2003 SUBARU FORESTER warning light

2-14
Keys and doors
Security system (if equipped)
The security system helps to protect your vehicle and
valuables from theft. The horn sounds and the turn
signal lights flash if someone attempts to break into
your vehicle. The starter motor is also interrupted to
prevent starting the vehicle without a key.
The system can be armed and disarmed with the re-
mote transmitter.
The system does not operate when the key is inserted
into the ignition switch.
System operation
The security system will give the following alarm indi-
cations when triggered: The turn signal lights will flash and the horn will
sound intermittently. In addition, the starter motor will
not operate. The alarm automatically resets after 30 seconds;
however, the alarm will reactivate if the vehicle is tam-
pered with again. The alarm will continue for six times
if any sensor continues to be activated.
The alarm is triggered by: Opening a door or the rear gate.
Application of physical shock to the vehicle (e.g. breaking glass or forced entry). Note that there are two
alarm levels for shock: warning and alarm. In warning
mode, the alarm detects lower level vibrations and
triggers 2 warning chirps on the horn and two flashes
on the lights as a deterrent to would be vandals. In
alarm mode, higher levels of shock are detected and
the system will go into full alarm.
Ignition switch being turned on while in armed state.
NOTE
With the valet mode selected, the security system
does not operate when the remote transmitter is
used for locking and unlocking. The security sys-
tem indicator light in the combination meter flash-
es twice per second to show that the valet mode is
selected. For details, refer to “Valet mode” in this section. Arming the system
To arm the system using remote transmitter
1. Close all windows.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehicle.
4. Make sure that the engine hood is locked.
5. Close all doors and the rear gate.

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch ............................................. 3-2 LOCK ................................................................ 3-2
ACC .................................................................. 3-3
ON ..................................................................... 3-3
START .............................................................. 3-3
Key reminder chime ........................................ 3-3
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ...... 3-4
Hazard warning flasher ............................... 3-5
Meters and gauges ...................................... 3-5 Speedometer ................................................... 3-5
Odometer/Trip meter ...................................... 3-5
Tachometer ...................................................... 3-6
Fuel gauge ....................................................... 3-7
Temperature gauge ......................................... 3-8
Ambient temperature gauge .......................... 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ...................... 3-9 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................. 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light .................. 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ................................................. 3-10
Charge warning light ...................................... 3-11
Oil pressure warning light .............................. 3-11
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles) .............................................. 3-12
ABS warning light ........................................... 3-12
Brake system warning light ........................... 3-13
Door open warning lights ............................... 3-14
Low fuel warning light .................................... 3-14
Front-wheel drive warning light
(for AT vehicles) .............................................. 3-15
Shift position indicator (AT vehicles) ........... 3-15 Turn signal indicator lights ............................ 3-15
High beam indicator light ............................... 3-15
Cruise control indicator light ......................... 3-15
Clock ............................................................. 3-16
Light control switch ..................................... 3-17 Headlights ....................................................... 3-17
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................. 3-18
Headlight flasher ............................................. 3-18
Daytime running light system ....................... 3-19
Turn signal lever .......................................... 3-19
Illumination brightness control .................. 3-20
Parking light switch ..................................... 3-21
Fog light switch (if equipped) ..................... 3-21
Wiper and washer ........................................ 3-22 Windshield wiper and washer switches ....... 3-23
Rear window wiper and washer switch ........ 3-25
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ....... 3-26
Rear window defogger switch .................... 3-27
Mirrors ........................................................... 3-29 Inside mirror .................................................... 3-29
Outside mirrors ............................................... 3-31
Tilt steering wheel ........................................ 3-33
Horn ............................................................... 3-34

3-7
Instruments and controls
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fuel injection will be cut by the engine control
module to protect the engine from overrevving.
The engine will resume running normally after
the engine speed is reduced below the red
zone.
Fuel gauge
1) Low fuel warning light
The fuel gauge shows the approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the tank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even though the ig-
nition switch is in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. The gauge may move slightly during braking, turning
or acceleration due to fuel level movement in the tank.
NOTE
You will see the “FUEL DOOR ” sign near the
fuel gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door (lid) is locat-
ed on the right side of the vehicle.
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, 1.9 Imp.
gal.]. It only operates when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
1
HS3022BB
HS3023AA

3-9
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
Ambient temperature gauge
The ambient temperature gauge shows the ambient
temperature in a range from –22 °Fto122 °F(–30 °Cto
50 °C).
The gauge can give a false reading under any of the
following conditions: When there is too much sun.
During idling; while running at low speeds in a traffic
jam; when the engine is restarted immediately follow-
ing a shutdown. When the actual ambient temperature falls outside
the specified indicator range.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” position. 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:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indica-
tor lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles)
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out
bulb or a malfunction 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 remind-
er chime will sound for about six seconds to remind the
HS3047BA

3-10
Instruments and controls
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 by bucking
the driver’s side seatbelt or turn off automatically after
six seconds.
SRS airbag system warning light
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 air-
bag and SRS side airbag (if equipped) and seatbelt
pretensioners are in normal operation.
If this light comes on while driving or remains illuminat-
ed even after a period of about 6 seconds from when
the ignition has been turned on, it may indicate that the
SRS airbag system or SRS side airbag system (if
equipped) or seatbelt pretensioner system is not work-
ing properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately.
CHECK ENGINE warning light/
Malfunction indicator lamp
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes on while you
are driving, have your vehicle checked/repaired
by your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
Continued vehicle operation without having the
emission control system checked and repaired
as necessary could cause serious damage,
which may not be covered by your vehicle

3-11
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is
not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it clicks.
Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the
cap. Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage the
emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following: Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate that the charging system is not
working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. Oil pressure warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low
and the lubricating system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the engine oil level. If the oil lev-
el is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at the
proper level but the light remains on, contact your
nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.

3-12
Instruments and controls
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
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 tem-
perature 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 warn-
ing
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indi-
cate that the automatic 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.
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 these occur, have the ABS system repaired at
the first available opportunity by your SUBARU
dealer.
With a vehicle equipped with an EBD system, the ABS
warning light comes on together with the brake system
warning light if the EBD system becomes faulty. For
(U.S.) (Canada)

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Instruments and controls
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further details of the EBD system fault warning, refer
to “Brake system warning light”.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below,
the ABS system may be considered normal.The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off. The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle
speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/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 engine is jump started, the ABS warning
light may come on. This is due to the low battery volt-
age and does not indicate a malfunction. When the
battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. Brake system warning light
Driving with the brake system warning light
on is dangerous. This indicates your brake sys- tem may not be working properly. If the light re-
mains on, have the brakes inspected by a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are
operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following three 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 res-
ervoir with the ignition switch in 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 positioned in “ON”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn brake pads.
If this occurs, immediately stop the vehicle at the near-
est safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the flu-
(U.S.) (Canada)