Subaru Ascent 2018-2026 Owner's Manual: Shift lock function

The shift lock mechanism in the Subaru Ascent is designed to enhance safety by preventing unintended or incorrect operation of the select lever. This system ensures that gear changes occur only under appropriate conditions.

• In the Subaru Ascent, the select lever can only be operated when the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and the brake pedal is firmly depressed.
• The select lever cannot be moved out of the "P" (Park) position unless the brake pedal is pressed first.

  Always depress the brake pedal before attempting to shift the lever to another position.

• Only when the Subaru Ascent is in the "P" position can the ignition switch be turned from "ACC" to "LOCK"/"OFF" and the key removed.
• If the ignition is set to "ACC" while the select lever is in the "N" position, shifting into "P" may require pressing both the brake pedal and the select lever button simultaneously.

Shift lock release

If the select lever in the Subaru Ascent cannot be moved normally, first turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position. Then attempt to shift to "P" while pressing both the brake pedal and the select lever button.

If the lever still does not move, inspect the following conditions and proceed accordingly to release the shift lock.

• When the select lever cannot be shifted from "P" to "N":

Refer to the Subaru Ascent procedure for releasing the shift lock using the dedicated release button.

• When the select lever cannot be shifted from "N" to "R" or "P":

Switch the ignition to the "ACC" position, then press the brake pedal and attempt to move the Subaru Ascent select lever into the "P" position.

If the lever still remains locked, follow the manual release procedure using the shift lock release button.

If the Subaru Ascent shift lock cannot be disengaged even after these steps, it may indicate a malfunction within the shift lock or vehicle control system.

In such cases, contact an authorized SUBARU dealer as soon as possible for inspection and repair.

Shift lock release using the shift lock release button

To manually override the shift lock in the Subaru Ascent, follow this procedure carefully.

1. Apply the parking brake securely and turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK"/"OFF" position.

2. Wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with a soft cloth or vinyl tape to prevent damage, then carefully remove the shift lock cover. The Subaru Ascent shift lock release button is located beneath this cover.

3. Detach the handle portion of the screwdriver if necessary to improve access.

4. While pressing the brake pedal, insert the screwdriver into the opening and gently move it side to side while pressing the shift lock release button. Then move the Subaru Ascent select lever to the desired position.

If the select lever still does not move after performing this procedure, the shift lock system may be faulty. Contact a SUBARU dealer for professional inspection as soon as possible.

Driving tips

CAUTION

If both the accelerator and brake pedals are pressed simultaneously in the Subaru Ascent, engine output may be limited as a protective measure.

This behavior is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

• When the Subaru Ascent is stopped in "D" or "R", always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the vehicle in place.
• Always engage the parking brake when parking the Subaru Ascent. Do not rely solely on the transmission to keep the vehicle stationary.
• Avoid holding the Subaru Ascent on an incline using only the accelerator in "D". Instead, use the brake to prevent unnecessary strain on the transmission.
• In rare situations, slight engine knocking may occur during rapid acceleration or when starting abruptly. This is a normal characteristic of the Subaru Ascent and not a defect.

The Subaru Ascent shift lock system and transmission controls are designed to maximize safety and reliability, ensuring that gear changes occur only under controlled and appropriate conditions.