warning SUBARU FORESTER 2009 SH / 3.G Workshop Manual

2-18Keys and doors
&Shock sensors (dealer op- tion)
The shock sensors trigger the alarm
system when they sense impacts applied
to the vehicle and when any of their
electric wires are cut. The alarm system
causes the horn to sound and the turn
signal lights to flash for a short time when
the sensed impact is weak, but it warns of
a strong impact or multiple impacts by
sounding the horn and flashing the turn
signal lights, both lasting approximately 30seconds.
If you desire, your SUBARU dealer can
connect them and set them for activation
or deactivation. NOTE . The shock sensors are not always
able to sense impacts caused by break-
ing in, and cannot sense an impact that
does not cause vibration (such as
breaking the glass using a rescuehammer).. The shock sensors may sense vi-
bration as indicated in the following
examples and trigger the alarm system.
Select the settings of the alarm system
and shock sensors appropriately de-
pending on where you usually park
your vehicle. Examples:
Vibration from a construction site
Vibration in a multistory car park
Vibration from trains
. You can have the sensitivity of the
shock sensors adjusted to your pre-
ference by your SUBARU dealer. Child safety locks
Each rear door has a child safety lock that
prevents the doors from being opened
even if the inside door handle is pulled.
When the child safety lock lever is in the
lock position, the door cannot be opened
from inside regardless of the position of
the inner door handle lock lever. The door
can only be opened from the outside.
WARNING
Always turn the child safety locks to the “LOCK ”position when children
sit on the rear seat. Serious injury
could result if a child accidentally
opens the door and falls out.

Windows &Power windows
WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury
caused by entrapment, you must
do the following. . When operating the power win-
dows, be extremely careful to
prevent anyone ’s fingers, arms,
neck or head from being caught
in the window.
. Always lock the passengers ’win-
dows using the lock switch when
children are riding in the vehicle.
. Before leaving the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child
to remain in the vehicle. Failure
to follow this procedure could
result in injury to a child operat-
ing the power window.
The power windows operate only when
the ignition switch is in the “ON ”position. !
Driver ’s side switches
1) Lock switch
2) For driver ’s window (with one-touch auto
down feature)
3) For front passenger ’s window
4) For rear left window
5) For rear right window
All door windows can be controlled by the
power window switch cluster at the driver
side door. !
Operating the driver ’s window1) Open
2) Automatically open
3) Close
To open:
Push the switch down lightly and hold it.
The window will open as long as the
switch is held.
This switch also has a one-touch auto
down feature that allows the window to be
opened fully without holding the switch.
Push the switch down until it clicks and
release it, and the window will fully open.
To stop the window halfway, pull the
switch up lightly.
To close:
Pull the switch up lightly and hold it. The
window will close as long as the switch is Keys and doors
2-19
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Rear gate
The rear gate can be locked and unlocked
using either the remote keyless entry
system or the power door lockingswitches.
Refer to the“Power door locking switches ”
and “Remote keyless entry system ”sec-
tions in this chapter.
To open:
Unlock the rear gate and push the rear
gate opener button to open the rear gate.
To close:
Lower the rear gate slowly and push down
firmly until the latch engages.
The rear gate can be lowered easily if you
pull it down holding the recessed grip.
WARNING
. To prevent dangerous exhaust
gas from entering the vehicle,
always keep the rear gate closed
while driving. .
Do not attempt to shut the rear
gate while holding the recessed
grip. Also avoid closing the rear
gate by pulling on the recessed
grip from inside the cargo space.
There is a danger of your hand
being caught and injured.
CAUTION
. Do not jam a plastic bag in or
place cellophane tape on the rear
gate stays or scratch the stays
while loading or unloading cargo.
That could cause leakage of gas
from the stays, which may result
in their inability to hold the rear
gate open.
. Be careful not to hit your head or
face on the rear gate when open-
ing or closing the rear gate and
when loading or unloading car-go.
NOTE
If the rear gate cannot be unlocked due
to a discharged battery, a fault in the
door locking/unlocking system or other
causes, you can unlock it by manually
operating the rear gate lock release
lever. Keys and doors
2-21
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2-22Keys and doors
For the procedure, refer to the “Rear
gate –if the rear gate cannot be
opened ”section in chapter 9 “In case
of emergency ”. Moonroof (if equipped)
WARNING
. Never let anyone ’s hands, arms,
head or any objects protrude
from the moonroof. A person
could be seriously injured if the
vehicle stops suddenly or turns
sharply or if the vehicle is in-
volved in an accident.
To avoid serious personal injury
caused by entrapment, you must
do the following.
. Before closing the moonroof,
make sure that no one ’s hands,
arms, head or other objects will
be accidentally caught in themoonroof.
. Before leaving the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child
to remain in the vehicle. Failure
to follow this procedure could
result in injury to a child operat-
ing the moonroof. .
Never try to check the anti-en-
trapment function by deliberately
placing part of your body in themoonroof.
CAUTION
. Do not sit on the edge of the open
moonroof.
. Do not operate the moonroof if
falling snow or extremely cold
conditions have caused it to
freeze shut.
1) Open/close switch
2) Open
3) Close

Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-5
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-5
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition switch ............................................................... 3-6
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter ............................................ 3-6
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-7
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-8
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-9
Seatbelt warning light and chime ......................... 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-11
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp .................................................. 3-12
Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light ......................... 3-13
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-13
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-13
AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT vehicles).. ........... 3-14
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) .......................................... 3-14 ABS warning light
.............................................. 3-15
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-16
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-17
Hill start assist warning light (MT vehicles) .... ..... 3-17
Door open warning light .................................... 3-17
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) .... ..... 3-17
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light ................................................................ 3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light ............... 3-18
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-19
SPORT mode indicator light (AT vehicles) ..... ..... 3-20
Selector lever and gear position indicator (AT vehicles) .................................................... 3-20
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-20
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-20
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-20
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-21
Front fog light indicator light (if equipped) ..... ..... 3-21
Headlight indicator light ..................................... 3-21
Clock .................................................................. 3-21
Information display ............................................ 3-22
Outside temperature indicator .. .......................... 3-22
Average fuel consumption ................................. 3-23
Light control switch ........................................... 3-24
Headlights ......................................................... 3-24
High/low beam change (dimmer) ........................ 3-25
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-25
Daytime running light system ... .......................... 3-25
Automatic headlight beam leveler (vehicles with HID headlights) ................................................ 3-26
Instruments and controls
3

Ignition switch
WARNING
. Never turn the ignition switch to
“ LOCK ”while the vehicle is
being driven or towed because
that will lock the steering wheel,
preventing steering control. And
when the engine is turned off, it
takes a much greater effort than
usual to steer.
. Before leaving the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child
to remain in the vehicle. Failure
to follow this procedure could
result in injury to a child or
others. Children could operate
the power windows, the moon-
roof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move.
CAUTION
Do not attach a large key holder or
key case to either key. If it banged
against your knees or hands while
you are driving, it could turn the
ignition switch from the “ON ”posi- tion to the
“Acc ”or “LOCK ”posi-
tion, thereby stopping the engine.
Also, if the key is attached to a
keyholder or to a large bunch of
other keys, centrifugal force may act
on it as the vehicle moves, resulting
in unwanted turning of the ignitionswitch.
The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, Acc, ON and START. NOTE . Keep the ignition switch in the
“ LOCK ”position when the engine is
not running. . Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the ignition switch in the“ ON ”or “Acc ”position can cause the battery to go dead..
If the ignition switch will not move
from the “LOCK ”position to the “Acc ”
position, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left and right as you turn
the ignition switch. & LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the right and left
as you turn the key. ! Automatic transmission vehicles
Instruments and controls 3-3
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contains an immobilizer transponder. .The key is near or touching another
transmitter. & Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the driver ’s door opens and the key is in the
“ LOCK ”or “Acc ”position. The chime stops
when the ignition switch is turned to the“ ON ”position or the key is removed from
the ignition switch.
& Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch in
the dark, the ignition switch light illumi-
nates when driver ’s door is opened. The
light remains on for 20 seconds and turns
off after driver ’s door is closed. The light
turns off immediately if the key is turned tothe “ON ”position. 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 regard-
less of the position of the ignition switch.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher,
push the hazard warning button on the
instrument 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 NOTE
Liquid-crystal displays are used in
some of the meters and gauges on
the combination meter. You will find
their indications hard to see if you wear
polarized glasses. &
Combination meter illumina- tion
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position, the various parts of the
combination meter are illuminated in the
following sequence:
1. Warning lights, indicator lights, meter
needles, gauge needles, odometer and
trip meter back light illuminate.
2. Meter needles and gauge needles
each show MAX position.
3. Meter needles and gauge needles
each show MIN position.
4. Dials and indicators in meters and
gauges light up.
5. Regular illumination (for driving) be- gins. Instruments and controls
3-5
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3-8Instruments and controls
to protect the engine from overrev-
ving. The engine will resume run-
ning normally after the engine speed
is reduced below the red zone.
NOTE
To protect the engine while the “P ” or
“ N ” position is selected, the engine is
controlled so that the engine speed
does not become too high even if the
accelerator pedal is fully depressed.
& Fuel gauge
1) Low fuel warning light
The fuel gauge shows the approximate
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
When the ignition switch is in the “LOCK ”or
“Acc ”position, the fuel gauge shows “E ”
even if the fuel tank contains fuel.
The gauge may move slightly during
braking, turning or acceleration due to fuel
level movement in the tank.
If you press the trip knob while the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK ”or “Acc ”position,
the fuel gauge will light up and indicate the
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
If, while the fuel gauge is indicating the
amount of fuel remaining in the tank, you
(a) do not press the trip knob for 10
seconds or (b) open and close the driver ’s
door, the fuel gauge indication will turn off.
NOTE
You will see the “”sign in the fuel gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door
(lid) is located on the right side of thevehicle. !
Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light illuminates
when the tank is nearly empty [approxi-
mately 2.6 US gal (10.0 liters, 2.2 Imp
gal)]. It only operates when the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position. When this
light illuminates, fill the fuel tank immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light does not turn off unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3.3 Imp gal).
CAUTION
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
illuminates. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.

Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate momentarily and then turn off
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the“ON ”position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON ”position. The
following lights illuminate:
: Seatbelt warning light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off only
when the driver fastens the seatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off only
when the front seat passenger fastens theseatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp
: Coolant temperature high warning light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light(AT vehicles)
: Low tire pressure warning light(U.S.- spec. models)
/: ABS warning light
/: Brake system warning light
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill start assist warning light (MT vehicles)
: Door open warning light
: All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light
: SPORT mode indicator light(AT vehicles)
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
If any lights fail to illuminate, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair. &
Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver ’s and front
passenger ’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON ”
position, this device reminds the driver
and front passenger to fasten their seat-
belts by illuminating the warning lights in
the locations indicated in the following
illustration and sounding a chime.
Driver ’s warning light Instruments and controls
3-9
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3-10Instruments and controls
Front passenger ’s warning light
! Operation
If the driver and/or front passenger have/
has not yet fastened the seatbelt(s) when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position, the seatbelt warning light(s) will
flash for 6 seconds, to warn that the
seatbelt(s) is/are unfastened. If the dri-ver ’s seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will
also sound simultaneously.
NOTE . If the driver ’s and/or front passen-
ger ’s seatbelt(s) are/is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the seatbelt warning
device operates as follows according
to the vehicle speed.
.At speeds lower than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h) The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
steady illumination and flashing at
15-second intervals. The chime will
not sound. .
At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
flashing and steady illumination at
15-second intervals and the chime
will sound while the warning light(s)
is/are flashing.
. 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 the warning
operation resumes. For further details
about canceling the warning operation,
please contact your SUBARU dealer.
If there is no passenger on the front passenger ’s seat, the seatbelt warning
device for the front passenger ’s seat will
be deactivated. The front passenger ’s
occupant detection system monitors
whether or not there is a passenger on
the front passenger ’s seat. Observe the
following precautions. Failure to do so
may prevent the device from functioning
correctly or cause the device to fail. .
Do not install any accessory such as a
table or TV onto the seatback. . Do not store a heavy load in the
seatback pocket.. 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. . 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 tothe “Front seats ”section in chapter 1 in
this Owner ’s Manual.
If the seatbelt warning device for the front passenger ’s seat does not function cor-
rectly (e.g., it is activated even when the
front passenger ’s seat is empty or it is
deactivated even when the front passen-
ger has not fastened his/her seatbelt),
take the following actions. . Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than a child restraint system
and its child occupant, although we
strongly recommend that all children sit
in the rear seat properly restrained. . Ensure that there is no article left in the
seatback pocket.. Ensure that the backward-forward po-
sition and seatback of front passenger ’s