light SUBARU FORESTER 2012 SH / 3.G Workshop Manual

3-4Instruments and controls
The key can be turned from “Acc ”to
“ LOCK ”only when the select lever is in the
“ P ”position.
! Manual transmission models
The key can be turned from “Acc ”to
“ LOCK ”only when the key is pushed in while turning it. &
Acc
In this position the electrical accessories
(radio, accessory power outlet, etc.) can
be used. & ON
This is the normal operating position after
the engine is started. & START
The engine is started in this position. The
starter cranks the engine to start it. When
the key is released (after the engine has
started), the key automatically returns tothe “ON ”position.
CAUTION
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “ START ”position while the engine
is running.
If your registered key fails to start the
engine, pull out the key once (the security
indicator light will blink), and then insert
the key in the ignition switch and turn it tothe “START ”position again to try to start
the engine. NOTE
The engine may not start in the follow-
ing cases:
.
The key grip is touching another key
or a metallic key holder.
. The key is near another key that

contains an immobilizer transponder. .The key is near or touching another
transmitter. & Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the driver ’s door is opened with the ignition
key still in the key cylinder, in the “LOCK ”
or “Acc ”position.
The chime stops under the followingconditions. . When the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON ”position
. When the key is removed from the
ignition switch. When the driver ’s door is closed
& Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch in
the dark, the ignition switch light illumi-
nates when the driver ’s door is opened or
when the driver ’s door is unlocked using
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The light remains illuminated for several
tens of seconds and then gradually turns
off under the following conditions. . When the driver ’s door is closed
. When the doors are unlocked using the
remote keyless entry transmitter The light turns off immediately under the
following conditions. .
When the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON ”position
. When all doors and the rear gate are
locked using the remote keyless entry transmitter 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 ignition switch position.
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.Instruments and controls
3-5

3-6Instruments and controls
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. Meters and gauges each show MAX position.
3. Meters and gauges each show MIN position.
4. Dials and indicators in meters and
gauges light up.
5. Regular illumination (for driving) be- gins. &
Canceling the function for
meter/gauge needle move-
ment upon turning on the
ignition switch
Type A
Type B
It is possible to activate or deactivate the
movement of the meter needles and
gauge needles that takes place when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK ”
or “Acc ”position.
2. Press the trip knob to show “
”/“”
or “”/“” on the odometer/trip meter
display.
The display can be switched as shown in
the following illustration by pressing the
trip knob.

This meter displays the odometer and two
trip meters when the ignition switch is inthe“ON ”position.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK ”or “Acc ”position,
the odometer/trip meter will light up. It is
possible to switch the indications while the
odometer/trip meter is lit up. If you do not
press the trip knob within 10 seconds of
illumination of the odometer/trip meter, the
odometer/trip meter will turn off.
The display can be switched as shown in
the following sequences by pressing the
trip knob.
Type A:
*: “”or “”, and “”or “”cannot
be displayed when the ignition switch is
in the “ON ”position. Type B:
*:
“”or “”cannot be displayed when
the ignition switch is in the “ON ”posi-
tion.
! Odometer
Type A
Type B
The odometer shows the total distance
that the vehicle has been driven. ! Double trip meter
Type A Instruments and controls
3-9
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3-10Instruments and controls
Type B
The trip meter shows the distance that the
vehicle has been driven since you last set
it to zero.
To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
trip or B trip meter by pushing the knob
and keep the knob pushed for more than 2seconds.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to change the func-
tion of the indicator during driving.
Doing so could result in an accident.
NOTE
If the connection between the combina-
tion meter and battery is broken for any
reason such as vehicle maintenance or fuse replacement, the data recorded on
the trip meter will be lost.
& Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
pointer of the tachometer in the red
zone. This may cause severe da-
mage to the engine.
& Fuel gauge
Type A
1) Low fuel warning light
Type B
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 is off
(type A) or shows “E ”(type B) 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 illuminate 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. 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.
& Temperature gauge (models
with type A combination me- ter)
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
accordance 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.
Engine 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.
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Refer to “Engine overheating ”F9-
13. Instruments and controls
3-11
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3-12Instruments and controls
&ECO gauge (models with type
A combination meter)
The unit displayed varies depending on
the model.
The ECO gauge shows the difference
between the average rate of fuel con-
sumption since the trip meter was last
reset and the current rate of fuel con-sumption.
The ECO gauge indicates the current fuel
efficiency as shown in the following chart.
Displayed unit Needle pointing
“ + ” side “-” side
MPG Better Poorer
l/100km Poorer BetterNOTE .
The ECO gauge shows only an
approximate indication of fuel effi-
ciency.. After resetting the trip meter, the
average rate of fuel consumption is not
shown until driving 0.6 mile (1 km).
Until that time, the ECO gauge does notoperate. Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate when the ignition switch is
initially turned to the
“ON ”position. This
permits checking the operation of thebulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON ”position. For
the system check, the following lights
illuminate and turn off after several sec-
onds or after the engine has started.
: 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 light

: Coolant temperature high warning light(if equipped)
: 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)
: Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light (models with HID head- lights)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warninglight/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-tor light
: SPORT mode indicator light(AT models)
: Cruise control indicator light
SET/
: 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 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 (type A)
Driver ’s warning light (type B) Instruments and controls
3-13
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3-14Instruments 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.
If there is no passenger on the frontpassenger ’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 the adjustment procedure of
the manual seats, refer to “Manual seat ”
F 1-3.
If the seatbelt warning device for the frontpassenger ’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
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth.
If still the seatbelt warning device for front passenger ’s seat does not function cor-
rectly after taking relevant corrective ac-
tions described above, immediately con-
tact your SUBARU dealer for an inspec-

tion. &SRS airbag system
warning light
WARNING
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt
pretensioners and/or SRS airbag
system. Immediately take your vehi-
cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer
to have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in
the event of a collision, which may
increase the risk of injury. . Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
. No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON ”position
. Continuous illumination of the
warning light
. Illumination of the warning light
while driving &
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 ’s frontal
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 malfunctioning.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately for an inspection. Instruments and controls
3-15
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