height SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G User Guide

1-26 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
bottom base that fits snugly against the
contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.
C: Rear seat, center seating position
Installing a child restraint system is not
recommended, although the A/ELR seat-
belt and an upper anchorage (tether an-
chorage) are provided in this position.
Some types of child restraints might not
be able to be secured firmly due to projec-
tion of the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should use
only a child restraint system that has a
bottom base that fits snugly against the
contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.
„Choosing a child restraint
system
Choose a child restraint system that is ap-
propriate for the child’s age and size
(weight and height) in order to provide the
Put children aged 12 and under in
the rear seat properly restrained at
all times. The SRS airbag deploys
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 restrained. Because chil-
dren are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured
from deployment is greater.
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

1-38 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
NOTE
When you sell your vehicle, we urge
you to explain to the buyer that it is
equipped with SRS airbags by alerting
him or her to the applicable section in
this Owner’s Manual.
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.
yNever allow a child to stand up, or
to kneel on the front passenger’s
seat, or never hold a child on your
lap or in your arms. The SRS air-
bag deploys with considerable
force and can injure or even kill
the child.
y When the SRS airbag deploys,
some smoke will be released. This
smoke could cause breathing
problems for people with a history
of asthma or other breathing trou-
ble. If you or your passengers
have breathing problems after
SRS airbag deploys, get fresh air
promptly.
y A deploying SRS airbag releases
hot gas. Occupants could get
burned if they come into direct
contact with the hot gas.

3-20 Instruments and controls
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 switch
The 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 button
The 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
300134300135

Starting and operating 7-25
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.
NOTE
If the rear axle is loaded excessively,
the vehicle body may not be adjusted
to the proper position.
700054
700055

8-20 Driving tips
TGross Axle Weight (GAW) and
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Gross Axle Weight
The 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 load
Ensure 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 scale
The 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.
800229800214
1 2
800230

Maintenance and service 11 - 27
Brake booster
If 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 pedal
Check 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
play
1) 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. „
Checking the brake pedal re-
serve distance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbs (294 N, 30 kg) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact with your
SUBARU dealer.
1
B00377
1
B00378

12-2 Specifications
Sp ecificationsSpecifications
These specifications are subject to change without notice. „Dimensions
in (mm)
*1: Measured with vehicle empty
AT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmission
Item2.5-liter non-turbo models2.5-liter turbo models
Drive systemAWD
Transmission typeATMTATMT
Overall length176.6 (4,485)
Overall width68.3 (1,735)
Overall height62.6 (1,590)62.4 (1,585)
Wheel base99.4 (2,525)
TreadFront58.9 (1,495)
Rear58.5 (1,485)
Ground clearance* 18.07 (205)7.87 (200)

13-2 Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Co nsumer informa tion and Repo rting s afe ty defec tsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been com-
piled according to Code of Federal Regu-
lations “Title 49, Part 575”.Tire information „Tire labeling
Many 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
y
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 code
P 215 / 60 R 16
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
P 215 / 60 R 16 94 H
Size designation (6) (7)

14-6 Index
ReplacingAir cleaner element .................................................... 11-15
Battery (remote keyless entry) ....................................... 2-8
Bulbs ......................................................................... 11-44
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 ...................................................................... 1-20
Maintenance ................................................................ 1-19
Pretensioners .............................................................. 1-21
Safety tips .................................................................... 1-10
Warning light and chime ....................................... 1-12, 3-9
Seatbelts .......................................................................... 1-10
Seats Fabric .......................................................................... 10-4
Heater ............................................................................ 1-7
Selector lever (AT vehicles) ............................................. 7-11
Self-leveling rear suspension ........................................... 7-25
Shift lock release .............................................................. 7-14
Shift position indicator ...................................................... 3-15
Shopping bag hook .......................................................... 6-14
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 ............................................................... 1-40
Side airbag ................................................................... 1-52
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 4, 1-36
Steering wheel Power ........................................................................... 7-15
Tilt wheel ...................................................................... 3-28
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 ............................................................. 3-28
Tire Chains .......................................................................... 8-10
Inspection .................................................................. 11-30
Pressures and wear ................................................... 11-31
Replacement .............................................................. 11-34
Rotation ..................................................................... 11-34
Types ......................................................................... 11-30
Top tether anchorages ..................................................... 1-34
Towing .............................................................................. 9-10
All wheels on the ground ............................................. 9-12
Flat-bed truck ............................................................... 9-12