Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2004 Subaru Forester XT, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Select Lever
- The automatic transmission's select lever moves through seven positions.
- The select lever makes shift direction (longitudinal) movements as well as select direction (lateral) movements. The select lever is guided by a gate to make these movements.
- To transmit movements of the select lever to the transmission, a push-pull cable is used.
- The select lever mechanism has a detent spring and a detent arm. It ensures more precise positioning of the select lever.
- The select lever base is provided with a shift lock mechanism, N-R lock mechanism (turbo models) and a shift lock release button.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.