3rd GEAR

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Subaru Forester, 2012 Subaru Forester, 2011 Subaru Forester, and 2010 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When the 3rd gear is selected, the low clutch and the high clutch are engaged. The engaged high clutch rotates through its drum the front planetary carrier, and rotation of the carrier is transmitted to the rear internal gear through the engaged low clutch. In this power flow configuration, the rear sun gear and the rear internal gear rotate at the same speed since the rear pinion gears are solid on their axes and the whole planetary gear train rotates as a unit at the same speed as its sun gear. As a result, the input shaft and the reduction drive shaft rotate at the same speed.

In the 3rd gear, the one-way clutch is freewheeling because the low clutch is rotating clockwise. Since the drive power is transmitted without passing through the one-way clutch, the backward driving force from the wheels is transmitted through the reduction drive shaft to the input shaft; this makes the engine braking effect available.

Operating condition of components

High clutch: engaged
Low clutch: engaged

Power flow (in acceleration)

Fig 1: Identifying Gear Train Components (3rd Gear)

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

MEMO