Method 1 Method 1 of 8: Hill Descent

1. 1 Consider using the paddles when on a long, steep decline to take advantage of engine braking and prevent wheel brakes from overheating. This is especially useful when you're stuck behind someone who is riding their brakes.
2. 2 Pull the left paddle toward you (downshift) until you reach a comfortable speed. You do not need to shift the car into manual mode. The car will stay in whatever gear you chose for it until you step on the gas.

Method 2 Method 2 of 8: Snowy or Icy Conditions

1. 1 Use the paddle shifters instead of brakes to slow down. Downshift the same way as described for hill descent. This will allow you to slow down more gently and maintain better control of the car.
2. 2 Get a smooth start on a slippery surface by holding the car in 2nd gear. Put your foot on the brake, pull the right paddle toward you once to engage 2nd gear, and lift your foot off the brake.

Method 3 Method 3 of 8: Towing

1. 1 To tow using the paddlers, use manual mode. Then keep the car in the lowest gear possible by pulling the "-" paddle until it wont shift down any more. Only use this to get moving or going up a hill with a heavy load being towed. Use the "-" paddle to slow down too, that will take stress off the breaks when slowing down or descending a hill. When on flat ground, to achieve max fuel economy, shift into the highest gear using the "+" shift paddle. When you need to have power to climb a hill or overtake, use the "-" paddle to move down a couple gears to achieve more power and torque to move faster or have more power to pull the load.
   • The higher the RPM, the more power to pull, but the worst fuel economy. The lower the rpm, the better the fuel economy but less torque to tow with.

Method 4 Method 4 of 8: Passing

1. 1 Downshift right before passing someone. Putting the car into a lower gear will give you some extra zip when passing another vehicle on the highway, or joining traffic when there is a short ramp, without having to floor the accelerator.
   • When at steady speed in full auto mode, the Subaru's CVT system keeps RPMs low for fuel efficiency; pushing down the accelerator very rapidly increases torque, but the RPMs still need to build up. Downshifting raises the RPMs so when you accelerate, you don't have to wait for the RPMs to catch up.
   • Always check your blind spot by turning your head before changing lanes.

Method 5 Method 5 of 8: Climbing

1. 1 Downshift to a lower gear to get more power while climbing, as done with passing.

Method 6 Method 6 of 8: Turning On a Winding Descent

1. 1 Keep in mind that this technique should only be used when facing a long, steep descent. Downshifting on a daily basis for normal turns might have a negative effect as described above for downshifting for traffic lights.
2. 2 Downshift to slow down when you see a corner coming, before the turn. Do not switch gears during the turn.
3. 3 Keep your hands at a fixed position on the steering wheel so you don't lose track of the paddles. Don't turn hand over hand. If the turn is sharp and requires hand over hand, use brakes, not paddles.
4. 4 Finish with the turn before manually changing gears again.

Method 7 Method 7 of 8: Off Roading

1. 1 Move the lever into manual mode.
2. 2 Hold the car in first or second gear while you traverse the great outdoors.

Method 8 Method 8 of 8: Hypermiling

1. 1 Upshift to progress though gears faster than your car normally does.
2. 2 Pull the upshift (right) paddle after you let off the gas. This minimizes engine braking and maximizes coasting speed. The Outback has aggressive fuel shutoff, letting inertia do all the work when coasting.