2001 SUBARU FORESTER ignition

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Temperature gauge
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See “ In case of emergency ” in this manual.
HS0052
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 temper-
ature and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately until the pointer of the tempera-
ture gauge reaches near the middle of the range. Engine operation is opti-
mum with the engine coolant at this temperature range and high revving
operation when the engine is not warmed up enough should be avoided.
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on momentarily and
then go out when the ignition switch is initially turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. This permits checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
The following lights come on:

3-10Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL TEMP warning light (automatic transmission vehicles)
ABS warning light (if equipped)
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out bulb or a malfunc-
tion of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the seatbelt
warning light will come on and the reminder chime will sound to remind driver to fasten the seatbelt.
The seatbelt warning light remains on for about six seconds and turns off
automatically after six seconds.
The seatbelt reminder chime will turn off when the driver ’s side seatbelt is
buckled or it will turn off automatically after about six seconds. SRS airbag system warning light AIRBAG
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the SRS airbag
system warning light will come on for about six seconds and go out. This
shows the SRS airbag system is in normal operation.
If this light comes on while driving or remains illuminated even after a
lapse of about 6 seconds from when the ignition key has been turned on,
it may indicate that the SRS airbag system is not working properly. Con-
tact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.

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AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles)
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
automatic transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary to stop the vehicle,
but avoid driving up steep grades or in stop and go traffic.
Automatic transmission control system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indicate that the auto-
matic transmission control system is not working properly. Contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer for service immediately.
ABS warning light (for vehicles with ABS)
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after about two seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS system may not
work properly. When the warning light is on, the ABS function
shuts down; however, the conventional brake system continues
to operate normally.
The warning light does not come on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position.
The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position, but it does not go out even when
the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 8 mph (12 km/h). The warning light comes on during driving.
If this occurs, have the ABS system repaired at the first available
opportunity by your SUBARU dealer.
(U.S.)
(Canada)
ABS

3-14NOTE
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. 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 light has the following two functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It goes out when the parking brake is
fully released. Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition switch in
(Canada)

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the
“ON” position and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on while driving (with
the parking brake fully released and with the ignition switch posi-
tioned in “ON”), it could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or
worn brake pads. Have your vehicle checked by a SUBARU dealer
immediately.
Door open warning lights
The door open warning light comes on if any door or the rear gate is not fully closed.
Always make sure this light is out before you start to drive. Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles)
This light comes on when All Wheel Drive is disengaged and the drive
mechanism is switched to Front Wheel Drive for maintenance or similarpurposes. Security system status indicator light (if equipped)
This light is found at the bottom center of the combination meter panel. On vehicles equipped with a security system, it blinks to show the driver
the operational status of the security system. For detailed information, re-fer to the “Security system ” in Chapter 2.
Turn signal indicator lights
These lights show the operation of the turn signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink rapidly, the turn signal bulb
may be burned out. Replace the bulb as soon as possible. Refer to “Re-
placing bulbs ” section in Chapter 10.
High beam indicator
This light shows that the headlights are in the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when operating headlight flasher.

3-16Light control switch
WARNING
To prevent battery discharge resulting from accidentally leaving your lights on when your vehicle is parked, the light switch oper-ates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. In any
other position, the vehicle ’s lights will be out. If you park your ve-
hicle on a roadside at night, use the hazard warning flasher toalert the other drivers.
HS0054 HS0055
Dimmer
Headlight flasher
The light switch operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position.
Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on the end of the turn signal
lever.
first position
Parking lights, instrument panel illumination, tail lights and license
plate light are on.
second position
Headlights, parking lights, instrument panel illumination, tail lights,
and license plate light are on.

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When the lighting switch is in the
“p ” or “a ” position, you can adjust
brightness of the instrument panel illumination for better visibility.
To brighten, turn the control dial counterclockwise.
To darken, turn the control dial clockwise.
Parking light switch
HS0058
The parking light switch operates regardless of the ignition switch posi- tion.
By pushing the front end of this switch, following lights will come on. – Parking lights
– Front side marker lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the parking light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long time because that will run down
the battery.

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Do not operate the wipers when the windshield or rear window
is dry. This may scratch the glass, damage the wiper blades and
cause the wiper motor to burn out. Before operating the wiper on
a dry windshield or rear window, always use the windshield
washer. In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper blades are not fro-
zen to the windshield or rear window before switching on thewipers. Attempting to operate the wiper with the blades frozen tothe window glass could cause not only the wiper blades to be
damaged but also the wiper motor to burn out. If the wiper blade
is frozen to the window glass, be sure to operate the defroster,wiper deicer (if equipped) or rear window defogger before turning
on the wiper. If the wipers stop during operation because of ice or some oth-
er obstruction on the window, the wiper motor could burn outeven if the wiper switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly stopthe vehicle in a safe place, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”
position and clean the window glass to allow proper wiper opera-tion. Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is unavailable. In
areas where water freezes in winter, use SUBARU Windshield
Washer Fluid or the equivalent. (See “Windshield washer fluid ”
section in chapter 11.)Also, when driving the vehicle when there are freezing tempera-tures, use non-freezing type wiper blades. Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline or a solvent, such
as paint thinner or benzene. This will cause deterioration of thewiper blades.
NOTE The wiper operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON”
or “ACC” position.
Clean your wiper blades and window glass periodically with a
washer solution to prevent streaking, and to remove accumulations
of road salt or road film. Keep the washer button depressed at leastfor 1 second so that washer solution will be sprinkled all over the