warning light SUBARU FORESTER 2011 SH / 3.G Owners Manual

&Abbreviation list
You will find several abbreviations in this
manual. The meanings of the abbrevia-
tions are shown in the following list.
Abbreviation Meaning
A/C Air conditioner A/ELR Automatic/Emergency locking retractor
ABS Anti-lock brake system
AKI Anti knock index
ALR Automatic locking retractor
AT Automatic transmission
ATF Automatic transmission fluid
AWD All-wheel drive
DRL Daytime running light EBD Electronic brake force distri- bution
ELR Emergency locking retractor
FWD Front-wheel drive
GAW Gross axle weight
GAWR Gross axle weight rating
GVW Gross vehicle weight
GVWR Gross vehicle weight rating
HID High intensity discharge
INT Intermittent Abbreviation Meaning
LATCH Lower anchors and tethers for
children
LED Light emitting diode
LSD Limited slip differential
MIL Malfunction indicator lamp MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl man-
ganese tricarbonyl
MT Manual transmission
OBD On-board diagnostics
RON Research octane number SRS Supplemental restraint sys- tem
TIN Tire identification number TPMS Tire pressure monitoring sys- tem
VDC Vehicle dynamics control Vehicle symbols
There are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle.
For warning and indicator lights, refer to “
Warning and indicator lights ”F 21.
Mark Name
WARNING
CAUTION
Power door lock
Power door unlock
Power window with automatic
open (all models) and close (if
equipped) function
Passengers ’windows lock
and unlock
Fuel
Front fog lights 3
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4
Mark Name
Hazard warning flasher
Engine hood
Seat heater
Child restraint top tether an- chorages
Child restraint lower an- chorages
Horn
Wiper intermittent
Windshield washer
Windshield wiper mist (for
single wipe)
Rear window wiper
Rear window washerMark Name
Lights
Tail lights, license plate light
and instrument panel illumi- nation
Headlights
Turn signal
Illumination brightness
Fan speed
Instrument panel outlets
Instrument panel outlets and
foot outlets
Foot outlets
Windshield defroster and foot outlets
Windshield defrosterMark Name
Rear window defogger/Out-
side mirror defogger
Air recirculation
Engine oil
Washer
Door lock (Transmitter)
Door unlock (Transmitter)
Rear gate (Transmitter)

6
The SRS airbag deploys with
considerable speed and force
and can injure or even kill chil-
dren, especially if they are 12
years of age and under and are
not restrained or improperly re-
strained. Because children are
lighter and weaker than adults,
their risk of being injured from
deployment is greater.
. NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD
FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE
FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO
THE CHILD BY PLACING THECHILD ’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO
THE SRS AIRBAG.
. 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. Refer to “Child
safety locks ”F 2-20.
. Always lock the passenger ’s win-
dows using the lock switch when
children are riding in the vehicle.
Failure to follow this procedure
could result in injury to a child
operating the power window. Re-
fer to “Windows ”F 2-20. .
Never leave unattended children
in the vehicle. They could acci-
dentally injure themselves or
others through inadvertent op-
eration of the vehicle. Also, on
hot or sunny days, temperature
in a closed vehicle could quickly
become high enough to cause
severe or possibly fatal injuries
to them.
For instructions and precautions, carefully
read the following sections. . For the seatbelt system, refer to “Seat-
belts ”F 1-12.
. For the child restraint system, refer to
“ Child restraint systems ”F 1-22.
. For the SRS airbag system, refer to
“ *SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag) ”F 1-33.
& Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
. Never inhale engine exhaust gas.
Engine exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide, a colorless
and odorless gas which is dan-
gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.
. Always properly maintain the en- gine exhaust system to prevent
engine exhaust gas from enter-
ing the vehicle.
. Never run the engine in a closed
space, such as a garage, except
for the brief time needed to drive
the vehicle in or out of it.
. Avoid remaining in a parked
vehicle for a lengthy time while
the engine is running. If that is
unavoidable, then use the venti-
lation fan to force fresh air into
the vehicle.
. Always keep the front ventilator
inlet grille free from snow, leaves
or other obstructions to ensure
that the ventilation system al-
ways works properly.
. If at any time you suspect that
exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
. Keep the rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.

16 &Instrument panel
1) Door locks (page 2-4)
2) Outside mirror switch (page 3-44)
3) Illumination brightness control
(page 3-32)
4) Light control lever (page 3-29)
5) Combination meter (page 3-6)
6) Wiper control lever (page 3-33)
7) Hazard warning flasher switch (page 3-5)
8) Audio (page 5-1)
9) Shift lever (MT) (page 7-13)/ Select lever (AT) (page 7-15)
10) Climate control (page 4-1)
11) Cruise control (page 7-32)
12) Horn (page 3-47)
13) SRS airbag (page 1-33)
14) Tilt/telescopic steering (page 3-47)
15) Hands-free switches (page 5-43)
16) Audio control buttons (page 5-38)
17) Fuse box (page 11-45)
18) Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch (page 7-27)
19) Hood lock release knob (page 11-5)
20) Power windows (page 2-20)

!Type B (U.S.-spec. models)1) Tachometer (page 3-10)
2) Speedometer (page 3-8)
3) Fuel gauge (page 3-10)
4) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
5) Odometer/Trip meter (page 3-8)
6) Select lever and gear position indicator (AT models) (page 3-24)
7) Coolant temperature low indicator light/ Coolant temperature high warning light
(page 3-16) 19
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20 !Type B (except U.S.-spec. models)
1) Tachometer (page 3-10)
2) Speedometer (page 3-8)
3) Fuel gauge (page 3-10)
4) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
5) Odometer/Trip meter (page 3-8)
6) Select lever and gear position indicator (AT models) (page 3-24)
7) Coolant temperature low indicator light/ Coolant temperature high warning light
(page 3-16)

&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-13
Front passenger ’s seat-
belt warning light 3-13
SRS airbag system
warning light3-15
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag ON indicator 3-15
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag OFF indicator 3-15
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp3-16
Coolant temperature low
indicator light (if
equipped)/Coolant tem-
perature high warning
light (if equipped)3-16
Charge warning light 3-17
Oil pressure warning light
3-17
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (AT models)3-18Mark Name Page
/ABS warning light 3-19
/Brake system warning light
3-20
Door open warning light 3-21
AWD warning light
(AT models)
3-21
Hill start assist warning
light (MT models)
3-21
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol warning light/Vehicle
Dynamics Control op-
eration indicator light3-22
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol OFF indicator light
3-23
Turn signal indicator lights
3-25
High beam indicator light 3-25
Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (models with HID headlights)3-22Mark Name Page
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
3-25
Security indicator light 3-23
Headlight indicator light 3-25
Cruise control indicator light3-25
Cruise control set indi-
cator light
3-25
Low fuel warning light 3-21
Low tire pressure warn-
ing light
(U.S.-spec. models)3-18
SPORT mode indicator
light (AT models)
3-2421

22
Function settings
A SUBARU dealer can change the settings of the functions shown in the following table to meet your personal requirements. Contact
the nearest SUBARU dealer for details. If your vehicle is equipped with the genuine SUBARU navigation system, the settings for some
of these functions can be changed using the navigation monitor. For details, please refer to the Owner’s Manual supplement for the
navigation system.
Item Function Possible settings Default setting Page
Alarm system Alarm system Operation/Non-operation Operation 2-15 Monitoring start delay time (after closure
of doors) 0 second/30 seconds 30 seconds 2-17
Impact sensor operation (only models
with shock sensors [dealer option]) Operation/Non-operation Non-operation 2-19
Passive arming Operation/Non-operation Non-operation 2-18
Dome light/map lights illumination ON/OFF OFF 2-15
Remote keyless entry sys- tem Hazard warning flasher Operation/Non-operation Operation 2-7
Audible signal Operation/Non-operation Operation 2-10
Key lock-in prevention Key lock-in prevention Operation/Non-operation Operation 2-7
Remote engine start system
(dealer option) Horn chirp confirmation ON/OFF ON 7-11
Defogger and deicer system
for models with the automatic
climate control system Rear window defogger, outside mirror
defogger and windshield wiper deicer
Operation for 15 minutes/
Continuous operationOperation for 15 minutes 3-45
Map light/Dome light Operation of map light/dome light OFF delay timer OFF/Short/Normal/Long Long 6-2/
6-3
Battery drainage prevention function Battery drainage prevention function* Operation/Non-operation Operation 2-5
Seatbelt warning Sounds a chime while driving Operation/Non-operation Operation 3-13
*: The setting can only be changed at a SUBARU dealer.

Front seats........................................................... 1-2
Manual seat ........................................................ 1-3
Power seat (driver ’s seat –if equipped) ... ............ 1-4
Head restraint adjustment .................................... 1-5
Active head restraint ........................................... 1-6
Seat heater (if equipped) .................................... 1-6
Rear seats ............................................................ 1-7
Armrest .............................................................. 1-8
Head restraint adjustment .................................... 1-8
Reclining the seatback (if equipped) ................... 1-10
Folding down the rear seatback .......................... 1-10
Seatbelts ............................................................. 1-12
Seatbelt safety tips ............................................. 1-12
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................... 1-13
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ............................................................ 1-13
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 1-13
Fastening the seatbelt ........................................ 1-13
Seatbelt maintenance ......................................... 1-19
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................. 1-20
System monitors ................................................ 1-21 System servicing
............................................... 1-21
Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-21
Child restraint systems ..................................... 1-22
Where to place a child restraint system .............. 1-23
Choosing a child restraint system ...................... 1-24
Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR seatbelt ........................................................... 1-24
Installing a booster seat ..................................... 1-27
Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) .............. 1-29
Top tether anchorages ....................................... 1-31
*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ................................................ 1-33
Models with SRS airbags and lap/shoulder restraints for driver, front passenger, and
window-side rear passengers . .......................... 1-33
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system ........... 1-37
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag ............. 1-47
SRS airbag system monitors .............................. 1-57
SRS airbag system servicing ... .......................... 1-58
Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-59
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1

1-2Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Front seats
WARNING
. Never adjust the seat while driv-
ing to avoid the possibility of
loss of vehicle control and of
personal injury.
. Before adjusting the seat, make
sure the hands and feet of rear
seat passengers and cargo are
clear of the adjusting mechan-ism.
. After adjusting the seat, push it
slightly to make sure it is se-
curely locked. If the seat is not
securely locked, it may move or
the seatbelt may not operate
properly.
. Do not put objects under the front
seats. They may interfere with
front seat locking and cause anaccident.
. Seatbelts provide maximum re-
straint when the occupant sits
well back and upright in the seat.
To reduce the risk of sliding
under the seatbelt in a collision,
the front seatbacks should be
always used in the upright posi-
tion while the vehicle is running. If the front seatbacks are not
used in the upright position in a
collision, the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and of the lap belt
sliding up over the abdomen will
increase, and both can result in
serious internal injury or death.
. The SRS airbags deploy with
considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper
position when the SRS airbag
deploys could suffer very serious
injuries. Because the SRS airbag
needs enough space for deploy-
ment, the driver should always
sit upright and well back in the
seat as far from the steering
wheel as practical while still
maintaining full vehicle control
and the front passenger should
move the seat as far back as
possible and sit upright and well
back in the seat.
WARNING
Put children aged 12 and under in
the rear seat properly restrained at
all times. The SRS airbag deploys
with considerable speed and force
and can injure or even kill children,
especially if they are 12 years of age
and under and are not restrained or
improperly restrained. Because chil-
dren are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured
from deployment is greater. For that
reason, we strongly recommend
that ALL children (including those
in child seats and those that have
outgrown child restraint devices) sit
in the REAR seat properly re-
strained at all times in a child