SUBARU FORESTER 2017 SJ / 4.G Owners Manual

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of re-
placement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
Should the warning light illuminate stea-
dily after blinking for approximately one
minute, have the system inspected by
your nearest SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
If this light does not illuminate
briefly after the ignition switch is
turned ON or the light illuminates
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute, you should have
your Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
If this light illuminates while driving,
never brake suddenly and keepdriving straight ahead while gradu-
ally reducing speed. Then slowly
pull off the road to a safe place.
Otherwise an accident involving
serious vehicle damage and serious
personal injury could occur.
If this light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may have significant
damage and a fast leak that causes
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 min-
ute, 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 25 mph (40
km/h). After adjusting the tire pres-
sures, increase the vehicle speed to
at least 25 mph (40 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.
3-20

&ABS warning light
CAUTION
.If any of the following conditions
occur, we recommend that you
have the ABS repaired at the first
available opportunity by your
SUBARU dealer.
– The warning light does not
illuminate 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 ex-
ceeds approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h).
– The warning light illuminates
during driving.
. When the warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is
off), the ABS function shuts
down. However, the conventional
brake system continues to oper-
ate normally.
The ABS warning light illuminates to-
gether with the brake system warning light if the EBD system malfunctions. For
further details of the EBD system mal-
function warning, refer to
“Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system
warning ”F 3-22.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following conditions,
the ABS may be considered normal.
. The warning light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ”position and turns off approxi-
mately 2 seconds after the engine has
started.
. The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.
. The warning light remains illumi-
nated after the engine has been started,
but it turns off when the vehicle speed
reaches approximately 25 mph (40
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
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.
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 illuminated,
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.
The brake system warning light has the
following functions.
! 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
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-21

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
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
location 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 location.
2. Shut down the engine, apply the
parking brake and then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. Even if
both warning lights turn off, the EBD
system may be malfunctioning. Drive
carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer
and have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights illuminate again
and remain 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
malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the
system 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.
! Vacuum pump system warning
(turbo models)
This light illuminates when a malfunction
is detected in the vacuum pump system.NOTE
The vacuum pump system assists the
boost pressure when driving at high
altitudes while the engine is cold.
&Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light illuminates
when the tank is nearly empty, at 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.
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.
NOTE
This light does not turn off unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.5 US
gal (17 liters, 3.7 Imp gal).
3-22

&Hill start assist warning
light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light
!Hill start assist warning light
While the engine is running, if there are
any malfunctions in the Hill start assist
system, the warning light will illuminate.
WARNING
When the Hill start assist warning
light illuminates, have the vehicle
inspected at an authorized SUBARU
dealer.
! Hill start assist OFF indicator light
While the Hill start assist system is
deactivated, the Hill start assist OFF
indicator light illuminates continuously to
inform the driver that the Hill start assist
system is not operational.
&Door open warning
light
The warning light illuminates if any door or
the rear gate is not fully closed. This
function is effective even if the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK”/ “OFF”or “ACC ”
position, or the key is removed from the ignition switch.
Always make sure this light is not illumi-
nated before you start to drive.
&All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (CVT models)
This light 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.
WARNING
If the AWD warning light flashes,
promptly park in a safe location then
check whether all four tires are the
same diameter and whether any of
the tires has a puncture or has lost
air pressure for some other reason.
Continuing to drive with the AWD
warning light flashing can lead to
powertrain damage.
&Power steering warn-
ing light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the
“ON ”
position and turns off after the engine
has started. This indicates that the warn-
ing system is working properly. While the engine is running, this warning
light illuminates when a malfunction has
been detected in the electric power steer-
ing system.
CAUTION
When the power steering warning
light is illuminated, there may be
more resistance when the steering
wheel is operated. Drive carefully to
the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the vehicle inspected immedi-
ately.
NOTE
If the steering wheel is operated in the
following ways, the power steering
control system may temporarily limit
the power assist in order to prevent the
system components, such as the con-
trol computer and drive motor, from
overheating.
.
The steering wheel is operated fre-
quently and turned sharply while the
vehicle is maneuvered at extremely low
speeds, such as while frequently turn-
ing the steering wheel during parallel
parking.
. The steering wheel remains in the
fully turned position for a long period
of time.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
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Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
At this time, there will be more resis-
tance when steering. However this is
not a malfunction. Normal steering
force will be restored after the steering
wheel is not operated for a while and
the power steering control system has
an opportunity to cool down. However,
if the power steering is operated in a
non-standard way which causes power
assist limitation to occur too fre-
quently, that may result in a malfunc-
tion of the power steering control
system.
&Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator
light
!Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light
CAUTION
The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem provides its ABS control
through the electrical circuit of the
ABS. Accordingly, if the ABS is
inoperative, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system becomes unable to provide ABS control. As a result, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system
also becomes inoperative, causing
the warning light to illuminate.
Although both the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system and ABS are inop-
erative in this case, the ordinary
functions of the brake system are
still available. You will be safe while
driving with this condition, but drive
carefully and have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
NOTE
.
If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself mal-
functions, the warning light only illumi-
nates. At this time, the ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System) remains fully opera-
tional.
. The warning light illuminates when
the electronic control system of the
ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
malfunctions.
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.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following examples,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
may be considered normal.
. The warning light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ”position and turns off approxi-
mately 2 seconds after the engine has
started.
. The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.
. The warning light illuminates after
the engine has started and turns off
while the vehicle is subsequently being
driven.
. The warning light illuminates during
driving, but it turns off immediately and
remains off.
. The warning light illuminates when
the engine has stalled and continues to
illuminate after the engine has been
restarted. However, it will turn off once
the vehicle starts moving.
3-24

!Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
The indicator light flashes during activa-
tion of the skid suppression function and
during activation of the traction control
function.
NOTE
. The light may remain illuminated for
a short period of time after the engine
has been started, especially in cold
weather. This does not indicate the
existence of a problem. The light
should turn off as soon as the engine
has warmed up.
. The indicator light illuminates when
the engine has developed a problem
and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light is on.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably malfunctioning under the follow-
ing condition. Have your vehicle checked
at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
. The light does not turn off even after
the lapse of several minutes (the engine
has warmed up) after the engine has
started.
&Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light
The light illuminates when the Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF switch is pressed
to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol system.
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 once
several seconds have elapsed after the
ignition switch has been turned to the
“ON ”position.
& Warning chimes and warning
light of the keyless access
with push-button start sys-
tem (if equipped)
Access key warning light (type A)
Access key warning light (type B)
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –
3-25

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
The keyless access with push-button start
system sounds a warning chime and
flashes the access key warning light on
the combination meter in order to minimize
improper operations and help protect your
vehicle from theft.
When the warning chime sounds and/or
the warning light flashes, take the appro-
priate action.
WARNING
Never drive the vehicle if the indi-
cator on the push-button ignition
switch is flashing in green when
starting the engine. This indicates
the status that the steering wheel is
not released and could result in an
accident involving serious injury or
death.
CAUTION
.When starting the engine again
after the operation indicator on
the push-button ignition switch
flashes in green, if the operation
indicator is still flashing in green,
there could be a steering lock
malfunction. Contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as pos-
sible. .
When the operation indicator on
the push-button ignition switch
flashes in orange, contact a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
NOTE
. Even when the access key is within
the operating ranges inside the vehicle,
the access key warning for engine start
may be provided depending on the
status of the access key and the
environmental conditions.
. When the access key is taken out of
the vehicle through an open window,
the access key takeout warning or
passenger access key takeout warning
will not be provided.
! List of warnings
CAUTION
When any of the following warnings
occurs even if the access key warn-
ing light does not illuminate, take
the appropriate action.
3-26

Inside warningchime Outside warning
chime Access key
warning light on
meter Operation indica-
tor on push-button
ignition switch Status Action
Ding,
ding ...
(intermittent) —— — The driver
’s door was opened while
the push-button ignition switch is
“ ACC ”and the select lever is in the
“ P ”position. Switch the push-button ignition
switch to
“OFF ”, or close the
driver ’s door.
*When exiting the vehicle, be sure
to switch the push-button ignition
switch to “OFF ”.
The push-button ignition switch
was switched to “OFF ”while the
driver ’s door is open. Close the driver
’s door.
Ding Short beep
(2 seconds) —— Lockout warning:
An attempt was made to lock all
doors while the access key is left
inside the vehicle. Take out the access key from the
vehicle, and lock the doors.
*The doors cannot be locked while
the access key is inside the vehicle.
*A chirp sound will be heard, and all
doors will be unlocked.
— Short beep
(2 seconds) —— Access key lock-in warning:
The door lock sensor was touched
while the push-button ignition
switch is
“OFF ”and the access key
is inside the vehicle. Take out the access key from the
vehicle, and lock the doors.
*If the access key is inside the
vehicle, the doors cannot be
locked.
— Beep, beep ...
(5 beeps) —— Door ajar warning:
The door lock sensor is touched
while the push-button ignition
switch is in the
“OFF ”position and
one of the doors including the rear
gate is opened. Close the doors securely and lock
them.
*If one of the doors including the
rear

gate is opened, the doors
cannot be locked.
Ding Long beep (60
seconds max.)
—— Power warning:
The door lock sensor was touched
while carrying the access key and
the push-button ignition switch is in
a position other than
“OFF ”and the
select lever is in the “P ”position. Return the access key inside the
vehicle, or switch the push-button
ignition switch to
“OFF ”.
*If the push-button ignition switch is
not switched to “OFF ”, the doors
cannot be locked.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –
3-27

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
Inside warningchime Outside warning
chime Access key
warning light on
meter Operation indica-
tor on push-button
ignition switch Status Action
Ding, ding ... (7 seconds) —
(Flashes 1 sec.
intermittent) —
Access key warning:
The vehicle was driven while the
access key is not inside the vehi-
cle. Carry the access key, and drive the
vehicle.
Ding —
(Flashes 1 sec.
intermittent) —Access key warning for engine
start:
The push-button ignition switch
was pressed while the access key
is not inside the vehicle. Carry the access key, and press the
push-button ignition switch.
Ding Beep, beep,
beep (3 beeps)
(Flashes 1 sec.
intermittent) —Access key takeout warning:
The driver exited the vehicle with
the access key and closed the
driver
’s door while the push-button
ignition switch is in a position other
than “OFF ”and the select lever is in
the “P ”position. Switch the push-button ignition
switch to
“OFF ”, and get out of the
vehicle.
Ding Beep, beep,
beep (3 beeps)
(Flashes 1 sec. intermittent) —Passenger access key takeout
warning:
A fellow passenger exited the
vehicle with the access key and
closed a door other than the
driver
’s door while the push-button
ignition switch is in a position other
than “OFF ”. Return the access key to inside the
vehicle, or switch the push-button
ignition switch to
“OFF ”.
Long beep
(continuous) Long beep
(continuous)
(Flashes 1 sec. intermittent) —Access key takeout without
“P ”
position warning:
The driver exited the vehicle with
the access key and closed the
driver ’s door while the push-button
ignition switch is in a position other
than “OFF ”and the select lever is in
a position other than the “P ”posi-
tion. Shift the select lever to the
“P ”
position, switch the push-button
ignition switch to “OFF ”and exit the
vehicle.
3-28

Inside warningchime Outside warning
chime Access key
warning light on
meter Operation indica-
tor on push-button
ignition switch Status Action
Long beep
(continuous) —— — Select lever position warning:
The engine is turned off by press-
ing the push-button ignition switch
and the select lever is in a position
other than the
“P ”position. Start the engine, shift the select
lever to the
“P ”position, switch the
push-button ignition switch to “OFF ”
and exit the vehicle.
Long beep
(continuous) —— — Select lever position warning:
The driver
’s door was opened while
the push-button ignition switch is in
a position other than “OFF ”and the
select lever is in a position other
than the “P ”position. Shift the select lever to the
“P ”
position, switch the push-button
ignition switch to “OFF ”and exit the
vehicle.
Ding —— — The battery of the access key is
low.Replace the battery of the access
key.
Ding —— Flashes in green
(15 seconds max.) Steering lock warning:
The engine start procedure was
performed, but the steering is still
locked. While turning the steering wheel
right and left lightly, depress the
brake pedal and press the push-
button ignition switch.
Ding —— Flashes in orangeSystem malfunction warning:
A malfunction was detected in the
power system or steering lock. Contact a SUBARU dealer imme-
diately and have the vehicle in-
spected.
NOTEAn electronic chirp will sound while the select lever is in the
“R ” position. In this case, the select lever position warning chime
will not sound.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-29