Ken C

Thanks for the verification -- I was afraid that the rumor was true! Your description was exactly what I heard, but you can't find that out anywhere in the brochures -- seems like Subaru is embarrassed by that and won't come clean and give that information. Very disappointing, a shame that Subaru took away that feature (keeping it exclusive for only the turbo models) -- it would seem that the lower-powered non-turbos need the help of selecting "gears" more than the turbo, wouldn't you think? Have to rethink our purchase plans now. Thanks for the reply.

2013 and earlier Foresters had a "manual mode" option where you can toggle the shift up and down through the gears (as on those years' Outback, and the 2014 turbo Foresters, using steering wheel paddles). But the 2014 non-turbo Foresters don't seem to allow that. On the car I can only see an "L" on the shifter (not the old + and -), and I'd like to know that L that represents. Sorry that the thumbnail I've attached is too small to see it clearly. But it would show the rearmost indent of the shift shows "L - D" meaning that if you pull the shift to the left, from "D", you're in "L". I've heard that it's a single gear ratio (I know it's a CVT, but I mean by "single gear" that would keep the transmission ratio constant in some low ratio) suitable only for rough off-roads at under 25 mph. I hope that rumor is wrong, because I'm thinking of buying one (a non-turbo, to be able to use regular gas) but would still like to be able to control my gears when driving fast ("enthusiastically") up and down mountain roads. So can anyone confirm or deny, or explain, what that "L" mode is really all about? Thanks.

Was getting ready to buy a 2014 Forester, and then saw in the brochure that they've reduced the towing capacity from the 2013 and earlier 2,400 lbs to only 1,500 lbs. There isn't anything worth towing that's less than 1,500 lbs. This applies to both the 2.5 and the 2.0 turbo (with the latter's reputedly heavier duty transmission). I wrote to Subaru and they replied that there's no optional towing package (e.g., heavier duty cooling for the engine or transmission) that would raise that limit. The 2014 Forester, now useless. Comments?

I'm planning to do some towing, and in my past (non-Subaru) cars I always added an auxiliary transmission oil cooler, preferrably one offered by the manufacturer. I've found that Subaru offers one, p/n D551SXA000, but it's listed only for the Tribeca. It's claimed to increase towing capacity from 3,000 to 3,500 lbs. I don't plan to exceed the 3.6 Outback's towing limit of 3,000 lbs, but for the sake of transmission longevity (because I tow a camper on vacation, and because I will live in the Cascade Mtns which itself is hard on transmissions), I want to know what I can do to prolong the lifespan of the drivetrain. So has anyone adapted this Tribeca cooler to their 3.6/6-cyl Outback? The engine and transmission is basically the same, isn't it? And regardless of whether you installed that particular cooler, have any of you installed any auxiliary cooler? Thanks, in advance.