check engine light SUBARU FORESTER 2001 SF / 1.G Owners Manual

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Instruments and controls Ignition switch3-2
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Key reminder chime 3-4
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Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning flasher 3-5
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Gauges 3-6
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Speedometer 3-6
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Odometer/Trip meter 3-6
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Tachometer 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel gauge 3-8
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Temperature gauge 3-9
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Warning and indicator lights 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt warning light and chime 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airbag system warning light 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11 . . . . . .
Charge warning light 3-12
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Oil pressure warning light 3-12
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AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS warning light (for vehicles with ABS) 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system warning light 3-14
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Door open warning lights 3-15
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Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security system status indicator light (if equipped) 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signal indicator lights 3-15
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High beam indicator 3-15
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Light control switch 3-16
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Turn signals lever 3-18
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Illumination brightness control 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking light switch 3-19
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Fog light switch (if equipped) 3-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper and washer 3-20
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Windshield wiper and washer switches 3-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window wiper and washer switch (if equipped) 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window defogger switch 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 3-27
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Horn 3-28
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Mirrors 3-28
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Inside mirror 3-28
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Outside mirrors 3-31
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Instruments and controls3-9
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CONTINUED –

Temperature gauge
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See “ In case of emergency ” in this manual.
HS0052
Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in accordance with the outside temper-
ature and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately until the pointer of the tempera-
ture gauge reaches near the middle of the range. Engine operation is opti-
mum with the engine coolant at this temperature range and high revving
operation when the engine is not warmed up enough should be avoided.
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on momentarily and
then go out when the ignition switch is initially turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. This permits checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
The following lights come on:

3-10Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL TEMP warning light (automatic transmission vehicles)
ABS warning light (if equipped)
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out bulb or a malfunc-
tion of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the seatbelt
warning light will come on and the reminder chime will sound to remind driver to fasten the seatbelt.
The seatbelt warning light remains on for about six seconds and turns off
automatically after six seconds.
The seatbelt reminder chime will turn off when the driver ’s side seatbelt is
buckled or it will turn off automatically after about six seconds. SRS airbag system warning light AIRBAG
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the SRS airbag
system warning light will come on for about six seconds and go out. This
shows the SRS airbag system is in normal operation.
If this light comes on while driving or remains illuminated even after a
lapse of about 6 seconds from when the ignition key has been turned on,
it may indicate that the SRS airbag system is not working properly. Con-
tact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.

Instruments and controls3-11
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CONTINUED –

CHECK ENGINE warning light/ Malfunction indicator lamp
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes on while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked/repaired by your SUBARU dealer as soonas possible. Continued vehicle operation without having the
emission control system checked and repaired as necessarycould cause serious damage, which may not be covered by your
vehicle’ s warranty.
If this light comes on steadily or blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate that there is a problem or potential problem somewhere in the
emission control system. If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving or does not go out after the
engine starts, an emission control system malfunction has been de-tected.
You should have your vehicle checked by an authorized SUBARU
dealer immediately. NOTE This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of the CHECK
ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on could be
a loose or missing fuel filler cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until
it clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the cap.
Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE warning light
turn off immediately. It may take several driving trips. If the light doesnot go out, take your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer
immediately. If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire condition has

3-12been detected which may damage the emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control system, youshould do the following:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on
steadily after several driving trips. You should have your vehicle
checked by an authorized SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
charging system is not working properly. If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the alterna-
tor belt. If the belt is loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but
the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately. Oil pressure warning light
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on. This may cause serious engine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
engine oil pressure is low and the lubricating system is not working prop-
erly.If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the engine
oil level. If the oil level is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at
the proper level but the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately.

7-6NOTE If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE warning light maycome on. Refer to the
“Warning and indicator lights ” section
located in chapter 3.
State emission testing (U.S. only)
WARNING
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must NEVER be performed
on a single two-wheel dynamometer. Attempting to do so willresult in uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause an acci-
dent or injuries to persons nearby.
CAUTION
Resultant vehicle damage due to improper testing is not covered
under the SUBARU Limited Warranty and is the responsibility ofthe state inspection program or its contractors or licensees.
At state inspection time, remember to tell your inspection or service
station in advance not to place your Subaru AWD vehicle on a two-
wheel dynamometer. Otherwise, serious transmission damage willresult.
Some states have started using d ynamometers in thei r state insp ec tion
p rog rams in ord er to meet their ob lig ation und er fe d eral law to imp lement
stric ter vehic le emission stand ard s to red uc e air p ollution from c ars. A
d ynamometer is a tread mill or roller-like testing d evic e that allows your
c ar ’s wheels to turn while the c ar remains in one p lac e . Dep end ing on
the severity of a state ’s air p ollution p rob lems, the states must ad op t
either a “b asic ” or “enhanc ed ” vehic le emission insp ec tion test. Nor-
mally, a p ortion of the b asic emission test c onsist s of an emission
insp ec tor inserting an analyzer p rob e into the exha ust p ip e of an id ling
vehic le for a short p eriod of time. States with mor e severe air p ollution
p rob lems are req uired to ad op t an enhanc ed vehic le emission test. This