2000 SUBARU FORESTER ignition

7-10NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and other fluid
levels should be checked daily, weekly or at fuel stops.
Driving in foreign countries
When p lanning to use your vehic le in another c ountr
y:
Confirm the availab ility of the c orrec t fuel. (Refe r to Fuel Req uirement
sec tion in this c hap ter.) Comp ly with all reg ulations and req uirements of eac h c ountry.
Periodic inspections
To keep your vehic le in the b est c ond ition at all t imes, always have the
rec ommend ed maintenanc e servic es listed in the main tenanc e sc hed ule
in the “Warranty and Maintenanc e Booklet ” p erformed at the sp ec ified
time or mileag e intervals.
Ignition switch
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while the vehicle is be-
ing driven or towed because that will lock the steering wheel, pre- venting steering control. And when the engine is turned off, it
takes a much greater effort than usual to steer.
The ig nition switc h has four p ositions: LOCK, ACC, ON and START.

7-12n
Manual transmission vehicles:
HS0125
1
2
The key c an b e turned from “ACC ” to “LOCK ” only when the key is
p ushed in while turning it. ACC
In this p osition the elec tric al ac c essories (rad io, ac c essory p ower
soc ket, etc .) c an b e used . ON
This is the normal op erating p osition after the eng ine is started .
START
CAUTION
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “START” position while the
engine is running.
The eng ine is started in this p osition. The starter c ranks the eng ine to
start it. When the key is released (after the eng in e has started ), the
key automatic ally returns to the “ON ” p osition.
Key reminder chime
The remind er c hime sound s when the d river ’s d oor op ens and the key is
in the “LOCK ” or “ACC ” p ositions. The c hime stop s when the key is re-
moved from the ig nition switc h.

Starting and operating7-15
–
CONTINUED –
If the eng ine d oes not start within ten sec ond s, wa
it a while and then
turn the ig nition switc h to the “START ” p osition ag ain while d ep ressing
the ac c elerator p ed al half way d own.
6. Confirm that all warning and ind ic ator lig hts hav e g one out after
the eng ine has started . The fuel injec tion system a utomatic ally lowers
the id le sp eed as the eng ine warms up .
While the eng ine is warming up , make sure that the selec tor lever is at
the “P ” or “N ” p osition and that the p arking b rake is ap p lied .
During cold weather below – 4F ( – 20 C)
If the eng ine is d iffic ult to start using the norma l method (without d e-
p ressing the ac c elerator p ed al), turn the ig nition switc h to the
“ START ” p osition while slig htly d ep ressing the ac c elerator p ed al.
Flooded engine
If the eng ine d oes not start, it may b e flood ed (ex c essive fuel in the
eng ine).
In c ase of a flood ed eng ine, turn the starter motor for five sec ond s
with the ac c elerator p ed al fully d ep ressed . Rep eat this two or three
times until the eng ine starts. Release the ig nition switc h and ac c elera-
tor p ed al as soon as the eng ine starts.
Stopping the engine
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is moving. This will
cause loss of power to the power steering and the brake booster,making steering and braking more difficult. It could also result in
accidental activation of the “LOCK” position on the ignition
switch, causing the steering wheel to lock.
The ig nition switc h should b e turned off only when the eng ine is id ling .

In case of emergency8-13
–
CONTINUED –
HS0374
Towing with all wheels on the ground
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position while the
vehicle is being towed because the steering wheel and the direc- tion of the wheels will be locked. Remember that the brake booster and power steering do not
function when the engine is not running. Because the engine isturned off, it will take greater effort to operate the brake pedal andsteering wheel.
CAUTION
If transmission failure occurs, transport your vehicle on a flat-
bed truck. For AWD vehicles, the traveling speed must be limited to less
than 20 mph (30 km/h) and the traveling distance to less than 31
miles (50 km). For greater speeds and distances, transport your
vehicle on a flat-bed truck.

10-4
Always use the proper tools and make certain that they are
well maintained. Never get under the vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
use a safety stand to support the vehicle. Never keep the engine running in a poorly ventilated area,
such as a garage or other closed areas. Do not smoke or allow open flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire. Wear adequate eye protection to guard against getting oil or
other fluids in your eyes. If something does get in your eyes,
thoroughly wash it out with clean water. Because the fuel system is under pressure, replacement of the
fuel filter should be performed only by your SUBARU dealer. The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable parts. Tampering with
or disconnecting the system ’s wiring could result in accidental
inflation of the airbag or could make the system inoperative,
which may result in serious injury. The wiring harnesses of theSRS airbag system are covered with yellow insulation and the
connectors of the system are yellow, for easy identification. Donot use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRSairbag system. For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see your
nearest SUBARU dealer. Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment
Always stop the engine and set the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving. Always let the engine cool down. Engine parts become very
hot when the engine is running and remain hot for some time af-ter the engine is stopped. Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components. This may cause a fire. Always remove the key from the ignition switch. When the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the cooling fan may oper-
ate suddenly even when the engine is stopped.