warning SUBARU FORESTER 2011 SH / 3.G Manual Online

4-16Climate control
for fast cooling with the air conditioner or
when driving on a dusty road. The
indicator light will illuminate.
OFF position (outside air): Outside air is
drawn into the passenger compartment.
Push the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position when the interior has cooled
to a comfortable temperature and the road
is no longer dusty. The indicator light will
turn off. AUTO: Turn the fan speed control dial and
airflow control dial to the AUTO position.
The air inlet control is then adjusted
automatically in accordance with the air
temperature inside and outside the pas-
senger compartment, the intensity of sun-
light, and other factors. Pressing the air
inlet selection button cancels the “AUTO ”
mode. To return to “AUTO ”mode, turn the
fan speed control dial or airflow control
dial to a position other than the AUTO
position. Then turn to “AUTO ”mode.
SUBARU recommends using the AUTOposition.
WARNING
Continued operation in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows. Switch
to the OFF position as soon as the
outside dusty condition clears. !
Air conditioner button
The button positions and their functions
are as follows. ON: The air conditioner operates while the
fan is running.
Push the button to select this position. The
indicator light will illuminate. OFF: The air conditioner does not oper-
ate.
Push the button again to select this
position. The indicator light will turn off. AUTO: Turn the fan speed control dial and
airflow control dial to the AUTO position.
The air conditioner compressor operation
is then adjusted automatically in accor-
dance with the air temperature inside and
outside the passenger compartment, the
intensity of sunlight, and other factors.
Pressing the button cancels the “AUTO ”mode. To return to
“AUTO ”mode, turn the
fan speed control dial or airflow control
dial to a position other than the AUTO
position. Then turn to “AUTO ”mode.
SUBARU recommends using the AUTOposition.
NOTE
The air conditioner ’s compressor does
not operate with an outside tempera-
ture of 32 8F(0 8C) or lower.

5-34Audio
Type D audio:
Model Firmware version
iPod
®
5G 1.3
classic 2.0.4
nano 1.3.1
nano 2G 1.1.3
nano 3G 1.1.3
nano 4G 1.0.4
touch 3.1.3
touch 2G 3.1.3
iPhone
®1G 3.1.3
3G 3.1.3
3G S 3.1.3
CAUTION
Do not connect an iPod
®other than
the previously stated models. Doing
so may result in a malfunction or,
depending on conditions, cause afire.
NOTE . iPod
®is a registered trademark of
Apple Inc. . You are only permitted to personally
copy and play copyright-free material or material that is legally permitted to
be copied and played by using aniPod
®and iTunes. Copyright infringe-
ment is prohibited by law.. To check the firmware version of an
iPod
®, connect it to a computer and
check the device manager. For further
information, see the User ’s Guide that
comes with the iPod
®
. To update the firmware version of an
iPod®, visit the Apple Inc. website.
. Depending on the model and firm-
ware version of an iPod
®, it may not
work properly or not operate at all. & Connecting USB storage de-
vice / iPod
®
WARNING
Do not operate an iPod
®while
driving; it may distract your atten-
tion from driving and can lead to anaccident.
CAUTION
. If the data stored in an iPod
®is
deleted while it is connected to
the in-vehicle system, the data
cannot be recovered. .
Do not store an iPod
®in the
vehicle. If an iPod®is left in the
vehicle for a long period of time,
it may be deformed, discolored
or damaged by high temperature.
NOTE . Even if a USB storage device or
iPod
®is connected, it cannot be played
unless thebutton is pressed.
. A movie cannot be played while an
iPod
®is connected.
. While an iPod®is connected, the
iPod®cannot be operated using the
click wheel on the iPod®(except some
models). . When using an iPod
®by connecting
it to in-vehicle equipment, the order of
the list items displayed on the in-
vehicle equipment may be different
from that on the iPod
®. However, this
does not indicate a malfunction.. An iPod
®battery that is connected
to in-vehicle equipment will be charged
when the ignition switch is in the “ON ”
or “Acc ”position. However, activation
of the iPod
®may be delayed if the
battery charge of the iPod®is low.
. If an iPod®does not activate after
operation, disconnect the connection
cable from the iPod
®and reset it. For
the resetting procedure, see the User ’s

5-44Audio
volume may be different from those of
cell phones currently used. .When the ignition switch is turned to
the “LOCK ”position during a call, the
call may be disconnected or continued
on the cell phone depending on the
type of cell phone that is used. Note
that operation of the cell phone may be
necessary if the call is continued on the
cell phone. . Do not speak at the same time as the
other party during a call. If you and the
party speak at the same time, it may be
difficult for the other party to hear your
voice and vice versa. This is normal. . The receiver sound volume should
be set as low as possible. Otherwise,
the party you are calling may notice an
undesirable echo sound. . Speak clearly and loudly.
. Your voice may be difficult to be
heard by the party under the following conditions.
–Driving on a rough road.
– Driving at a high speed.
– Driving with a window open.
– When air from the ventilator
blows directly towards the micro-phone. – When the sound coming from the
ventilator is loud. –
When the cell phone is too close
to the microphone.
. The sound quality may degrade due
to the influence of the cell phone that is
connected to the system or the circum-
stances of the Bluetooth network. . When another Bluetooth
®device is
simultaneously connected, noise may
be heard in the voice coming from the
hands-free phone. ! Corresponding profiles for the cell phone
. HFP (Hands Free Profile): Ver. 1.0
. OPP (Object Push Profile): Ver. 1.1
& Certification for the Hands-
free system
CAUTION
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party re-
sponsible for compliance could void
the user ’s authority to operate the
equipment.
NOTE
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules and RSS-Gen of IC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this de-
vice may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesiredoperation. NOTE
This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment
may cause harmful interference to
radio communications, if it is not
installed and used in accordance with
the instructions. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful inter-
ference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the inter-
ference by one or more of the followingmeasures. .
Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna. . Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver. .Connect the equipment into an out-
let on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.. Consult the dealer or an experi-
enced radio/TV technician for help.. Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void theuser ’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.. This equipment complies with FCC/
IC radiation exposure limits set forth
for an uncontrolled equipment and
meets the FCC radio frequency (RF)
Exposure Guidelines in Supplement C
to OET65 and RSS-102 of the IC radio
frequency (RF) Exposure rules. This
equipment has very low levels of RF
energy that it deemed to comply with-
out maximum permissive exposure
evaluation (MPE). But it is desirable
that it should be installed and operated
keeping the radiator at least 20 cm or
more away from person ’s body (ex-
cluding extremities: hands, wrists, feet
and ankles).. This transmitter must not be co-
located or operated in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmitter. &
Safety precautions
WARNING
. For safety reasons, avoid operat-
ing the cell phone while driving.
. Do not make a phone call while
driving. When you have an in-
coming call, stop the vehicle in a
safe location before taking the
incoming phone call. When you
have to absolutely take a phone
call, tell the caller “I’ll call you
back ”. And then call the caller
back after stopping the vehicle in
a safe location.
CAUTION
. Do not leave the cell phone in the
vehicle. The temperature in the
vehicle may become extremely
high and cause a malfunction of
the cell phone.
. When using the cell phone, be
careful not to get it close to the
in-vehicle equipment. Getting it
too close to the in-vehicle equip-
ment may result in deterioration
in tone quality or a poor connect-
ing condition. .
In the frequency band used by
this equipment, along with indus-
trial, scientific and medical
equipment such as a microwave
oven, radio stations (a license is
required) to be used by the
production line in the factory to
identify movable bodies, specific
small power radio stations (a
license is not required) and ama-
teur radio stations (a license is
required) are being operated.
(These three types of radio sta-
tions are hereinafter referred toas “other radio stations. ”) Before
using this equipment, be sure to
check to see if “other radio
stations ”are being operated in
the vicinity. If there is detrimental
radio interference from this
equipment to “other radio sta-
tions, ”move the equipment to
another location as soon as
possible to avoid radio interfer-
ence. The frequency band used
by this equipment is in the 2.4
GHz zone. The FH-SS modulation
is employed as a modulation
method. The expected inflicting
interference distance is less than
10 m (33 ft). This equipment uses
a full band and can avoid a band Audio
5-45
– CONTINUED –

To use the cigarette lighter, push in the
knob and wait a few moments. It will
automatically spring up when ready foruse.
WARNING
To avoid being burned, never grasp
the lighter by the end with the
heating element. Doing so could
result in injury and could also
damage the heating element.
CAUTION
. Do not hold the lighter pushed in,
because it will overheat.
. Do not use a non-genuine cigar-
ette lighter plug in the socket.
Doing so may cause a short-
circuit and overheating, resulting
in a fire.
. If the socket is ever used for a
plug-in accessory such as a cell
phone, that may damage the
portion of the socket ’s internal
mechanism that causes a cigar-
ette lighter plug to “pop out ”
after its lighter element is heated.
Therefore, do not place a cigar-
ette lighter plug in a socket that
has been used, even once, to power a plug-in accessory. Doing
so may cause the plug to stick
and overheat, creating a potential
fire hazard.
Ashtray (if equipped)
CAUTION
. Do not use ashtrays as waste
receptacles or leave a lighted
cigarette in an ashtray. This
could cause a fire.
. Always extinguish matches and
cigarettes before putting them
into the ashtray, and then close
the ashtray securely. If you keep
the ashtray open, the fire on the
cigarette tip may spread to an-
other cigarette butt and start afire.
. Do not put flammable material in
the ashtray.
. Do not leave a lot of cigarette
butts in the ashtray. Interior equipment
6-11
– CONTINUED –

6-14Interior equipment
Install the front cover behind the rear seatback.
WARNING
Do not place anything on the ex-
tended cover. Putting excessive
weight on the extended cover can
break it and an object on the cover
could tumble forward in the event of
a sudden stop or collision. This
could cause serious injury.
CAUTION
. Be careful not to scratch the rear
gate stays while extending and
rewinding the cover. Scratches
on the stays could cause leakage of gas from the stays, which may
result in their inability to hold the
rear gate open.
. If the vehicle is equipped with a
reclining rear seatback feature,
when reclining the rear seatback,
move the front cover backward
so that the cover is not damaged. &
To remove the cover
1. Rewind the cover.
2. Push the switch that is next to the right
end of the cover housing.
3. Take it off the retainer.

Rear view camera (if equipped)
A rear view camera is attached to the rear
gate. When the ignition switch is“ON ”and
the shift lever (MT models) or select lever
(AT models) is set to “R ”, the rear view
camera automatically displays the rear
view image from the vehicle on the
navigation monitor.
WARNING
. Since the rear view camera uses
a wide-angle lens, the image on
the monitor is different from the
actual view in terms of distance.
. Since the range of the image on
the monitor is limited, you should always check the rear view and
the surrounding area with your
eyes and mirrors, and move
backward at a slow speed. Mov-
ing backward only by checking
the monitor could cause an acci-dent.
. Do not disassemble or modify the
camera, switch or wiring. If
smoke comes out or you smell
a strange odor, stop using the
rear view camera immediately.
Contact your SUBARU dealer
for an inspection. Continued use
may result in accident, fire or
electric shock.
CAUTION
. If your vehicle is washed with a
high-pressure washer, do not
allow water to contact the camera
directly. Entry of water in the
camera lens may result in con-
densation, malfunction, fire or
electric shock.
. Since the camera is a precision
device, do not subject it to strong
impacts. Otherwise, malfunction,
fire or electric shock may occur.
. If mud or snow sticks to or is frozen on the camera, you must
be very careful removing it.
Otherwise, damage done to the
camera may cause a fire or
electric shock. Pour water or
lukewarm water over the camera
to remove mud and ice, and wipe
it with a soft, dry cloth.
. Do not put a flame close to the
camera or wiring. Otherwise, da-
mage or fire may occur.
. When replacing the fuse, be sure
to use a fuse with the specified
rating. Use of a fuse with a
different rating may result in amalfunction.
. If the rear view camera is used for
a long time while the engine is
not operated, the battery may
become completely discharged.
NOTE . Do not wipe the camera with alcohol,
benzine or paint thinner. Otherwise,
discoloration may occur. To remove
contamination, wipe the camera with a
cloth moistened with a diluted neutral
detergent and then wipe it with a soft,
dry cloth.. When waxing the vehicle, be careful
not to apply the wax to the camera. If it Interior equipment
6-17
– CONTINUED –

Fuel...................................................................... 7-2
Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-3
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-6
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-7
Starting the engine .............................................. 7-7
MT models .......................................................... 7-7
AT models ........................................................... 7-8
Stopping the engine ............................................ 7-9
Remote engine start system (dealer option) ..... 7-9
Starting your vehicle .......................................... 7-10
Remote start safety features ............................... 7-10
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-10
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-10
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ............................................................. 7-11
Service mode ..................................................... 7-11
Remote transmitter programming and programmable feature option ............................ 7-11
System maintenance .......................................... 7-12
Manual transmission .......................................... 7-13
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-14
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-14
Automatic transmission ..................................... 7-15
Select lever ........................................................ 7-16
Shift lock function .............................................. 7-17
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-19
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-20 SPORT mode
..................................................... 7-20
Power steering ................................................... 7-21
Braking ............................................................... 7-22
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-22
Brake system .................................................... 7-22
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-23
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... 7-23
ABS system self-check ...................................... 7-23
ABS warning light .............................................. 7-23
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ............................................................. 7-24
Steps to take if EBD system malfunctions ..... ..... 7-24
Vehicle Dynamics Control system .................... 7-25
Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor..... ..... 7-26
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch ................ 7-27
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models). ........................................ 7-28
Parking your vehicle ......................................... 7-29
Parking brake .................................................... 7-29
Parking tips ....................................................... 7-30
Hill start assist system (MT models) ................ 7-31
Hill start assist warning light .............................. 7-32
Cruise control .................................................... 7-32
To set cruise control .......................................... 7-33
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ............. 7-34
To turn off the cruise control .............................. 7-34
To change the cruising speed .. .......................... 7-35
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 7-36
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 7-36
Starting and operating
7

7-2Starting and operating
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause engine damage.
& Fuel requirements
! Non-turbo models
The engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of 87 AKI (90 RON) or higher .
! Turbo models
The engine is designed to operate usingpremium unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 91 AKI (95 RON) or
higher . If premium unleaded gasoline is
not available, regular unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON)
or higher may be temporarily used. For
optimum engine performance and drive-
ability, it is required that you use premium
grade unleaded gasoline. NOTE
Be sure to use premium unleaded
gasoline of 91 AKI (95 RON) or higher
for turbo engine models. If other gaso- line (lower than 91 AKI (95 RON)) is
used, knocking, reduced output and
poor accelerator response will result. !
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane
rating can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly when you drive
up a hill or when you accelerate. Contact
your SUBARU dealer if you use a fuel with
the specified octane rating and your
vehicle knocks heavily or persistently. ! Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy. ! Gasoline for California-certified LEV
If your vehicle was certified to California ’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle
’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer forservice. ! MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is
determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not
be covered by your warranty.

7-4Starting and operating
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid
release lever up. The lever is on the floor
at the left of the driver ’s seat.
WARNING
Before opening the fuel filler cap,
first touch the vehicle body or a
metal portion of the fuel pump or
similar object to discharge any
static electricity that may be present
on your body. If your body is carry-
ing an electrostatic charge, there is
a possibility that an electric spark
could ignite the fuel, which could
burn you. To avoid acquiring a new
static electric charge, do not get
back into the vehicle while refueling
is in progress.
1) Open
2) Close
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it
slowly counterclockwise.
WARNING
. Gasoline vapor is highly flam-
mable. Before refueling, always
first stop the engine and close all
vehicle doors and windows.
Make sure that there are no
lighted cigarettes, open flames
or electrical sparks in the adja-
cent area. Only handle fuel out-
doors. Quickly wipe up any
spilled fuel. .
When opening the cap, grasp it
firmly and turn it slowly to the
left. Do not remove the cap
quickly. Fuel may be under pres-
sure and spray out of the fuel
filler neck, especially in hot
weather. If you hear a hissing
sound while you are removing
the cap, wait for the sound to
stop and then slowly open the
cap to prevent fuel from spraying
out and creating a fire hazard.
3. Hook the cord that is attached to the
fuel filler cap onto the hook inside the fuel
filler lid.