height SUBARU FORESTER 2006 User Guide

1-26
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
„Choosing a child restraint
systemChoose a child restraint system that is ap-
propriate for the child’s age and size
(weight and height) in order to provide the child with proper protection. The child re-
straint system should meet all applicable
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards for United States or
Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
for Canada. It can be identified by looking
for the label on the child restraint system
or the manufacture’s statement of compli-
ance in the document attached to the sys-
tem. Also it is important for you to make
sure that the child restraint system is com-
patible with the vehicle in which it will be
used.
Consequently, be sure to secure
ALL types of child restraint devices
(including forward facing child
seats) in the REAR seats at all times.
You should choose a restraint de-
vice which is appropriate for the
child’s age, height and weight. Ac-
cording to accident statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly re-
strained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating posi-
tions.
100608
SINCE YOUR VEHICLE IS
EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER’S
SRS AIRBAG, NEVER INSTALL A
REARWARD FACING CHILD SAFE-
TY SEAT IN THE FRONT PASSEN-
GER’S SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SE-
RIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE
CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S
HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS
AIRBAG.
100502
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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-37
– CONTINUED –
yThe SRS airbags deploy with con-
siderable speed and force. Occu-
pants who are out of proper posi-
tion when the SRS airbag deploys
could suffer very serious injuries.
Because the SRS airbag needs
enough space for deployment, the
driver should always sit upright
and well back in the seat as far
from the steering wheel as practi-
cal while still maintaining full ve-
hicle control and the front passen-
ger should move the seat as far
back as possible and sit upright
and well back in the seat.yDo not place any objects over or
near the SRS airbag cover or be-
tween you and the SRS airbag. If
the SRS airbag deploys, those ob-
jects could interfere with its prop-
er operation and could be pro-
pelled inside the vehicle and
cause injury.
yPut children aged 12 and under in
the rear seat properly restrained
at all times. The SRS airbag de-
ploys with considerable speed
and force and can injure or even
kill children, especially if they are
12 years of age and under and are
not restrained or improperly re-
strained. Because children are
lighter and weaker than adults,
their risk of being injured from de-
ployment is greater.
100082
Consequently, we strongly rec-
ommend that ALL children (in-
cluding those in child seats and
those that have outgrown child re-
straint devices) sit in the REAR
seat properly restrained at all
times in a child restraint device or
in a seatbelt, whichever is appro-
priate for the child’s age, height
and weight. Secure ALL types of child re-
straint devices (including forward
facing child seats) in the REAR
seats at all times.According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating po-
sitions.For instructions and precautions
concerning the child restraint sys-
tem, see the “Child restraint sys-
tems” section in this chapter. yNEVER INSTALL A REARWARD
FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE
FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO
THE CHILD BY PLACING THE
CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO
THE SRS AIRBAG.
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Instruments and controls
3-21
Headlight beam leveler (Canada-spec. 2.5XT)The 2.5XT has High-Intensity Discharge
(HID) headlights on the low beam setting.
The HID headlights generate more light
than conventional halogen headlights.
Therefore a driver of an oncoming vehicle
may experience too much glare when
your headlight beam height adjustment is
high due to the vehicle carrying a heavy
load.
The headlight beam leveler can be used
to adjust beam height to avoid such a con-
dition.
The higher the number the switch is
turned to, the lower the beam height be-
comes.
Parking light switchThe parking light switch operates regard-
less of the ignition switch position.
By pushing the front end of this switch, fol-
lowing lights will come on.
– Parking lights
– Front side marker lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the park-
ing light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long
time because that will run down the bat-
tery.
Front fog light buttonThe front fog lights operate only when the
headlights are on low beam. Push the
front fog light button to turn the front fog
lights on.
However, the front fog lights turn off when
the headlights are switched to high beam.
Press the button again to turn them off.
The indicator light located on the button
will illuminate when the front fog lights are
on.
300133
300134
300135
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Starting and operating
7-29
TTo decrease the speed (by brake
pedal)
1. Depress the brake pedal to release
cruise control temporarily.
2. When the speed decreases to the de-
sired speed, press the control lever down-
ward in the “SET/COAST” direction once.
Now the desired speed is set and the ve-
hicle will keep running at that speed with-
out depressing the accelerator pedal.
Self-leveling rear suspension (if equipped)The self-leveling suspension adjusts the
vehicle body position automatically to
keep it level at all times irrespective of the
number of occupants and the amount of
cargo.
The self-leveling system is incorporated in
the rear suspension shock absorber and
operates only when the vehicle is in mo-
tion. Owing to the self-leveling suspension, the
vehicle body is adjusted to the proper po-
sition after several drive trips, even if the
rear of the vehicle is lowered by loaded
cargos or a coupled trailer.
If cargos are unloaded all at once, the ve-
hicle height may become higher than the
normal level. This is because that the hy-
draulic pressure in the self-leveling sus-
pension was increased for leveling the
body when the cargos were loaded. In
such a case, the vehicle height will return
to the original level after several driving
trips.
NOTEIf the rear axle is loaded excessively,
the vehicle body may not be adjusted
to the proper position.
700054
700055
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8-20
Driving tips
TGross Axle Weight (GAW) and
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)Gross Axle WeightThe total weight applied to each axle
(GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and
rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating
passengers and luggage inside the vehi-
cle. The front and rear GAWR are also
shown on the certification plate.
To check both GVWR and GAWR and to
confirm that the total weight and weight
distribution are within safe driving limits,
you should have your vehicle and trailer
weighed at a commercial weighing sta-
tion.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.
T
Tongue load
Tongue loadEnsure that the trailer tongue load is from
8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight
and does not exceed the maximum value
of 200 lbs (90 kg).
1) Jack
2) Bathroom scaleThe tongue load can be weighed with a
bathroom scale as shown in the illustra-
tion above. When weighing the tongue
load, be sure to position the towing cou-
pler at the height at which it would be dur-
ing actual towing, using a jack as shown.
800229
800214
1 2
800230
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11 - 2 6
Maintenance and service
„Recommended clutch fluidFMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4brake fluid
Brake boosterIf the brake booster does not operate as
described in the following, have it checked
by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake
pedal several times, applying the same
pedal force each time. The distance the
pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start
the engine. The pedal should move slight-
ly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop
the engine and keep the pedal depressed
for 30 seconds. The pedal height should
not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for ap-
proximately one minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake boost-
er operates properly if the pedal stroke de-
creases with each depression.
Brake pedalCheck the brake pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet”.„Checking the brake pedal free
play1) 0.02 – 0.08 in (0.5 – 2.0 mm)Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Lightly press
the brake pedal down with one finger to
check the free play with a force of less
than 2 lbs (10 N, 1 kg).
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your SUBARU dealer.
y
Never splash the clutch fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts.
Alcohol contained in the clutch
fluid may damage them.
y Be careful not to spill clutch fluid
when adding it. If clutch fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If clutch fluid gets on the ex-
haust pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
Avoid mixing DOT 3 and DOT 4
brake fluids even if they are of the
same brand.
1
B00377
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12-2
Specifications
Specifications
SpecificationsThese specifications are subject to change without notice.„Dimensions
in (mm)
*1: Measured with vehicle empty
AT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmission
Item
2.5-liter non-turbo models
2.5-liter turbo models
Drive system
AWD
Transmission type
AT
MT
AT
MT
Overall length
176.6 (4,485)
Overall width
68.3 (1,735)
Overall height
62.6 (1,590)
62.4 (1,585)
Wheel base
99.4 (2,525)
Tread
Front
58.9 (1,495)
Rear
58.5 (1,485)
Ground clearance*
1
8.07 (205)
7.87 (200)
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13-2
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
For U.S.A.
The following information has been com-
piled according to Code of Federal Regu-
lations “Title 49, Part 575”.
Tire information„Tire labelingMany markings (e.g. Tire size, Tire
Identification Number or TIN) are
placed on the sidewall of a tire by tire
manufacturers. These marking can
provide you with useful information on
the tire.T
Tire size
Your vehicle comes equipped with P-
Metric tire size. It is important to un-
derstand the sizing system in select-
ing the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing
system with a breakdown of its indi-
vidual elements.
V
P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section
Width is measured in millimeters. To
convert millimeters into inches, divide
by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Section
Height divided by Section Width)
helps provide more dimensional infor-
mation about the tire size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light
duty vehicles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
÷
section width).
(4) R = Radial Construction
(5) Rim diameter in inches
V
Load and Speed Rating Descrip-
tions
The load and speed rating descrip-
tions will appear following the size
designation.
They provide two important facts
about the tire. First, the number des-
ignation is its load index. Second, the
letter designation indicates the tire’s
speed rating.
Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical codeP 215 / 60 R 16(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)P 215 / 60 R 16 94 H
Size designation (6) (7)
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14-6
Index
Battery (remote keyless entry) ....................................... 2-8
Bulbs ......................................................................... 11-43
Transmitters ................................................................... 2-9
Rocking the vehicle .......................................................... 8-11
Roof rail and crossbar ...................................................... 8-13
S
Safety Precautions when driving .................................................. 4
Symbol .............................................................................. 2
Warnings ........................................................................... 2
Seat height adjustment (drivers seat) ................................. 1-4
Seatbelt .................................................................................. 4 Extender ...................................................................\
... 1-19
Maintenance ................................................................ 1-19
Pretensioners ..........................................................\
.... 1-20
Safety tips .................................................................... 1-10
Warning light and chime ....................................... 1-12, 3-9
Seatbelts .......................................................................... 1-10
Seats Fabric .......................................................................... 10-4
Heater ............................................................................ 1-6
Selector lever (AT vehicles) ............................................. 7-11
Self-leveling rear suspension ........................................... 7-29
Shift lock release .............................................................. 7-14
Shift position indicator ...................................................... 3-16
Shopping bag hook .......................................................... 6-13
Snow tires ........................................................................ 8-10
Snowy and icy roads .......................................................... 8-9
Spark plugs .................................................................... 11-17
Specifications ................................................................... 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................\
.......... 3-6 SRS
Airbag system warning light ......................................... 3-10
Frontal airbag ............................................................... 1-41
Side airbag ................................................................... 1-53
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 4, 1-36
Steering wheel Power ........................................................................... 7-15
Tilt wheel ...................................................................... 3-29
Storage compartments ....................................................... 6-4
Sun visors ........................................................................... 6-3
Supplemental Restraint System airbag ............................ 1-36
Synthetic leather upholstery ............................................. 10-5
T
Tachometer ........................................................................ 3-7
Temperature gauge ............................................................ 3-8
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) .............................. 3-12
Tie-down hooks ................................................................ 9-11
Tilt steering wheel ............................................................. 3-29
Tire Chains .......................................................................... 8-10
Inspection .................................................................. 11-30
Pressures and wear ................................................... 11-30
Replacement .............................................................. 11-33
Rotation ..................................................................... 11-32
Types ......................................................................... 11-29
Top tether anchorages ..................................................... 1-34
Towing .............................................................................. 9-10 All wheels on the ground ............................................. 9-12
Flat-bed truck ............................................................... 9-12
Trailer Connecting .............................................................\
...... 8-16
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