2003 SUBARU FORESTER fuel

3-14
Instruments and controls
id level is below the “MIN” mark in the reservoir, do not
drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle towed to the near-
est SUBARU dealer for repair.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning (for vehicles with EBD)
The brake system warning light also illuminates if a
malfanction occurs in the EBD system. In that event, it
comes on together with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be faulty if the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simulta-
neously during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conventional braking
system will still function. However, the rear wheels will
be more prone to locking when the brakes are applied
harder than usual and the vehicle’s motion may there-
fore become somewhat harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS warning
light illuminate simultaneously, take the followingsteps:
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place. If
you cannot avoid parking the vehicle on a slope, use
chocks to prevent the vehicle from moving.
2. Shut down the engine, then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both warning lights go
out, the system is normal and no further action is nec- essary.
4. If both warning lights come on again and stay illu- minated after the engine has been restarted, shut
down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and
check the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “MIN” mark,
the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspect-
ed.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO
NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed
to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
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. Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is
nearly empty about 2.3 U.S. gal. (9.0 liters, or 1.9 Imp.
gal.). It only operates when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
NOTE
This light does not go out unless the tank is re-
plenished up to an internal fuel quantity of about

3-22
Instruments and controls
Wiper and washer
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.

Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer flu-
id tank is empty. This may cause overheating of
the washer motor. Check the washer fluid level
frequently, such as at fuel stops. Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratch
the glass, damage the wiper blades and cause
the wiper motor to b urn 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 frozen to the windshield or rear
window before switching on the wipers. At- tempting to operate the wiper with the blades
frozen to the 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 oper-
ate the defroster, wind
shield wiper deicer (if
equipped) or rear window defogger before turn-
ingonthewiper. If the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the window,
the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper
switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly
stop the vehicle in a safe place, turn the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position and clean the
window glass to allow p roper wiper operation.
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 the “Windshield washer
fluid” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, 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 the wiper

6-15
Interior equipment
–CONTINUED –
Floor mat
A retaining pin is located on the driver’s side of the ve-
hicle next to the fuel filler door release.
The floor mat is secured using the built-in grommet, by
placing the grommet over the pin and pushing down-
ward.
Make sure the driver

7-1
7
Starting and operating
Fuel ............................................................... 7-2 Fuel requirements ........................................... 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ...................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) .............. 7-6
Preparing to drive ........................................ 7-8
Starting the engine ...................................... 7-9 Manual transmission vehicle ......................... 7-9
Automatic transmission vehicle .................... 7-9
Starting the engine during cold weather below –4°F (–20 °C) .................................................... 7-10
Starting a flooded engine ............................... 7-10
Stopping the engine .................................... 7-11
Manual transmission ................................... 7-11 Shifting speeds ............................................... 7-12
Driving tips ...................................................... 7-13
Automatic transmission .............................. 7-14 Selector lever for automatic transmission ... 7-15
Shift lock release ............................................ 7-18
Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD)
(if equipped) ................................................. 7-20
Power steering ............................................. 7-20
Braking ......................................................... 7-21 Braking tips ..................................................... 7-21
Brake system ................................................... 7-21
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ...... 7-22
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ................... 7-22 ABS system self-check .................................. 7-23
ABS warning light ........................................... 7-23 Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system (if equipped) .................................... 7-25
Steps to take if EBD system fails .................. 7-25
Parking your vehicle .................................... 7-27 Parking brake .................................................. 7-27
Parking tips ..................................................... 7-27
Hill holder (for manual transmission — if equipped) .................................................. 7-29
Cruise control (if equipped) ........................ 7-31 To set cruise control ...................................... 7-31
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ..... 7-32
To turn off the cruise control ......................... 7-32
To change the cruising speed ....................... 7-32
Self-leveling rear suspension (if equipped) 7-34

7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operating
Fuel
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an
inappropriate fuel additive may cause engine
damage.
Fuel requirements
The 2.5 Liter engine is designed to operate using un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher. Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Oc-
tane and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly re-
ferred to as the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause
persistent and heavy knocking, which can damage the
engine. Do not be concerned if your vehicle some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service
technician if you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or persistently.
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed to accept
only an unleaded gasoline filler nozzle. Under no cir-
cumstances should leaded gasoline be used because
it will damage the emission control system and may
impair driveability and fuel economy. Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s low emission
vehicle (LEV) standards as indicated on the under-
hood tune-up label. It is designed to optimize engine
and emission performance with gasoline that meets
the clean burning low-sulfur California gasoline speci-
fications. If you live in any other state than California,
your vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting Federal
specifications. Gasoline sold outside California is per-
mitted to have higher sulfur levels, which may affect
the performance of your vehic le’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or smell.
SUBARU recommends that you try a different brand of
unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if
the problem is fuel related before returning your vehi-
cle to an authorized dealer for service. Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. This helps keep your engine in tune and your

7-3
Starting and operating
–CONTINUED –
emission control system working properly, and is a
way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continu-
ously use a high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never need to add any
fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the
air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl or grain
alcohol) may be used in your vehicle, but should con-
tain no more than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the
proper operation of your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now produc-
ing reformulated gasolines, which are designed to re-
duce vehicle emissions. SUBARU approves the use of
reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should
ask your service station operators if their gasolines
contain detergents and oxygenates and if they have
been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
As additional guidance, only use fuels suited for your
vehicle as explained below. Fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating
no lower than that specified in this manual. Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline. Methanol can be used
in your vehicle
ONLYif it does not exceed 5% of the
fuel mixture ANDif it is accompanied by sufficient
quantities of the proper cosolvents and corrosion in-
hibitors required to prevent damage to the fuel system.
Do not use fuel containing methanol EXCEPTunder
these conditions. If undesirable driveability problems are experienced
and you suspect they may be fuel related, try a differ-
ent brand of gasoline before seeking service at your
SUBARU dealer. Fuel system damage or driveability problems which
result from the use of improper fuel are not covered
under the SUBARU Limited Warranty.
Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of
the vehicle. Fuels containing alcohol may
cause paint damage, which is not covered un-
der the SUBARU Limited Warranty.

7-4
Starting and operating

Fuel filler lid and cap
Refueling
0
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid release lever
up.
HS7005BA
HS7006BA

7-5
Starting and operating
–CONTINUED –
1) Open
2) Close
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it slowly coun-
terclockwise.
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. Before
refueling, always first stop the engine and make
sure that there are no lighted cigarettes, open
flames or electrical sparks in the adjacent area. When opening the cap, do not remove the
cap quickly. Fuel may be under pressure and
spray out of the fuel filler neck especially in hot
weather, which may cause injury.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler pump auto-
matically stops. Do not add any more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise until you hear
a clicking noise. Be certain not to catch the tether un-
der the cap while tightening.
5. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface, rinse it off
immediately. Otherwise, the painted surface could be
damaged.
NOTE
If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or
if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK
ENGINE warning light may come on. Refer to the
“Warning and indicator lights” section located in
chapter 3.
Never add any cleaning agents to the fuel
tank. The addition of a cleaning agent may
cause damage to the fuel system. Make sure that the cap is tightened until it
clicks to prevent fuel spillage in the event of an
accident.
1 2
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