check engine light SUBARU FORESTER 2010 SH / 3.G Owners Manual

18
&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-10
Front passenger ’s seat-
belt warning light 3-10
SRS airbag system
warning light 3-11
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag ON indicator 3-12
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag OFF indicator 3-12
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp3-12
Coolant temperature low
indicator light/Coolant
temperature high warn-
ing light3-13
Charge warning light 3-14
Oil pressure warning light
3-14
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (AT models)
3-14Mark Name Page
/ABS warning light 3-16
/Brake system warning light
3-17
Door open warning light 3-18
AWD warning light
(AT models)
3-18
Hill start assist warning
light (MT models)
3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator light3-19
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol warning light/Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light3-19
Turn signal indicator lights
3-21
High beam indicator light 3-21
Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (models with HID headlights)3-18Mark Name Page
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
3-21
Security indicator light 3-20
Headlight indicator light 3-21
Cruise control indicator light3-21
Cruise control set indi-
cator light
3-21
Low fuel warning light 3-18
Low tire pressure warn-
ing light
(U.S.-spec. models)3-15
SPORT mode indicator
light (AT models)
3-20

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 ......................................................... 3-8
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-8
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-9
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-11
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp .................................................. 3-12
Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light ......................... 3-13
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-14
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-14
AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT models) ... ........... 3-14
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) .......................................... 3-15 ABS warning light
.............................................. 3-16
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-17
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-18
Hill start assist warning light (MT models) ..... ..... 3-18
Door open warning light .................................... 3-18
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT models) ..... ..... 3-18
Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light (models with HID headlights).. .......................... 3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light ................................................................ 3-19
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light ............... 3-19
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-20
SPORT mode indicator light (AT models) ............ 3-20
Select lever and gear position indicator (AT models) ..................................................... 3-21
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-21
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-21
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-21
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-21
Front fog light indicator light (if equipped) ..... ..... 3-21
Headlight indicator light ..................................... 3-21
Clock .................................................................. 3-22
Information display ............................................ 3-22
Outside temperature indicator .. .......................... 3-23
Average fuel consumption ................................. 3-24
To turn off fuel consumption indicator display ............................................................ 3-24
Light control switch ........................................... 3-25
Headlights ......................................................... 3-25
High/low beam change (dimmer) ........................ 3-26
Instruments and controls
3

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 theseatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: 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 models)
: 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 models)
: Door open warning light
: AWD warning light(AT models)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light
: SPORT mode indicator light(AT models)
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
: Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light (models with HID head- Instruments and controls
3-9
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3-12Instruments and controls
&Front passenger ’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indica- tors
ON /: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
indicator
/: 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 center portion of the dash-board.
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators turn
off for 2 seconds. After that, one of the indicators illuminates depending on the
status of the front passenger
’s SRS frontal
airbag determined by the SUBARU ad-
vanced frontal airbag system monitoring.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF
indicator will remain off.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger ’sfrontal
airbag ON indicator will remain off while
the OFF indicator will illuminate.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON ”
position, if both the ON and OFF indica-
tors remain illuminated or off simulta-
neously even after the system check
period, the system is faulty. Contact your
SUBARU dealer immediately for an in-spection.
& CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator lamp
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE light illumi-
nates while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked/repaired by
your SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible. Continued vehicle opera-
tion without having the emission control system checked and re-
paired as necessary could cause
serious damage, which may not be
covered by your vehicle
’s warranty.
If this light illuminates steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential
problem somewhere in the emission con-
trol system. ! If the light illuminates steadily
If the light illuminates steadily while driving
or does not turn off after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light also illuminates 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 does
not turn off, 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 been de-
tected which may damage the emission
control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do thefollowing. . Reduce vehicle speed.
. Avoid hard acceleration.
. Avoid steep uphill grades.
. Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may
stop blinking and illuminate steadily after
several driving trips. You should have your
vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. &
Coolant temperature
low indicator light/Cool-
ant temperature high
warning light
CAUTION
. After turning the ignition switch
to the “ON ”position, if this
indicator light/warning light be-
haves under any of the following
conditions, the electrical system
may be malfunctioning. Contact
your SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately for an inspection. – It remains blinking in RED.
– It remains illuminated in RED
for more than 2 seconds.
– It remains blinking in RED and
BLUE alternately.
. While driving, if this indicator
light/warning light behaves under
any of the following conditions,
take the specified appropriate
measure listed below. – Blinking or illuminated in
RED:
Safely stop the vehicle as
soon as possible, and refer
to the emergency steps for the
engine overheating. After- ward, have the system
checked by your nearest
SUBARU dealer. Refer to
“En-
gine overheating ”F 9-12.
– Blinking in RED and BLUE
alternately:
The electrical system may be
malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer for an inspec-tion.
This coolant temperature low indicator
light/coolant temperature high warning
light has the following three functions. . Illumination in BLUEindicates insuffi-
cient warming up of the engine. Blinking in REDindicates that the
engine is close to overheating. Illumination in REDindicates overheat-
ing condition of the engine
For the system check, this indicator light/
warning light illuminates in REDfor
approximately 2 seconds when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON ”position.
After that, this indicator light/warning light
changes to BLUEand maintains illumina-
tion in BLUE. This BLUE illuminated light
turns off when the engine is warmed up
sufficiently.
If the engine coolant temperature in- Instruments and controls
3-13
– CONTINUED –

3-14Instruments and controls
creases over the specified range, the
indicator light/warning light blinks inRED. At this time, the engine is close to
overheating.
If the engine coolant temperature in-
creases further, the indicator light/warning
light illuminates in REDcontinuously. At
this time, the engine may be overheating.
When the indicator light/warning light
blinks in REDor illuminates in RED, safely
stop the vehicle as soon as possible, and
refer to the emergency steps for the
engine overheating. Refer to “Engine
overheating ”F 9-12. Afterward, have the
system checked by your nearest
SUBARU dealer.
Also, if the indicator light/warning light
often blinks in RED, the electrical system
may be malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
NOTE
If the engine is restarted after a certain
driving condition, this indicator light/
warning light may illuminate in RED.
However, this is not a malfunction if the
indicator light/warning light turns off
after a short time. &
Charge warning light
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly.
If the light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator 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 immedi-
ately. &Oil pressure warning light
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off 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.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
& AT OIL TEMP warning
light (AT models)
The AT oil temperature warning light “AT
OIL TEMP ”illuminates when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON ”position and
turns off after the engine has started.
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light illuminates while driving, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off. ! Automatic transmission control
system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it
may indicate that the automatic transmis-
sion control system is not working prop-
erly. Contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er for service immediately.

3-16Instruments and controls
the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have
a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire
as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/transmitter
being transferred, the Low tire pres-
sure warning light will illuminate
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute. This indicates
the TPMS is unable to monitor all
four road wheels. Contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible
for tire and sensor replacement and/
or system resetting. If the light
illuminates steadily after blinking
for approximately one minute,
promptly contact a SUBARU dealer
to have the system inspected.
CAUTION
The tire pressure monitoring system
is NOT a substitute for manually
checking tire pressure. The tire
pressure should be checked peri-
odically (at least monthly) using a
tire gauge. After any change to tire
pressure(s), the tire pressure mon-
itoring system will not re-check tire
inflation pressures until the vehicle
is first driven more than 20 mph (32 km/h). After adjusting the tire pres-
sures, increase the vehicle speed to
at least 20 mph (32 km/h) to start the
TPMS re-checking of the tire infla-
tion pressures. If the tire pressures
are now above the severe low
pressure threshold, the low tire
pressure warning light should turn
off a few minutes later. Therefore, be
sure to install the specified size for
the front and rear tires.
& ABS warning light
The ABS warning light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position and turns off after approximately 2seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system
is working properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as
follows, the ABS system may not
work properly.
When the warning light is on, the
ABS function shuts down; however,
the conventional brake system con-
tinues to operate normally. . The warning light does not illu-
minate when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON ”position.
. The warning light illuminates
when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ”position, but
it does not turn off even when the
vehicle speed exceeds approxi-
mately 8 mph (12 km/h).
. The warning light illuminates dur-
ing driving.
If any of these conditions occur,
have the ABS system repaired at
the first available opportunity by
your SUBARU dealer.
With a vehicle equipped with an EBD
system, the ABS warning light illuminates
together with the brake system warning
light if the EBD system becomes faulty.
For further details of the EBD system fault
warning, refer to “Brake system warning
light ”F 3-17.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following, the ABS
system may be considered normal. . The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.. The warning light remains on after
the engine has been started, but it
turns off when the vehicle speed

reaches approximately 8 mph (12 km/h)..The warning light illuminates during
driving, but it turns off immediately and
remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery
voltage such as when the engine is jump
started, the ABS warning light may illumi-
nate. This is due to the low battery voltage
and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged,
the light will turn off. & Brake system warning light
WARNING
. Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous.
This indicates your brake system
may not be working properly. If
the light remains on, have the
brakes inspected by a SUBARU
dealer immediately.
. If at all in doubt about whether
the brakes are operating prop-
erly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for re-
pair. This light has the following three functions. !
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates with the parking
brake applied while the ignition switch is
in the “ON ”position. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released. ! Brake fluid level warning
This light illuminates when the brake fluid
level has dropped to near the “MIN ”level
of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition
switch in the “ON ”position and with the
parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should
illuminate while driving (with the parking
brake fully released and with the ignition
switch positioned in “ON ”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn
brake pads. If this occurs, immediately
stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place
and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid
level is below the “MIN ”mark in the
reservoir, do not drive the vehicle. Have
the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU
dealer for repair. ! Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) system warning
The brake system warning light also
illuminates if a malfunction occurs in the
EBD system. In that event, it illuminates
together with the ABS warning light. The EBD system may be malfunctioning if
the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously
during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conven-
tional braking system will still function.
However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are
applied harder than usual and the vehi-cle
’s motion may therefore become some-
what harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps.
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe,
flat place.
2. Shut down the engine, apply the
parking brake and then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both
warning lights turn off, the EBD system
may be faulty. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the
system inspected.
4. If both warning lights illuminate again
and stay illuminated after the engine has
been restarted, shut down the engine
again, apply the parking brake, and check
the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “ MIN ”mark, the EBD system may be
faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest
SUBARU dealer and have the system Instruments and controls
3-17
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3-18Instruments and controls
inspected.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN ”mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle.
Instead, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
& 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, or 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 3.7 US
gal (14 liters, 3.1 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. &
Hill start assist warning
light (MT models)
When the ignition switch is in the “ON ”
position, the Hill start assist warning light
illuminates and turns off after approxi-
mately 2 seconds. While the engine is
rotating, if there are any malfunctions, the
light will illuminate.
WARNING
When the Hill start assist system
light illuminates, have the vehicle
inspected at an authorized SUBARU
dealer.
& Door open warning light
The door open warning light illuminates if
any door or the rear gate is not fullyclosed.
Always make sure this light is out before
you start to drive. &All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (AT models)
The All-Wheel Drive warning light illumi-
nates when the ignition switch is turned tothe “ON ”position and turns off after the engine has started.
This light illuminates when All-Wheel
Drive is disengaged and the drive me-
chanism is switched to Front Wheel Drive
for maintenance or similar purposes.
It flashes if the vehicle is driven with tires
of differing diameters fitted on the wheels
or with an excessively low air pressure in
any of the tires.
CAUTION
Continuing to drive with the AWD
warning light flashing can damage
the powertrain. If the AWD warning
light starts to flash, promptly park in
a safe place and check whether the
tires have differing diameters and
whether any of the tires has an
excessively low inflation pressure.
& Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (models with HID headlights)
The automatic headlight beam leveler
warning light illuminates when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON ”position and
turns off after approximately 3 seconds.
This light illuminates when the automatic
headlight beam leveler does not operate

normally.
If this light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off approximately 3 seconds after
turning the ignition switch to the“ON ”
position, have your vehicle inspected at
your SUBARU dealer. & Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light
This light illuminates when the ignition
switch is ON and turns off approximately 2
seconds later.
It blinks when the skid suppression func-
tion is activated. It illuminates when only
the traction control function is operating.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably malfunctioning under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately. .The light does not illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position.. The light does not turn off even after a
period of approximately 2 seconds after
the ignition switch has been turned to the“ ON ”position. &
Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol OFF indicator light
This warning light has both the function of
indicating malfunctions in the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system and the function
of indicating that the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system has been deactivated.
It illuminates in the event of a malfunction
in the system and is on when the system
is not operating.
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position and turns off several seconds
after the engine has started. It indicates
that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
is in normal operation. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably inoperative under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately. . The warning light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position.
. The warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is running. .
If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself becomes
faulty, the warning light only illuminates. At
this time, the ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys-
tem) remains fully operational. . The warning light illuminates when the
electronic control system of the ABS/
Vehicle Dynamics Control system mal-functions.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system
provides its ABS control through the
electrical circuit of the ABS system.
Accordingly, if the ABS is inoperative, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system be-
comes unable to provide ABS control. As
a result, the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system also becomes inoperative, caus-
ing the warning light to illuminate. Though
both the Vehicle Dynamics Control and
ABS systems are inoperative in this case,
the ordinary functions of the brake system
are still available. You will be safe while
driving with this condition, but have your
vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described below, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system may be considerednormal. . The warning light illuminates right Instruments and controls
3-19
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