2003 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

3-34
Instruments and controls
control and result in personal injury.Horn
To sound the horn, push the horn pad.
HS3044BA

4-1
4
Climate control
Ventilator ...................................................... 4-2 Air flow selection ............................................ 4-2
Center and side ventilators ............................ 4-3
Manual climate control system ................... 4-4 Control panel ................................................... 4-4
Heater operation ............................................. 4-6
Air conditioner operation (if equipped) ........ 4-9
Automatic climate control system
(if equipped) ................................................. 4-10 Temperature sensors ..................................... 4-15
Operating tips for heater and air
conditioner ................................................... 4-16 Cleaning ventilation grille .............................. 4-16
Efficient cooling after parking in direct
sunlight ............................................................ 4-17
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant
circuit ............................................................... 4-17
Checking air conditioning system before
summer season .............................................. 4-17
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity
and low temperature weather conditions ..... 4-17
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when
engine is heavily loaded ................................ 4-17
Refrigerant for your climate control system 4-17
Air filtration system (if equipped) ............... 4-18 Replacing an air filter ..................................... 4-18

4-2
Climate control
Climate control
Ventilator
Air flow selection
HS4008BA

4-3
Climate control
– CONTINUED –
Center and side ventilators
Center ventilators
Move the tab up and down or right and left to adjust the
flow direction.
Side ventilators
1) Open
2) Close
Move the tab up and down or right and left to adjust the
flow direction.
To open or close the ventilator, turn the thumb-wheel
up or down.
HS4009BA
HS4010BB
1
2

4-4
Climate control
Manual climate control system
Control panel
1) Temperature control dial
2) Fan speed control dial
3) Air flow control dial
4) Rear window defogger button (Refer to the “Rear win- dow defogger switch” in chapter 3.)
5) Air conditioner button (if equipped)
6) Air inlet selection button
Temperature control dial
This dial regulates the temperature of air flow from the
air outlets over a range from the blue side (cool) to red side (warm).
Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. The fan speed control dial
is used to select four fan speeds. Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument panel outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument panel outlets and
the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the foot outlets and some
through the windshield defroster outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster outlets
and foot outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster outlets.
NOTE
Whenthedialisplacedinthe“ ”or
“ ”position, the air conditioner compressor
operates automatically regardless of the position
of the air conditioner button to defog the wind-
shield quickly. However the indicator on the air
HS4011BB
1
23
4
5
6

4-5
Climate control
– CONTINUED –
conditioner button will not come on. At the same
time, the air inlet selection is automatically set to
“outside air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recirculation”
mode by manually pressing the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air conditioner com-
pressor by pressing the air conditioner button. Air conditioner button (if equipped)
The air conditioner operates only when the engine is
running.
Push the air conditioner button while the fan is in op-
eration to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator light will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner.
Air inlet selection button
ON position (Recirculation): Interior air is recirculat-
ed inside the vehicle. Push the air inlet selection but-
ton to the ON position. The indicator light will come on.
OFF position (Outside air): Outside air is drawn into
the passenger compartment. Push the air inlet selec-
tion button again to the OFF position. The indicator
light will go off.
HS4012BA
HS4012CA

4-6
Climate control
Continued operation with the air inlet selection
button in the ON position may fog up the win-
dows. Switch to the OFF position as soon as
the outside dusty condition clears.
Heater operation
Defrosting or defogging the windshield
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door win-
dows: 1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the
right.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the highest speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner,
when the “ ” or “ ” position is selected, the air
conditioner compressor automatically operates re-
gardless of the position of the air conditioner button to
defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air
outlets. To stop warm air flow from these outlets,
turn the corresponding
thumb-wheel down.
HS4013AA

4-7
Climate control
– CONTINUED –
Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner,
when the “ ” or “ ” position is selected, the air
conditioner compressor automatically operates re-
gardless of the position of the air conditioner button to
defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time.NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air
outlets. To stop warm air flow from these outlets,
turn the corresponding thumb-wheel down. Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF position
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
HS4014AA
HS4015AA