2000 SUBARU FORESTER stop start

iv

Safety symbol
HS0008
You will find a c irc le with a slash throug h it in t his manual. This symb ol
means “Do not ” , “Do not d o this ”, or “Do not let this hap p en ”, d ep end ing
up on the c ontext.
Safety precautions when driving
SEAT BELT AND SRS AIRBAG
WARNING
All persons in the vehicle should fasten their seat belts BE-
FORE the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of se-
rious injury becomes greater in the event of a sudden stop or ac-cident. To obtain maximum protection in the event of an accident, the
driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear seat
belts when the vehicle is moving. The SRS (SupplementalRestraint System) airbag does not do away with the need to fas-ten seat belts. In combination with the seat belts, it offers thebest combined protection in case of a serious accident.Not wearing a seat belt increases the chance of severe injury ordeath in a crash even when the car has the SRS airbag. The SRS airbags deploy with considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag

Index13-5
Heating and air c ond itioning
4-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hig h b eam ind ic ator 3-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hig h mount stop lig ht 10-53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn 3-22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I
Ig nition switc h 7-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination b rig htness c ontrol 3-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Insid e mirror 3-23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation of ac c essories 5-14, 10-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing c arrying attac hments on the c ross b ars 1- 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior lig ht 6-23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior lig ht and lug g ag e c omp artment lig ht 10-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
J
Jump starting 8-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
K
Key interloc k release (AT vehic les only) 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keyless entry system (if eq uip p ed ) 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key numb er 1-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key remind er c hime 7-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 1-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L
Lic ense p late lig ht 10-51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lig ht c ontrol switc h 3-11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Load ing your vehic le 7-46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lug g ag e c over (if eq uip p ed ) 6-25
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M
Main fuse and fusib le link 10-45
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenanc e p rec autions 10-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenanc e sc hed ule 10-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenanc e tools 6-31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 7-16
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index13-7
Rear wind ow wip er and washer switc h (if eq uip p ed ) 3-
19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and installation of the c rossb ars 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rep lac ement of b rake p ad and lining 10-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rep lac ement of wind shield wip er b lad es 10-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rep lac ing b ulb s 10-46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rep orting safety d efec ts (USA) 12-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roc king the vehic le 7-45
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roof rail and c rossb ar (if eq uip p ed ) 1-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S
Seatb elt maintenanc e 2-20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatb elts 2-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatb elt safety tip s 2-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatb elt warning lig ht and c hime 2-14, 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat heater (if eq uip p ed ) 2-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sec urity system (if eq uip p ed ) 1-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selec tor lever 7-20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift loc k release 7-24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shop p ing b ag hook 6-27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 7-44
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sp ark p lug s 10-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sp ec ific ations 11-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sp eed ometer 3-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sp otlig ht 6-24, 10-53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airb ag (Sup p lemental Restraint System airb ag ) 2- 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airb ag op eration 2-32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airb ag system monitors 2-37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airb ag system servic ing 2-38
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airb ag system warning lig ht 3-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the eng ine 7-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State emission testing (U.S. only) 7-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 7-26
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stop p ing the eng ine 7-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storag e c omp artment 6-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sun visors 6-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Doors and locks1-9
–
CONTINUED –

System operation
Keyless entry func tions d o not op erate when vehic le ig nition is “ON ”.
HS1000BB
n Locking the doors
Press the “LOCK ” b utton to loc k all d oors and the rear g ate. The p a rk-
ing lig hts will flash one time. n Unlocking the doors
To unloc k the d river ’s d oor only, p ress and release the “UNLOCK ” b ut-
ton.
To unloc k all d oors and the rear g ate, p ress and ho ld the “UNLOCK ”
b utton.
The p arking lig hts will flash one time.
The vehic le ’s interior (c ourtesy) lig ht will illuminate for 60 sec ond s or
until vehic le is started . NOTE
1. Parking lights will flash when the vehicle ’s battery is discon-
nected and reconnected.
To stop lights from flashing, either: Press remote transmitter “UNLOCK” button once.
Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and press pro-
gramming button for one second (see location below).
2. The vehicle interior (courtesy) light and door open warninglight (DOOR AJAR indicator) will illuminate for 60 seconds when
the ignition is turned off, or until the doors are locked with the

1-30the roof rail. When installing the roof c ross b ar k
it on the roof rail, follow
the manufac turer ’s instruc tions. When you c arry c arg o on the roof us ing
the roof c ross b ar kit, never exc eed maximum load l imit exp lained b elow.
You should also b e c areful that your vehic le d oes n ot exc eed the Gross
Vehic le Weig ht Rating (GVWR) and front and rear Gro ss Axle Weig ht Rat-
ing (GAWR). See the “Load ing your vehic le ” sec tion in c hap ter 7 for in-
formation on load ing c arg o into or onto your vehic l e.
When luggage is put on the slats (Vehicles with roof slats only)
When p utting any lug g ag e on the slats, make sure th e total weig ht of the
lug g ag e on the slats of the roof c ross b ar kit d oes not exc eed 100 lb. (45
kg) . Overload ing may c ause d amag e to the roof and c rea te a safety haz-
ard . Plac e the heaviest load at the b ottom, nearest the roof, and evenly
d istrib ute the lug g ag e. Always sec ure the lug g ag e w ith strap s, rop es or
nets. Installing carrying attachments on the cross bars
When installing any c arrying attac hment suc h as a b ike c arrier, ski c arri-
er, kayak c arrier, etc . on the c ross b ars, follow t he manufac turer’s instruc -
tions and make sure that the attac hment is sec urely fixed to the c ross
b ars. Use only attac hments d esig ned sp ec ific ally fo r the c rossb ars. A
set of the c ross b ars is d esig ned to c arry load s (c arg o and attac hment)
of not more than 150 lb. (68 kg). Before op erating the vehic le, make sure
that the c arg o is p rop erly sec ured on the attac hmen t.
NOTE Remember that the vehicle ’s center of gravity is altered with the
weight of the load on the roof, thus affecting driving characteristics.
Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard cornering and abrupt stops.Crosswind effects will be increased.

2-12Seatbelts
Seatbelt safety tips
WARNING
All persons in the vehicle should fasten their seatbelts BE-
FORE the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of se-
rious injury becomes greater in the event of a sudden stop or ac-cident. All belts should fit snugly in order to provide full restraint.
Loose fitting belts are not as effective in preventing or reducing
injury. Each seatbelt is designed to support only one person. Never
use a single belt for two or more persons — even children. Other-
wise, in an accident, serious injury or death could result. Replace all seatbelt assemblies including retractors and at-
taching hardware worn by occupants of a vehicle that has been ina serious accident. The entire assembly should be replaced evenif damage is not obvious. Put children aged 12 and under in the rear seat properly re-
strained at all times. The SRS airbag deploys with considerablespeed and force and can injure or even kill children, especially ifthey are 12 years of age and under and are not restrained or im-properly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater. Forthat reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children (includingthose in child seats and those that have outgrown child restraint
devices) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained at all times in achild restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is appropriate forthe child ’s height and weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint devices (including forwardfacing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times.
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE
FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TOTHE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO
THE SRS AIRBAG.

3-6

Charge warning light
If this lig ht c omes on when the eng ine is running , it may ind ic ate that the
c harg ing system is not working p rop erly.
If the lig ht c omes on while d riving or d oes not g o out after the eng ine
starts, stop the eng ine at the first safe op p ortuni ty and c hec k the alterna-
tor b elt. If the b elt is loose, b roken or if the b e lt is in g ood c ond ition b ut
the lig ht remains on, c ontac t your nearest SUBARU d ealer immed iately.
Oil pressure warning light
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on. This may cause serious engine damage.
If this lig ht c omes on when the eng ine is running , it may ind ic ate that the
eng ine oil p ressure is low and the lub ric ating syst em is not working p rop -
erly.
If the lig ht c omes on while d riving or d oes not g o out after the eng ine
starts, stop the eng ine at the first safe op p ortuni ty and c hec k the eng ine
oil level. If the oil level is low, ad d oil immed ia tely. If the eng ine oil is at
the p rop er level b ut the lig ht remains on, c ontac t your nearest SUBARU
d ealer immed iately. Brake system warning light BRAKE (U.S.)
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 on, 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 repair.
This lig ht has the following two func tions:
(Canada)

Instruments and controls3-9
–
CONTINUED –

The warning lig ht c omes on when the ig nition switc h is turned to the
“ ON ” p osition, b ut it d oes not g o out even when the veh ic le sp eed
exc eed s ap p roximately 8 mp h (12 km/h). The warning lig ht c omes on d uring d riving .
When the warning lig ht is on, the ABS func tion shut s d own; however, the
c onventional b rake system c ontinues to op erate norm ally. If this oc c urs,
have the ABS system rep aired at the first availab le op p ortunity b y your
SUBARU d ealer. NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the ABS system may be considered normal. The warning light comes on right after the engine is started but
goes out immediately, remaining off. The warning light remains on after the engine has been started,
but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches about 8 mph (12km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out
immediately and remains off.When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when theengine is jump started, the ABS warning light may come on. This isdue to the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction.When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles)
If this lig ht c omes on when the eng ine is running , it may ind ic ate that the
automatic transmission fluid temp erature is too hot .
If the lig ht c omes on while d riving , it is unnec ess ary to stop the vehic le,
b ut avoid d riving up steep g rad es or in stop and g o traffic .
Automatic transmission control system warning
If the lig ht flashes after the eng ine starts, it ma y ind ic ate that the auto-
matic transmission c ontrol system is not working p r op erly. Contac t
your nearest SUBARU d ealer for servic e immed iately.