coolant temperature SUBARU FORESTER 2017 SJ / 4.G Owners Manual

&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-14
Front passenger’s
seatbelt warning light 3-14
SRS airbag system
warning light3-15
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag ON indi-
cator 3-16
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag OFF in-
dicator 3-16
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator light3-16
Coolant temperature
low indicator light/
Coolant temperature
high warning light3-17
Charge warning light 3-18
Oil pressure warning
light
3-18
Engine low oil level
warning light3-18Mark Name Page
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (CVT models)
3-19
ABS warning light 3-21
Brake system warning
light
3-21
Door open warning
light3-23
AWD warning light
(CVT models)
3-23
Power steering warn-
ing light3-23
Hill start assist warn-
ing light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light3-23
Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light3-24
Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light
3-25
Turn signal indicator
lights
3-32Mark Name Page
High beam indicator
light
3-32
High beam assist indi-
cator light (if equipped)3-32
Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (if equipped)3-32
Steering Responsive
Headlight warning
light/Steering Respon-
sive Headlight OFF
indicator light (if
equipped)3-99
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
3-33
Access key warning
light (if equipped)3-25
Security indicator light 3-30
Headlight indicator
light (if equipped)
3-33
Cruise control indica-
tor light3-32
Cruise control set in-
dicator light3-32
– CONTINUED –
23

Ignition switch (models without push-button start system) ......................................... 3-4
LOCK.................................................................. 3-4
ACC.................................................................... 3-5
ON...................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light (if equipped) ......................... 3-6
Push-button ignition switch (models with
push-button start system) ............................... 3-6
Safety precautions.............................................. 3-6
Operating range for push-button start system ...... 3-6
Switching power status ....................................... 3-7
When access key does not operate properly ........ 3-8
Hazard warning flasher....................................... 3-8
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-9
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-9
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition
switch ............................................................... 3-9
Speedometer ...................................................... 3-10
Odometer ........................................................... 3-10
Double trip meter ............................................... 3-10
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-11
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-12
ECO gauge (if equipped) .................................... 3-12
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-13Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-15
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-16 CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator light .................................................. 3-16
Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light ......................... 3-17
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-18
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-18
Engine low oil level warning light ....................... 3-18
Windshield washer fluid warning light ................ 3-19
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models) ........... 3-19
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) ........................................................... 3-19
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-21
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-21
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-22
Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-23
Door open warning light .................................... 3-23
All-Wheel Drive warning light (CVT models) ... ..... 3-23
Power steering warning light .............................. 3-23
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-24
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light ..... 3-25
Warning chimes and warning light of the keyless access with push-button start system (if
equipped) ........................................................ 3-25
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-30
SI-DRIVE indicator light (if equipped) .................. 3-31
Select lever/gear position indicator (CVT models) ........................................................... 3-31
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-32
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-32
High beam assist indicator light (if equipped) ..... 3-32
Instruments and controls
3

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 the
bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON”position. For
the system check, several of the following
lights illuminate and then turn off after
several seconds or after the engine has
started.
: Seatbelt warning light (The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens the
seatbelt.)
: 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 low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: Engine low oil level warning light*
: Windshield washer fluid warning light*
: AT OIL TEMP warning light(CVT 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/Hill startassist OFF indicator light
: Door open warning light
: AWD warning light (CVT models)
: Power steering warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-tor light
: Cruise control indicator light(if equipped)
: Cruise control set indicator light(if equipped)
: Headlight indicator light (if equipped)
: Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light (if equipped)
: Steering Responsive Headlight warn-ing light/Steering Responsive Head-
light OFF indicator light (if equipped)*
: High beam assist indicator light (if equipped)
: Access key warning light
(if equipped)
: X-mode indicator light (if equipped)
: Hill descent control indicator light (if equipped)*
*: Applies to models with type A combina- tion meter.
If any lights fail to illuminate, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-13

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 the
following.
. Reduce vehicle speed.
. Avoid hard acceleration.
. Avoid steep uphill grades.
. Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
. If towing a trailer, stop doing so as soon
as possible.
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 in any of the following
ways, the electrical system may
be malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer immediately 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 in
any of the following ways, take
the specified appropriate mea-
sure listed below.
– Blinking or illuminated in
RED:
Safely stop the vehicle as
soon as possible, and refer
to the emergency steps to
take in the case of engine overheating. After that, have
the system checked by your
nearest SUBARU dealer. Refer
to
“Engine overheating ”F9-
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 a 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.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-17

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
If the engine coolant temperature in-
creases over the specified range, the
indicator light/warning light blinks in
RED. 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 to take in the
case of engine overheating. Refer to
“ Engine overheating ”F 9-12. After that,
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 illuminated,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately.
&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
illuminated, contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer immediately.
For details about checking the engine oil
level or adding the engine oil, refer to
“Engine oil ”F 11-10.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light illumi-
nated. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
&Engine low oil level
warning light
This light illuminates when the engine oil
level decreases to the lower limit.
If the engine low oil level warning light
illuminates while driving, park the vehicle
in a safe and level location, and then
check the engine oil level. When the
engine oil level is not within the normal
range, refill with engine oil. Refer to
“Engine oil ”F 11-10.
If the warning light does not turn off after
refilling the engine oil, or the warning light
illuminates even though the engine oil
level is within the normal range, have the
vehicle checked by a SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
. After replacing or adding the engine
oil, if the engine oil level is within the
normal range when restarting the en-
gine on a level surface, the warning
light will turn off.
3-18

CAUTION
Trapping small animals in the cool-
ing fan and belts of the engine may
result in a malfunction. Check that
no small animal enters the engine
compartment and under the vehicle
before starting the engine.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops.
Starting and stopping the
engine (models without
push-button start system)
&Starting engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10 sec-
onds. If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for 5 to 10
seconds, wait for 10 seconds or
more before trying again.
NOTE
It may be difficult to start the engine
when the battery has been discon-
nected and reconnected (for mainte-
nance or other purposes). This diffi-
culty is caused by the electronically
controlled throttle ’s self-diagnosis
function. To overcome it, keep the
ignition switch in the “ON ”position
for approximately 10 seconds before
starting the engine. !
General precautions when starting
engine
WARNING
.Never start the engine from out-
side the vehicle. It may result in
an accident.
. Do not leave the engine running
in locations with poor ventilation,
such as a garage and indoors.
The exhaust gas may enter the
vehicle or indoors, and it may
result in carbon monoxide poi-
soning.
. Do not start the engine near dry
foliage, paper, or other flam-
mable substances. The exhaust
pipe and exhaust emissions can
create a fire hazard at high
temperatures.
CAUTION
. If the engine is stopped during
driving, the catalyst may over-
heat and burn.
Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push –button start system)
–CONTINUED –7-9

Starting and operating/Power steering
&SI-DRIVE switches
SI-DRIVE switches
To select the Intelligent (I) mode, perform
either of the following procedures.
. Press the “S/I”switch when the Sport
(S) mode is selected
. Press the “S#/I”switch when the Sport
Sharp (S#) mode is selected
To select the Sport (S) mode, press the “S/
I ” switch when any mode other than Sport
(S) mode is selected.
To select the Sport Sharp (S#) mode,
press the “S#/I”switch when any mode
other than Sport Sharp (S#) mode is
selected.
NOTE
. While the engine is cool, you cannot
change to Sport Sharp (S#) mode.
. The next time you turn on the
engine, after you turned off the engine
in the Sport (S) mode or Sport Sharp
(S#) mode, the SI-DRIVE mode changes
to the Intelligent (I) mode.
. While the engine is running, if the
CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunc-
tion indicator light illuminates, the SI-
DRIVE mode changes to the Sport (S)
mode. In this case, it is not possible to
change to another mode.
. If there is a possibility that the
engine could overheat because of a
temperature increase of the engine
coolant, it is not possible to change to
the Sport Sharp (S#) mode. While the
vehicle is in the Sport Sharp (S#) mode,
it changes to the Sport (S) mode when
the engine coolant temperature in-
creases.
. If any of the SI-DRIVE indicators
blink, the SI-DRIVE system may be
malfunctioning. Contact your SUBARU
dealer.Power steering
Power steering warning light (type A)
Power steering warning light (type B)
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system. When the ignition
7-34

Starting and operating/X–mode
X-mode indicator light (type A)
X-mode indicator light (type B)
To activate:
Press the X-mode switch. While the X-
mode is activated, the X-mode indicator light illuminates.
To deactivate:
Press the X-mode switch again. The X-
mode indicator light will turn off when the
X-mode is deactivated.
NOTE
.
Even if you try to activate the X-
mode by pressing the X-mode switch
when the vehicle speed is 12 mph (20
km/h) or more, the X-mode will not be
activated. At this time, a buzzer will
sound twice.
. If the vehicle speed reaches 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more while the X-mode is
activated, a buzzer will sound once and
the X-mode will be deactivated.
NOTE
For models with SI-DRIVE:
. The SI-DRIVE mode will change to
the Intelligent (I) mode when the X-
mode is deactivated.
. The SI-DRIVE mode cannot be chan-
ged while the X-mode is activated. At
this time, a buzzer will sound twice.
. While the engine is running, if any of
the following conditions is met, the X-
mode will be deactivated. In this case, it
is not possible to activate the X-mode.
Also, for models with SI-DRIVE, the mode will change to the Sport (S) mode
and it will not be possible to change to
the other modes.
–The CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator light illu-
minates.
– The AT OIL TEMP warning light
flashes.
– The ABS warning light illumi-
nates.
– The Vehicle Dynamics Control
warning light illuminates.
. If there is a possibility that the
engine could overheat because of a
temperature increase of the engine
coolant, it is not possible to change to
the X-mode. While the vehicle is in the
X-mode, it changes to the Sport (S)
mode when the engine coolant tem-
perature increases.
. It is not possible to activate the X-
mode when the engine is not running,
because the hill descent control func-
tion is not activated.
& Hill descent control function
The hill descent control function will be in
standby mode when the X-mode is acti-
vated and the vehicle speed is less than
approximately 12 mph (20 km/h).
The function will operate when the vehicle
7-44

1) Left turn
2) Right turn
.Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn.
. If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed
immediately by your nearest SUBARU
dealer. !
Driving on grades
. Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift into lower gear (if neces-
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the
engine braking effect and prevent over-
heating of your vehicle’ s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts.
. When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating.
. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
attention to the following indicators be-
cause the engine and transmission are
relatively prone to overheating.: Coolant temperature high warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models)
If the coolant temperature high warning
light and/or the AT OIL TEMP warning light
illuminates, immediately turn off the air
conditioner and stop the vehicle in the
nearest safe location. For further instruc-
tions and additional information, refer to
the following sections. –“If you park your vehicle in case of
an emergency ”F 9-2
–“ Engine overheating ”F 9-12
–“ Coolant temperature low indicator
light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light ”F 3-17 –“
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT
models) ”F 3-19
. For CVT models, avoid using the
accelerator pedal to stay stationary on
an uphill slope instead of using the
parking brake or foot brake. That may
cause the transmission fluid to overheat.
! Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both
vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply
the parking brake firmly. You should not
park on a hill or slope. If parking on a hill or
slope cannot be avoided, you should take
the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal
down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then
apply the parking brake; slowly release
the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (MT
models) or “P ” position (CVT models)
and shut off the engine.
Driving tips/Trailer towing8-25

In case of emergency/Engine overheating
Engine overheating
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe
location.
& If steam is coming from the
engine compartment
. Turn off the engine and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down.
. Contact an authorized SUBARU deal-
er.
& If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed.
2. Open the engine hood to ventilate the engine compartment. Refer to
“Engine
hood ”F 11-7.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact an authorized
SUBARU dealer for repair.
3. After the coolant temperature high
warning light that has blinked or illumi-
nated in REDturns off, turn off the engine.
For details about the warning light, refer to
“Coolant temperature low indicator light/
Coolant temperature high warning light ”
F 3-17.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reserve
tank. If the coolant level is below the
“LOW ”mark, add coolant up to the “FULL ”
mark.
NOTE
For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “Engine coolant ”F 11-13.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter-
clockwise slowly without pressing down until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been
fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it.
9-12