2003 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

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Instruments and controls

Washer
To wash the rear window while the rear wiper is oper-
ating, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control le-
ver counterclockwise to the “ ” position. The
washer fluid sprays until you release the knob.
To wash the rear window when the rear wiper is not in
use, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control lever
clockwise to the “ ” position. The washer fluid
sprays and the wiper operates until you release the
knob.Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped)
The windshield wiper deicer operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
Before turning on the windshield wiper deicer, remove
any snow from the windshield. To turn on the wind-
shield wiper deicer, push the switch. The indicator light
located on the switch lights up while the windshield
wiper deicer is operating.
The windshield wiper deicer will automatically shut off
after about 15 minutes. If the wiper blades have been
deiced completely before that time, push the switch to
turn it off. It also turns off when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If deicing is
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not complete, you have to push the switch to turn the
deicer on again.
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not operate the windshield wiper deicer con-
tinuously for any longer than necessary.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equip ped with the outside mirror
defogger, the outside mirror defogger operates
while the windshield wiper deicer is operating.
Rear window defogger switch
Manual climate control system
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Automatic climate control system
The rear window defogger operates only when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” position.
The rear window defogger switch is located on the cli-
mate control panel.
The defogger will automatically shut off after about 15
minutes. If the window clears before that time, push
the switch to turn it off. It also turns off when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
If defrosting or defogging is desired when you restart
your vehicle, you have to push the switch to turn it on
again.
To turn on the defogger, push the switch. To turn it off, push the switch again.
The indicator light located on the switch lights up while
the rear window defogger is operating.

Do not use sharp instruments or window
cleaner containing abrasives to clean the inner
surface of the rear window. They may damage
the conductors printed on the window. To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not operate the defogger continu-
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Mirrors
Always check that the inside and outside mirrors are
properly adjusted before you start driving. Inside mirror
1) Tab
The inside mirror has a day and night position. Pull the
tab at the bottom of the mirror toward you for the night
position. Push it away for the day position. The night
position reduces glare from headlights.
Auto-dimming mirror/com pass (if equipped)
1) Left button
2) Auto dimming indicator
3) Photosensor
4) Right button
The inside electronic compass mirror has an anti-glare
feature which automatically reduces glare coming
from headlights of vehicles behind you. It also con-
tains a built-in compass. By pressing and releasing the left button, the auto-
matic dimming function is toggled on or off. When the
automatic dimming function is on, the auto dimming in-
dicator light (green) located to the right of the button
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will illuminate.
By pressing and releasing the right button, the com-
pass display is toggled on or off. When the compass is
on, an illuminated compass reading will appear in the
lower part of the mirror.
Even with the mirror in anti-glare mode, the mirror sur-
face turns bright if the transmission is shifted into re-
verse. This is to ensure good rearward visibility during reversing. Photosensors
The mirror has a photosensor attached on both the
front and back sides. If the glare from the headlights of
vehicles behind you strikes the mirror, these sensors detect it and make the reflection surface of the mirror
dimmer to help prevent you from being blinded. For
this reason, use care not to cover the sensors with
stickers, or other similar items. Periodically wipe the
sensors clean using a piece of dry soft cotton cloth or
an applicator.
Compass calibration
1. For optimum calibration, switch off all nonessential
electrical accessories (rear window defogger, heater/
air conditioning system, spotlight, etc.) and ensure all
doors are shut.
2. Drive to an open, level area away from large metal-
lic objects or structures and make certain the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
3. Press and hold the left button for 3 seconds then re-
lease, and the compass will enter the calibration
mode. “CAL” and direction will be displayed.
4. Drive slowly in a circle until “CAL” disappears from
the display (about two or three circles).
5. The compass is now calibrated. Further calibration
is not required. The compass will automatically cali-
brate from this point forward.
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Compass zone adjustment
Compass calibration zones
1. The zone setting is factory preset to Zone 8. Refer
to the “Compass calibration zone” map shown above
or one attached to the end of this manual to verify that
the compass zone setting is correct for your geograph-
ical location.
2. Press and hold the right button for 3 seconds then
release, and the word “ZONE” will briefly appear and
then the zone number will be displayed.
3. Press the right hand button repeatedly to cycle the
display through all possible zone settings. Stop cycling
when the correct zone setting for your location is dis- played.
4. Releasing the button for 3 seconds will exit the
zone setting mode.
Outside mirrors
Convex mirror (passenger side)
Objects look smaller in a convex mirror and far-
ther away than when viewed in a flat mirror. Do
not use the convex mirror to judge the distance
of vehicles behind you when changing lanes.
Use the inside mirror (or glance backwards) to
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determine the actual size and distance of ob-
jects that you view in convex mirror.
Remote control mirror switch
1) Selection switch
2) Direction control switch
The remote control mirrors operate only when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
1. Press either end of the selection switch, “L” for the
left, “R” for the right.
2. Move the direction control switch in the direction
youwanttomovethemirror. 3. Return the selection switch to the neutral position
to prevent unintentional operation.
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually.
Outside mirror defogger
1) Outside mirror defogger switch (if equipped)
2) Outside mirror defogger and Windshield wiper deicer switch (if equipped)
The outside mirror defogger operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
To turn on the outside mirror defogger, push the
switch. To turn it off, push the switch again. The indi-
cator light located on the switch lights up while the out-
MIRRMIRROROR
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side mirror defogger is operating.
The defogger will automatically shut off after about 15
minutes. If the mirror clears before that time, push the
switch to turn it off. It also turns off when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If de-
frosting or defogging is desired when you restart your
vehicle, you have to push the switch to turn it on again.
NOTE
On vehicles equipped with a windshield wiper de-
icer, the windshield wiper deicer switch is also
used to operate the ou tside mirror defogger.
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not operate the defogger continuously for
any longer than necessary.
Tilt steering wheel
1. Adjust the seat position. Refer to the “Front seats”
section (chapter 1).
2. Push the tilt lock lever down.
3. Move the steering wheel to the desired level.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
5. Make sure that the steering wheel is securely
locked by moving it up and down.
Do not adjust the steering wheel tilt position
whiledriving.Thismaycauselossofvehicle
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