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What is the plus minus on a Subaru steering wheel?

The plus minus on a Subaru steering wheel refers to the steering wheel-mounted controls that allow the driver to adjust the vehicle's cruise control settings. These controls are typically located on the left side of the steering wheel and provide an easy way for the driver to increase or decrease the vehicle's set speed without taking their hands off the wheel.

What is the Plus Minus on a Subaru Steering Wheel?

The plus minus controls on a Subaru steering wheel are part of the vehicle's cruise control system. They allow the driver to easily adjust the set speed of the cruise control without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The "plus" button increases the set speed, while the "minus" button decreases the set speed. This makes it convenient for the driver to make small adjustments to the cruise control as needed, such as when passing another vehicle or adjusting to changing road conditions.

How to Use the Plus Minus Controls

To increase the set speed, press the "plus" button on the steering wheel.

To decrease the set speed, press the "minus" button on the steering wheel.

The set speed will increase or decrease in small increments, typically 1 mph or 1 km/h, with each press of the button.

The current set speed is displayed on the vehicle's instrument cluster or infotainment screen.

Using the plus minus controls on the steering wheel allows the driver to make quick adjustments to the cruise control without having to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. This can help improve safety and make long-distance driving more comfortable.

Benefits of the Plus Minus Controls

Improved Safety: The plus minus controls allow the driver to adjust the cruise control without taking their hands off the steering wheel, reducing the risk of distracted driving.

Increased Convenience: The ability to make small adjustments to the set speed without having to interact with the infotainment system or other controls makes long-distance driving more comfortable and efficient.

Better Fuel Economy: The precise control over the set speed provided by the plus minus buttons can help the driver maintain a more consistent speed, which can improve fuel efficiency.

Overall, the plus minus controls on a Subaru steering wheel are a useful feature that can enhance the driving experience and improve safety and efficiency. By allowing the driver to make quick adjustments to the cruise control without taking their hands off the wheel, these controls can help make long-distance driving more comfortable and enjoyable.

What are the plus and minus things on my steering wheel?

The plus (+) and minus (-) symbols on a steering wheel control the car's transmission in manual mode, allowing you to shift gears yourself. The minus (-) paddle is on the left and is used to downshift to a lower gear, while the plus (+) paddle is on the right and is used to upshift to a higher gear. These are commonly called paddle shifters and are found behind the steering wheel, although some vehicles have them on the gear shift lever instead.

This video explains how to use paddle shifters and what they are for: 59sHondaYouTube · Apr 24, 2023
How to use paddle shifters

To upshift: Pull the plus (+) paddle on the right side of the steering wheel to shift to a higher gear.
To downshift: Pull the minus (-) paddle on the left side of the steering wheel to shift to a lower gear.
To use temporarily: In a regular automatic mode, you can often use the paddles for a temporary manual shift. The transmission will automatically return to its normal gear selection after a short time.
To stay in manual mode: You will need to put the car into a manual mode, often by moving the gear shift lever to the 'M' position.
To return to automatic: You can switch back to automatic mode by pulling and holding the plus (+) paddle, or by shifting the gear lever back to 'D' for drive.

Why use paddle shifters

More control: Gives you more direct control over gear selection, which can be helpful when going downhill for engine braking or when you need extra power for merging onto a highway.
Sporty feel: Allows for a more engaging and sporty driving experience.
Safety: Downshifting can be used as a safety measure for engine braking if you have a temporary brake failure.

This video demonstrates how to use paddle shifters in different situations: 59sCars With SteveYouTube · Nov 11, 2023

What do Subaru steering wheel buttons do?

If you have an orange symbol that looks like the letter. I lowercase. I you can actually hit this button on the left side.

What is the +/- on my gear shift?

The plus (+) and minus (-) symbols on your gear shift allow you to manually change gears in a semi-automatic mode, giving you more control over the car. The minus sign (-) is used to downshift to a lower gear, which is useful for gaining acceleration or for engine braking on steep descents. The plus sign (+) is used to upshift to a higher gear.

You can watch this video to learn how to use the plus and minus symbols on your gear shift: 59sWLWTYouTube · Jan 13, 2018
How to use the manual mode

Enter manual mode: Move the gear selector from "D" (Drive) into the position with the plus/minus symbols. The current gear will often appear on your dashboard.
Downshift (-): To shift to a lower gear, push the lever forward (or towards the "-"). This can be helpful for:
- Overtaking: Quickly gain acceleration by downshifting.
- Going downhill: Use a lower gear to control your speed and avoid overheating the brakes.
- Slippery roads: Start in a lower gear (like 1st or 3rd) for better traction.
Upshift (+): To shift to a higher gear, pull the lever back (or towards the "+"). This can be useful for:
- Saving fuel: The transmission will shift to higher gears to conserve fuel when you don't need maximum power.
- Maintaining momentum: Manually select a gear to keep the car from shifting up or down unnecessarily when following other vehicles.
Exit manual mode: The shifter will usually return to the center position after you've made a gear change, and the car will continue to shift automatically.

Important notes

The car will often have a rev limiter to prevent you from damaging the engine by shifting into too low a gear.
Always check your owner's manual, as features and their exact operation can vary by vehicle model.

Can I switch to paddle shifters while driving?

Yes, you can use paddle shifters in drive mode, but they will typically operate in a temporary manual mode, with the car automatically returning to automatic mode after a short time. This is useful for situations like needing extra engine braking on a downhill slope or a quick burst of power for merging. Some vehicles may require the shifter to be in "M" (manual) for continuous manual control.
This video demonstrates how to use paddle shifters in both drive and manual modes: 59sCars With SteveYouTube · Nov 11, 2023
How it works

Temporary control in Drive: When you use the paddles in "D" (Drive), the transmission temporarily engages a manual mode. This gives you the ability to downshift for engine braking or upshift for quick acceleration.
Automatic return: The car will automatically switch back to regular drive mode after a few seconds of inactivity or when it determines it's needed, for example, if you accelerate hard or slow down.
Benefits: Using the paddles in drive is beneficial for situations like going downhill (engine braking) or merging onto a highway (extra acceleration) without having to move the gear shift lever out of "D".
Continuous manual control: To have continuous control, you may need to move the gearshift lever to the "M" (Manual) position, which often keeps the transmission in manual mode until you switch back.
Automatic downshifting: In both regular drive and manual mode, the car will still automatically downshift to a safe gear if you slow down too much.
Automatic upshifting: In regular drive mode, the car may still automatically upshift even if you don't, and can sometimes shift multiple gears at once.

This video explains how to use paddle shifters in Subaru vehicles: 56sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Mar 17, 2022

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.