2002 SUBARU FORESTER light control

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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
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; how-
ever, the conventional brake system continues to operate normal-
ly. 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 these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available
opportunity by your SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the ABS system may be considered normal.
(U.S.) (Canada)

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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 the en-
gine is jump started, the ABS warning light may come on. This is due to
the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the
battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) warning light (if equipped)
This warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after the engine has started. It indicates that
the VDC system is operational.
The VDC system is probably inoperative under any of the following
conditions. Immediately have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer. The VDC warning light does not come on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position.
The VDC warning light remains on after the engine has started and
stays lit even when the vehicle speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h). The VDC warning light comes on while the vehicle is running.
If the electrical circuit of the VDC system itself becomes faulty, the
VDC warning light only comes on. At this time, the ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) remains fully operational. The warning light comes on when the electronic control system of the
ABS/VDC system becomes faulty.
The VDC system provides its ABS control through the electrical circuit of
the ABS system. Accordingly, if the ABS is inoperative, the VDC system
also becomes unable to provide ABS control. As a result, the VDC sys-
tem becomes inoperative, causing the VDC warning light to come on.
Though both the VDC and ABS systems are inoperative in this case, the
ordinary functions of the brake system are still available. You will be safe

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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 specific 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. Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is nearly empty about 2.6 U.S. gal. (10.0 liters, or 2.2 Imp. gal.). It only operates when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON” position.
NOTE This light does not go out unless the tank is replenished up to an internal fuel quantity of about 3.7 U.S. gal. (14 liters, 3.1 Imp. gal.). 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. VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) operation indicator light (if equipped)
This light comes on when the ignition switch is ON and goes out about 2
seconds later.
It blinks when the skid suppression function is activated. It illuminates
when only the traction control function is operating.
The VDC system is probably faulty under any of the following conditions.
Have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer immediately. The light does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The light does not go out even after a period of about 2 seconds after
the ignition switch has been turned to the “ON” position.

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VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) OFF indicator light (if equipped)
This indicator light comes on when the ignition switch is turned ON
and goes out about 6 seconds after the engine has started. It comes on when the VDC system is deactivated (by operating “VDC
OFF” switch or in the standby state).
NOTE The light may stay on for a while after the engine has been
started, especially in cold weather. This does not indicate the exis- tence of a problem. The light should go out as soon as the enginehas warmed up. The “VDC OFF ” indicator light comes on when the engine has de-
veloped a problem and the CHECK ENGINE warning light is on.
The VDC system is probably faulty under any of the following conditions. Have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. The VDC OFF indicator light does not come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
The light does not go out even after several minutes have passed (the
engine has warmed up) after the engine has been started. 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.
Shift position indicator (for AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the shift lever. 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 the

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“Replacing bulbs ” section in chapter 11.
High beam indicator light
This light shows that the headlights are in the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when operating headlight flasher. Clock
HB2013BA
To set the time, turn the setting knob clockwise to advance and counter-
clockwise to retard the time.
Light 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 vehicle on a roadside at night, use the hazardwarning flasher to alert the other drivers.

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To flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and then release it.
The high beam will stay on for as long as you hold the lever. The
headlight flasher works even though the lighting switch is in the “OFF”
position.
When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “ a ” on the instrument panel also comes on.
Daytime running light system
WARNING
The tail lights, parking lights, and side marker lights are notturned on by the daytime running light system. The light switchmust always be turned to the “a ” position when it is dark out-
side.
The low beam headlights will automatically come on at reduced bright-
ness when the engine has started, under the following conditions: The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF” or “p ” position.
Turn signal lever
HB2015BB
Right turn Left turn
To activate the right turn signal, push the turn signal lever up. To activate
the left turn signal, push the turn signal lever down. When the turn is fin-

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ished, the lever will return automatically. If the lever does not return after
cornering, return the lever to the neutral position by hand.
To signal a lane change, push the turn signal lever up or down slightly
and hold it during the lane change. The turn signal indicator lights will
flash in the direction of the turn or lane change. The lever will return auto-
matically to the neutral position when you release it.
Illumination brightness control
HB2017BB
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.

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Parking light switch
HB2018BA
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 and rear 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.