ECO mode SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

1-12 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
„Automatic/Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (A/ELR)
Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Auto-
matic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/
ELR). The Automatic/Emergency Locking
Retractor normally functions as an Emer-
gency Locking Retractor (ELR). The A/
ELR has an additional locking mode “Au-
tomatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode” in-
tended to secure a child restraint system.
When the seatbelt is once drawn out com-
pletely and is then retracted even slightly,
the retractor locks the seatbelt in that po-
sition and the seatbelt cannot be extend-
ed. As the belt is rewinding, clicks will be
heard which indicate the retractor func-
tions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is re-
tracted fully, the ALR mode is released.
When securing a child restraint system on
the rear seats by the use of the seatbelt,
the seatbelt must be changed over to the
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.
When the child restraint system is re-
moved, make sure that the seatbelt re-
tracts fully and the retractor returned to
the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
mode.
For instructions on how to convert the re-
tractor to the ALR mode and restore it to
the ELR mode, see the “Child restraint systems” section in this chapter.
„ Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver’s seat, as re-
quired by current safety standards. There
is a seatbelt warning light in the combina-
tion meter.
If the driver has not yet fastened the seat-
belt when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position, the seatbelt warning
light will flash for 6 seconds, to warn that
the seatbelt is unfastened. If the driver’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also
sound simultaneously.
If the driver’s seatbelt is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the warning light will re-
main lit for 15 seconds. If the driver’s seat-
belt is still not fastened even 15 seconds
later (21 seconds after turning ON the ig-
nition switch), the warning lights will alter-
nate between flashing and steady illumi-
nation at 15-second intervals, and the
chime will sound while the warning light is
flashing.
Alternate flashing and steady illumination
of the warning lights and sounding of the
chime will continue until the driver fastens
the seatbelt.NOTE y If the driver unfastens the seatbelt af-
ter fastening, the seatbelt warning de-
vice operates as follows according to
the vehicle speed. y At speeds lower than approximate-
ly 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals. The
chime will not sound. y At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals and the
chime will sound while the warning
light is flashing.
y It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is
turned ON next time, however, the
complete sequence of warning opera-
tion resumes. For further details about
canceling the warning operation,
please contact your SUBARU dealer.

1-30 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
8. If the child restraint system requires a
top tether, latch the hook onto the top teth-
er anchor and tighten the top tether. See
the “Top tether anchorages” for additional
instructions.
9. To remove the child restraint system,press the release button on the seatbelt
buckle and allow the belt to retract com-
pletely. The belt will return to the ELR
mode. Unhook the top tether hook from
the top tether anchor.
NOTE
When the child restraint system is no
longer in use, remove it and restore the
ELR function of the retractor. That
function is restored by allowing the
seatbelt to retract fully. „ Installing a booster seat
100139
100611
yChild restraint systems and seat-
belts can become hot in a vehicle
that has been closed up in sunny
weather; they could burn a small
child. Check the child restraint
system before you place a child in
it.
yDo not leave an unsecured child
restraint system in your vehicle.
Unsecured child restraint sys-
tems can be thrown around inside
of the vehicle in a sudden stop,
turn or accident; they can strike
and injure vehicle occupants as
well as result in serious injuries or
death to the child.
When you install a child restraint
system, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions supplied with it. After
installing the child restraint system,
check to ensure that it is held se-
curely in position. If it is not held
tight and secure, the danger of your
child suffering personal injury in the
event of an accident may be in-
creased.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-43
– CONTINUED –
y
Do not apply any strong impact to the
front passenger’s seat such as by kicking. y Do not spill liquid on the front passen-
ger’s seat. If liquid is spilled, wipe it off im-
mediately. y Do not remove or disassemble the front
passenger’s seat. y Do not install any accessory (such as
an audio amplifier) other than a genuine
SUBARU accessory under the front pas-
senger’s seat. y Do not place anything (shoes, umbrella,
etc.) under the front passenger’s seat. y The front passenger’s seat must not be
used with the head restraint removed. y Do not leave any article including a child
restraint system on the front passenger’s
seat or the seatbelt tongue and buckle en-
gaged when you leave your vehicle. y Do not place a magnet near the seatbelt
buckle and the seatbelt retractor. y Do not use front seats with their back-
ward-forward position and seatback not
being locked into place securely. If any of
them are not locked securely, adjust them
again. For adjusting procedure, refer to
the “Manual seat” in the front seats sec-
tion in Chapter 1 in this Owner’s Manual.
(Models equipped with manual seats only) y If you use an optional seatbelt extender,
remove it after each use. (Refer to the
“Seatbelt extender” section in this chap- ter.)
If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front
passenger’s occupant detection system
have failed, the SRS airbag system warn-
ing light will illuminate. Have the system
inspected by your SUBARU dealer imme-
diately if the SRS airbag system warning
light comes on.
If your vehicle has sustained impact, this
may affect the proper function of the Sub-
aru advanced frontal airbag system. Have
your vehicle inspected at your SUBARU
dealer.
NOTE
The front passenger’s SRS side airbag
and seatbelt pretensioner are not con-
trolled by the Subaru advanced frontal
airbag system. T
Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and
OFF indicators
1) U.S.-spec. models
2) Canada-spec. models or :Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator
or :Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator
The front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of
the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located next to the
clock in the central portion of the instru-
ment panel.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, both the ON and OFF indi-
cators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators ex-
12
12
100547

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-45
– CONTINUED –
y
Do not place more than one child on the
seat. y Do not install any accessory such as a
table or TV onto the seatback. y Do not store a heavy load in the seat-
back pocket. y Do not allow the rear seat occupant to
place his/her hands or legs on the front
passenger’s seatback, or allow him/her to
pull the seatback. V If the front passenger’s frontal air-
bag ON indicator illuminates and the
OFF indicator extinguishes even
when an infant or a small child is in
a child restraint system (including
booster seat)
Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” posi-
tion if the front passenger’s frontal airbag
ON indicator illuminates and the OFF indi-
cator extinguishes even when an infant or
a small child is in a child restraint system
(including booster seat). Remove the child
restraint system from the seat. By refer-
ring to the child restraint manufacturer’s
recommendations as well as the child re-
straint system installation procedures in
the “Child restraint systems” section in this
chapter, correctly install the child restraint
system. Turn the ignition switch to the
“ON” position and make sure that the front
passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator goes out and the OFF indicator comes on.
If the ON indicator remains illuminated
while the OFF indicator extinguishes, take
the following actions. y
Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than the child restraint system
and the child occupant. y Ensure that there is no article left in the
seatback pocket. y Ensure that the backward-forward posi-
tion and seatback of front passenger’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth. (Models
equipped with manual seats only)
If the ON indicator still illuminates while
the OFF indicator extinguishes after tak-
ing relevant corrective actions described
above, relocate the child restraint system
to the rear seat and immediately contact
your SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
NOTE
When a child who has outgrown a child
restraint system or a small adult is
seated in the front passenger’s seat,
the Subaru advanced frontal airbag
system may or may not activate the
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
depending on the occupant’s seating
posture. If the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag is activated (the ON indi- cator illuminates while the OFF indica-
tor extinguishes), take the following
actions.y
Ensure that no article is placed on
the seat other than the occupant.y Ensure that there is no article left in
the seatback pocket.
If the ON indicator still illuminates
while the OFF indicator extinguishes
despite the fact that the actions noted
above have been taken, seat the child/
small adult in the rear seat and immedi-
ately contact your SUBARU dealer for
an inspection. Even if the system has
passed the dealer inspection, it is rec-
ommended that on subsequent trips
the child/small adult always take the
rear seat.
Children who have outgrown a child re-
straint system should always wear the
seatbelt irrespective of whether the airbag
is deactivated or activated. T Conditions in which front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated
The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
will be activated for deployment upon im-
pact when any of the following conditions
is met regarding the front passenger’s
seat. y When the seat is occupied by an adult.

1-46 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
yWhen a heavy article is placed on the
seat.
When the front passenger’s seat is occu-
pied by an adult, observe the following
precautions. Failure to do so may lessen
the load on the front passenger’s seat, de-
activating the front passenger’s SRS fron-
tal airbag despite the fact that the seat is
occupied by an adult.y Do not allow the rear seat occupant to
lift the front passenger’s seat cushion us-
ing his/her feet. y Do not place any article under the front
passenger’s seat, or squeeze any article
from behind and under the seat. This may
lift the seat cushion. y Do not squeeze any article between the
front passenger’s seat and side trim/pillar,
door or center console box. This may lift
the seat cushion. V If the passenger’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator illuminates and the
ON indicator extinguishes even
when the front passenger’s seat is
occupied by an adult
This can be caused by the adult incorrect-
ly sitting in the front passenger’s seat.
Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” posi-
tion. Ask the front passenger to set the
seatback to the upright position, sit up
straight in the center of the seat cushion, correctly fasten the seatbelt, position his/
her legs out forward, and adjust the seat
to the rearmost position. Turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position. If the OFF in-
dicator remains illuminated while the ON
indicator remains extinguished, take the
following actions. y
Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” po-
sition. y Ensure that there are no articles, books,
shoes or other objects trapped under the
seat, at the rear of the seat, or on the side
of the seat. y Ensure that the backward-forward posi-
tion and seatback of front passenger’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth. (Models
equipped with manual seats only) y Next, turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position and wait 6 seconds to allow the
system to complete self-checking. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators ex-
tinguish for 2 seconds. Now, the ON indi-
cator should illuminate while the OFF indi-
cator remains extinguished.
If the OFF indicator still illuminates while
the ON indicator remains extinguished,
ask the occupant to move to the rear seat
and immediately contact your SUBARU
dealer for an inspection. T
Effect vehicle modifications made
for persons with disabilities may
have on Subaru advanced frontal
airbag system operation (U.S. only)
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, seat belts, front bumper, front side
frame, instrument panel, combination
meter, steering wheel, steering column,
tire, suspension or floor panel can affect
the operation of the Subaru advanced air-
bag system. If you have any questions,
you may contact the following Subaru dis-
tributors:
of Columbia>
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Schuman Inc, dba Subaru of Hawaii
740 Halekauwila Street Honolulu, HI
96813
808-591-3075

2-14 Keys and doors
than two seconds). All doors and the rear
gate will lock, an electric chirp will sound
once, the turn signal lights will flash once,
and the indicator lights will start flashing
rapidly. After rapid flashing for 30 seconds
(standby time), the indicator lights will
then flash slowly (twice approximately ev-
ery two seconds), indicating that the sys-
tem has been armed for surveillance.
If any of the doors or the rear gate is not
fully closed, an electronic chirp sounds
five times, the turn signal lights flash five
times to alert you that the doors or the rear
gate are not properly closed. When you
close the door, the system will automati-
cally arm and doors will automatically
lock. TTo arm the system using power
door locking switches
1. Close all windows.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehi-
cle.
4. Make sure that the engine hood is
locked.
5. Close the doors and the rear gate but
leave only the driver’s door or the front
passenger’s door open. 6. Push the front side (“LOCK” side) of
the power door locking switch to set the
door locks.
7. Close the door. An electronic chirp will
sound once, the turn signal lights will flash
once, and the indicator lights will start
flashing rapidly. After rapid flashing for 30
seconds (standby time), the indicator
lights will then flash slowly (twice approxi-
mately every two seconds), indicating that
the system has been armed for surveil-
lance.
NOTE
y The system can be armed even if the
engine hood, the windows and/or
moonroofs are opened. Always make
sure that they are fully closed before
arming the system. y
The 30-second standby time can be
eliminated if you prefer. Have it per-
formed by your SUBARU dealer. y The system is in the standby mode
for a 30-second period after locking the
doors with the remote transmitter. The
security indicator light will flash at
short intervals during this period. y If any of the following actions is done
during the standby period, the system
will not switch to the surveillance state. yDoors are unlocked using the re-
mote transmitter.y Any door or the rear gate is
opened. y Ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
y The engine does not start even when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“START” position once the alarm sys-
tem has been triggered.
„ Disarming the system
Briefly press the “ ” button (for less
than two seconds) on the remote transmit-
ter. The driver’s door will unlock, an elec-
tronic chirp will sound twice, the turn sig-
nal lights will flash twice and the indicator
light will go off.
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Keys and doors 2-15
– CONTINUED –
NOTE (Models with immobiliz-
er)
If your vehicle is equipped with an im-
mobilizer, the immobilizer’s function
will cause the security indicator light to
flash (approximately once every three
seconds) even after the system is dis-
armed.
NOTE
The system can be disarmed by the fol-
lowing method, too. y Cycle the ignition switch from the
“LOCK” to the “ON” position three
times within 5 seconds. T Emergency disarming
If you cannot disarm the system using the
transmitter (i.e. the transmitter is lost, bro-
ken or the transmitter battery is too weak),
you can disarm the system without using
the transmitter.
1. Unlock the door with the key and then
open the door.
2. Insert the key into the ignition switch
and cycle it from the “LOCK” to the “ON”
position three times within 5 seconds.
„ Valet mode
When you choose the valet mode, the se-
curity system does not operate. In valet
mode, the remote transmitter is used only for locking and unlocking the doors and
rear gate and panic activation.
To enter the valet mode, change the set-
ting of your vehicle’s alarm system for de-
activation mode. (Refer to “Activating and
deactivating the alarm system” in this sec-
tion.) The security indicator light will con-
tinue to flash once every three seconds in-
dicating that the system is in the valet
mode (only vehicle with an immobilizer).
To exit valet mode, change the setting of
your vehicle’s alarm system for activation
mode. (Refer to “Activating and deactivat-
ing the alarm system” in this section.)
NOTE
If your vehicle is not equipped with an
immobilizer, the security indicator light
does not flash during the valet mode. „
Passive arming
When passive arming mode has been
programmed by the dealer, arming of the
system is automatically accomplished
without using the remote transmitter. Note
that in this mode, DOORS MUST BE
MANUALLY LOCKED. T To enter the passive mode
If you wish to program the passive arming
mode, have it done by your SUBARU dealer. T
Arming the system1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po-
sition.
1) ON
2) LOCK
In passive mode, the system will au-
tomatically activate the alarm but
WILL NOT automatically lock the
doors. In order to lock the doors you
must either lock them as indicated
in the following step 4 or with the
key once they have been closed.
Failure to lock the doors manually
will result in a higher security risk.
1
2
200816

2-16 Keys and doors
2. Turn the ignition switch from “ON” to
“LOCK” position and remove the key from
the ignition switch.
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehi-
cle.
4. Before closing the doors, lock all doors
with the inside door lock levers.
5. Close the doors. The system will auto-
matically arm after one minute.
In the passive mode, the system can also
be armed with the remote transmitter or
with the power door locking switches. If
the remote transmitter or power door lock-
ing switch is used to lock the vehicle, arm-
ing will take place immediately regardless
of whether or not the passive mode has
been selected.T
Disarming the system
To disarm the system, briefly press the
“ ” button on the transmitter.
„ Tripped sensor identification
The security indicator light flashes when
the alarm system has been triggered. Al-
so, the number of flashes indicates the lo-
cation of unauthorized intrusion or the se-
verity of impact on the vehicle.y When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the indicator light will light
for 1 second and then flash as follows: When a door or rear gate was opened:
5 times
When the ignition switch was turned to
the “ON” position: 3 times
When a strong impact or multiple im-
pacts were sensed: twice (only vehicles
with shock sensors (dealer option))
When a light impact was sensed: once
(only vehicles with shock sensors (deal-
er option))
NOTE
Any of the above indicator light flash-
ings will recur each time the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
Rearming the alarm system cancels
the flashing. „
Shock sensors (dealer op-
tion)
The shock sensors trigger the alarm sys-
tem when they sense impacts applied to
the vehicle and when any of their electric
wires is cut. The alarm system causes the
horn to sound and the turn signal lights to
flash for a short time when the sensed im-
pact is weak, but it warns of a strong im-
pact or multiple impacts by sounding the
horn and flashing the turn signal lights,
both lasting approximately 30 seconds.
If you desire, your SUBARU dealer can
connect them and set them for activation
or deactivation.
NOTE
y The shock sensors are not always
able to sense impacts caused by
breaking in, and cannot sense an im-
pact that does not cause vibration
(such as breaking the glass using a
rescue hammer). y The shock sensors may sense vibra-
tion like those shown below and trigger
the alarm system. Select the settings of
the alarm system and shock sensors
appropriately depending on where you
usually park your vehicle.
Example:
Vibration from a construction site
Vibration in a multistory parking ga-
200817

3-6 Instruments and controls
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher is used to
warn other drivers when you have to park
your vehicle under emergency conditions.
The hazard warning flasher works with the
ignition switch in any position.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher,
push the hazard warning button on the in-
strument panel. To turn off the flasher,
push the button again.
NOTE
When the hazard warning flasher is on,
the turn signals do not work.
Meters and gauges „ Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle
speed. „ Odometer/Trip meter
1) Trip meter
2) Odometer
This meter displays the odometer and two
trip meters when the ignition switch is in
the “ON” position.
NOTE
Even with the ignition switch in the
“OFF” or “LOCK” position, the odome-
ter and trip meters are displayed for 10
seconds when you press the knob. T
Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance
that the vehicle has been driven. T Double trip meter
1) A trip meter
2) B trip meter
The trip meter shows the distance that the
vehicle has been driven since you last set
it to zero.
To change the mode indication, briefly
push the knob.
Each press of the knob changes the func-
tion alternately.
To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
300117
1
2
300571
1 2
300572
A trip meter B trip meter

3-8 Instruments and controls
NOTE
This light does not go out unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3.3 Imp gal).
„Temperature gauge
1) 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 ac-
cordance with the outside temperature
and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately
until the pointer of the temperature gauge
reaches near the middle of the range. En-
gine operation is optimum with the engine
coolant at this temperature range and high
revving operation when the engine is not
warmed up enough should be avoided.
„
Outside temperature indica- tor
MT vehicles
1) U.S.-spec. models
2) Canada-spec. models
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
comes on. Engine misfires as a re-
sult of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
1
300574 If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible.
See “In case of emergency” in chap-
ter 9.
12
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