What is that manual button on the auto stick
 

Hello

I may as well just email Earl and ask him directly as he seems replie to questions/posts even before I click the "submit" button....

Don't make fun of me for asking this question, the last time I was in an SVX was in late summer of 1991 when my friend came by with the New "Super Car" 92 Pearl his dad had just bought. I remember being in awe with the car's style, interior suede, the Pearl paint color etc...The the drive around the block was....!!!!!!

Anyways, I just bought my first SVX. Remember, I have not been in once since 1992 before you comment on my question and I wont be getting mine before the end of Feb or early March.

I know that Auto stick has some form of manual mode. I have seen pictures of the smaller button labeled "Manual" below the standard larger **** one. I know today's cars that you usually shift the stick to the right or left and then can switch through the gears manually by pushing up or down on the stick but I assume (know) that the SVX's system was/is not like that. Can someone explain how it functions?

I also don't think I plan on using it as from all that I read hear I feel these tranny's are so fragile that I would want to refrain from giving it any extra stress that needed. Especially since I am sure the current original owner has prob never used that button/option.

Thanks for the feed back and info.

regards

Max

The manual button just makes the car hold gear 2 or gears 2 and 3 when the selector is in position 2 or position 3.

What about 1?

As far as I can tell, if you put the selector in 1, it will stay in 1 regardless of whether the manual button is pushed in.

I wouldn't consider that the transmissions are fragile. The first transmissions in the 92s has some issues that were fixed from 94 on. If you put in an external cooler if the transmission heats up the way you drive, it will help. I would also put in an external filter. That will help as well. :)

The technical aspects escape me, but it lets you simulate a clutch slipping 2nd gear start in the snow. I used it today the first time, works great. On a seperate note, I pulled into a autostore for an ice scraper. The guy following me in asked if I was getting chains too, there were rooster tails out all the wheels of that 'thing'. I said no, just getting an ice scraper. It's an empty parking lot, it's not so safe driving like that normally. The car sticks so well I don't have a lot of fun driving in the snow... That look he had... That's one of the reasons I love this car. Then I told him I might get snow tires, but I didn't want to spend the money on something I didn't need.

ext filter
 

Hello Earl

You would obviously know better than I, but I thought that the 95 (maybe?), 96 and 97s had the trans filter moved to the outside. Is that not the case or do you mean that one should add a second aftermarket but perhaps better filter than what is stock.

Thanks

Max

The 92s didn't have an external filter. There was a recall and then they were added. 93s were the same. The problem that occured was that the screen in the radiator clogged and stopped or reduced the flow of fluid which allowed the fluid to over heat, and the tranny failed. I don't think Subaru added an external filter to the system, but upgraded the system so there would not be problems. I like the PermaCool external filter because it has a fitting for a temperature sensor as well as having a cheap filter that can be replaced. Most members also like to add an external cooler to help prevent over heating of the fluid.

What Jason says is correct Max. When Manual is engaged the gearbox software denies the use of 1 range if the selector is in D, 3 or 2.

This is primarily to aid easy non-wheel-spinning starts in snow, ice or mud.

Like Earl says the tranny is robust enough if you maintain it correctly and add the extra cooler if your use pattern promotes high heat.

Also when driving the car, note that you can manually pull the lever back from D [which is an overdrive ratio] to 3, then you hit a detente. This feature has been put there as an aid to driving and particularly overtaking. You should feel free to pull it back to 3 before you proceed to overtake, then slip back up to D when clear. This will not harm the box, it was designed to work that way.

Joe:)

External filter
 

Hello Earl,

Now I will take your word over theirs, this is what I read on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_SVX

...."Automatic transmission failures in the early models (1992-1993) were caused by a fine screen filter installed in the transmission cooler, which was located inside the radiator. Debris from normal wear would build up and clog the screen, reducing or stopping automatic transmission fluid flow, thus killing the transmission through overheating. Subaru later corrected this by removing the screen entirely and installing a proper external filter in the automatic transmission fluid circuit to catch any debris from the transmission, before it entered the cooler. In 1994 the transmission received several upgrades, taking care of some of its reliability issues. With proper fluid maintenance and the addition of a larger aftermarket transmission cooler this problem is correctable."

By all means I am not questioning your knowledge and like I said above, if you tell me otherwise I will go with what you say. Is it a different kind of filter they talk about being "a proper external filter in the ...fluid circuit" or could that be for JDM cars?

I ask about this because while I am not a hard driver at all and would prob never cause the trans to over heat I would like to add an external filter (or better one) to prevent early wearing. I would consider the extra cooler as well for when I get mine. I will be having a lot of questions like this in respect to reliability maintenance and or mods/additions. Things like the timing belt, bearing greasing, and sparks etc....

Thanks for the help,

Max

Manual Mode
 

Hello Joe,

I am sure my use would not cause the tranny to heat up. I am a very light driver. That said should i still have the extra cooler added?

I guess the manual button is the same as what I have in my Volvo XC90 but on it its called "WINTER" in place of "Manual". When the Winter button is pushed it forces the car to start in 2nd gear thus aiding against too much torque and slippage.

Thanks to all for the info on this,

Max

Max - when you get the car and see what is on it, we can suggest adding some of these pieces to it or keeping it the same. It is difficult to know what is on the car at this time. :)

ahead of myself
 

Hello Earl,

I am just getting ahead of myself in anticipation of the car. As far as I know the car is suppose to be completely stock with no upgrades in excellent dealer maintained condition by original owner. If that turns out not to be the case when I get down there in late Feb then I won't be buying it however, I don't suspect that to be the case. I have been provided the dealer's name where she bought and has serviced it, and she is willing to have all records shared with me plus informs me that this is her car and its been babied from they one. Not to mention the forum member here that has vouched for the seller and car itself. In my past experience I have not had any forum members be untruthful when it came to helping in buying or selling an item when it has not been their own and they are simply helping both parties. I suspect that not to change as this is why we are all here That is of coarse also because my wife could not car for a car past the point that it takes a key, needs gas, and must go when she wants it to. And, fully know that thats my wife and not all women so please ladies, don't ban me from your good books-I see many of you at car shows, just not my wife.

Regards and thanks

Max

Re: What is that manual button on the auto stick
 

another "FEATURE" of the "MANUAL" button is to DENY torque converter clutch dis-engagement

when manual is selected and cruise set rpm remains same whether flat or uphill

when manual is off and cruise set rpm will bump up as needed while going uphill

for example while cruising 60mph @2k
step 1. tc unlock and rpm increase of 250 rpm
step 2. not sure what does happen, but another 250 rpm is added

Re: What is that manual button on the auto stick
 

manual mode while in D and driving prevents torque converter lockup- ie overdrive. in winter type driving, spinouts occur on sudden patches of ice when the TC is in locked mode, so in severe winter driving, drive with it in MANUAL mode, thus, it uses 2nd on starts (no first gear, so less spinning on t the get go) and keep it in manual, so as to prevent a spinout while in D at cruising highway interstate speeds.