on a steep decline on a highway in the mountains or on a steep off-road trail, you can downshift and put the transmission in lower gear. This will slow your speed and keep you from having to keep your foot on the brake pedal.

Using your paddle shifters in this way can save the life of your brakes, and you won't wear out the brake pads prematurely. 

Many Subaru owners tow a small camper. Being able to downshift on a downhill grade manually slows the vehicle, giving the brakes a rest.

3. When driving in snow or slick, icy conditions, you can use the paddle shifters to control throttle response and have greater control over the vehicle. 

If you are in deep snow, you can turn off your traction control and put the vehicle in first gear. This allows you to drive in a lower gear like you would if you were in 4WD Low.

In slippery conditions, starting in a higher gear reduces the wheel spin rate, reducing the likelihood of digging in and becoming stuck.

The Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system is excellent in severe weather, and shifting manually gives you extra confidence when you control the speed in dicey situations. 

Do you want better performance from your Subaru vehicle?

A practiced driver can coax more performance from Subaru's Boxer engine by manually shifting with paddle shifters. Cornering is an ideal opportunity to downshift going into the turn and upshift appropriately coming out of a turn.

When should you use the "M" and "D" Drive modes on the Subaru gear shift? 

You can leave the gear shifter in Drive and let the transmission shift independently or change the gear lever to the "M" or manual mode.

Putting the transmission in Drive will automatically shift for you and sense the right gear for you to be in. 

You must use the paddle shifters if the gear shifter is in Manual mode. It would be best to shift when the engine reaches around 3,000 to 3,500 RPMs on the tachometer. This can be tiring unless you are on a race track with the Subaru WRX or BRZ sports cars.

Keep in it drive, and go. 

Most of the time, you'll want to put the transmission gear shifter in the Drive model and use the paddle shifters to shift up to shift down. The benefit of having the transmission in Drive is that if you leave the transmission in too high of a gear, the transmission will automatically change into the correct gear for your speed without you having to downshift or upshift manually. 

When you put your foot on the throttle, the transmission will automatically revert to Drive mode. 

The steering wheel paddle shifters give you extra control when you need it. They allow you to manually control the gears, which can be beneficial in various driving situations. You can improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance by using the paddle shifters to keep the engine in its most efficient power band.

Do Paddle Shifters Save Gas?

It all depends on how you use them. However, your Subaru CVT automatic transmission is programmed to maximize fuel efficiency. This is true whether it's a performance car like the Subaru WRX or BRZ, a 3-Row SUV like the Ascent, or a compact hatch like the Subaru Impreza.

Paddle shifters are found on most Subaru vehicles with a CVT transmission. Take your new Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, or another model out for a spin and get the most out of Subaru's most forgotten feature, which is very helpful but rarely used to its full potential.

Do you use your steering wheel paddle shifters? We'd love to hear about your experiences with the feature. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your thoughts. Your feedback can help other Subaru owners maximize this unique feature.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru