2003 SUBARU FORESTER ECU

2-15
Keys and doors
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1) PresstoArmthesystem.
2) Press to Disarm the system. Security system — indicator light
6. Briefly press the “LOCK/ARM” button (for less than
two seconds). All doors and the rear gate will lock, an
electronic chirp will sound one time, the turn signal
lights will flash one time and the indicator light starts
flashing slowly (approximately once every two sec-
onds).
If any of the doors or the rear gate is not fully closed,
an electronic chirp sounds five times, the turn signal
lights flash five times to alert you that the doors or the
rear gate are not properly closed. When you close the
door, the system will automatically arm and doors will
automatically lock.
1 2
HS2016EBHS2021BA

2-17
Keys and doors
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3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and cycle it
from the “LOCK” to the “ON” position three (3) times
within 5 seconds .
Valet mode
When you choose the valet mode, the security system
does not operate. In valet mode, the remote transmit-
ter is used only for locking and unlocking the doors
and rear gate and panic activation.
To enter the valet mode, open the driver’s door and
keep the “UNLOCK/DISARM” button depressed for
more than two seconds . The security system status
indicator light will continue to flash two times per sec-
ond indicating that the system is in the valet mode.
To exit valet mode, open the driver’s door and keep
the “UNLOCK/DISARM” button pressed for more
than two seconds . The indicator will stop flashing.
NOTE
If the remote transmitter is used to lock or unlock
the doors while the valet mode is selected, the
turn signal lights do not flash but an electronic
chirp is emitted.
Passive arming
When passive arming mode has been programmed by
the dealer, arming of the system is automatically ac-
complished without using the remote transmitter. Note
that in this mode, DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED. To enter the passive mode
0
1. Remove the side sill cover on the driver’s side.
1) Open the driver’s door.
2) Remove the two clips fastening the front portion
of the cover with a screwdriver.
3) Remove the side sill cover by pulling it up.
HS2022BA

2-19
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehicle.
4. Before closing the doors, lock all doors with the in-
side door lock levers.
5. Close the doors. The system will automatically arm
after one minute.
In the passive mode, the system can also be armed
with the remote transmitter or with the power door
locking switches. If the remote transmitter or power
door locking switch is used to lock the vehicle, arming
will take place immediately regardless of whether or
not the passive mode has been selected.
In passive mode, the system will automatically
activate the alarm but WILL NOT automatically
lock the doors. In order to lock the doors you
must either lock them as indicated in step 4
above or with the key once they have been
closed. Failure to lock the doors manually will
result in a higher security risk.
Disarming the system
To disarm the system, briefly press the “UNLOCK/
DISARM” button on the transmitter. Tripped sensor identification
If an electronic chirp sounds four times and the turn
signal lights flash four times when you disarm the sys-
tem, this indicates that the alarm was triggered. The
number of times the indicator light flashes indicates
what sensor caused the alarm condition.
To enter identification mode:
1. Open the driver’s door and leave it open.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position two
times. (“LOCK” “ON” “LOCK” “ON” 
“LOCK”)
3. The indicator light will start flashing.
3
5
4
HS2013DB

3-33
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
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
HS3043BA

4-18
Climate control
Air filtration system (if equipped)
If your vehicle’s air conditioning system is equipped
with an air filtration system, replace the filter element
according to the replacement schedule shown below.
This schedule should be followed to maintain the fil-
ter’s dust collection ability. Under extremely dusty con-
ditions, the filter should be replaced more frequently. It
is recommended that you have your filter checked or
replaced by your SUBARU dealer. For replacement,
use only a genuine SUBARU air filter kit.
Replacement schedule:
Every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km) whichev-
er comes first
Replacing an air filter
0
1. Remove the glove box.
1) Open the glove box.
2) Remove the nine screws securing the glove box.
HS4024BA

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

6-18
Interior equipment
Shopping bag hook
A shopping bag hook is attached to each side of the
cargo area.
To use the hook, pull the lower portion out.
Do not hang items on the shopping bag hook
that weigh 2.2 lbs (1 kg) or more.
Cargo tie-down hooks
The cargo area is equipped with four tie-down hooks
so that cargo can be secured with a cargo net or ropes.
When using the hooks, raise them. When not in use,
lower the hooks.
The cargo tie-down hooks are designed only for
securing light cargo. Never try to secure cargo
that exceeds the capacity of the hooks. The
maximum load capacity is 44 lbs (20 kg) per an
HS6046BAHS6047BA

8-8
Driving tips

Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering
wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure
your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim. If driving through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water and
the bottom of the stream bed for firmness and ensure
that the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly and com-
pletely through the stream. The water should be shal-
low enough that it does not reach the vehicle’s
undercarriage. Water entering the engine air intake or
the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical
parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to
stall. Never attempt to drive through rushing water; re-
gardless of its depth, it can wash away the ground
from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of trac-
tion and even vehicle rollover. Always check your brakes for effectiveness immedi-
ately after driving in sand, mud or water. Do this by
driving slowly and stepping on the brake pedal. Re-
peat that process several times to dry out the brake
discs and brake pads. Do not drive or park over or near flammable materi-
als such as dry grass or fallen leaves, as they may
burn easily. The exhaust system is very hot while the
engine is running and right after the engine stops. This
could create a fire hazard.
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, riv-
ers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stones, sand, etc. adhering to or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter from the under-
body. If the vehicle is use d with these materials
trapped or adhering to the underbody, a mechanical
breakdown or fire could occur. Secure all cargo carried inside the vehicle and make
certain that it is not piled higher than the seatbacks.
During sudden stops or jolts, unsecured cargo could
be thrown around in the vehicle and cause injury. Do
not pile heavy loads on the roof. Those loads raise the
vehicle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to
tip over. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from sand or
mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move
the selector lever back and forth between “D” and “R”
repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the best pos-
sible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when trying to
free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely slippery, you can
obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the
transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT). Never equip your vehicle with tires larger than those
specified in this manual. Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle under hard-driv-
ing conditions such as rough roads or off roads will ne-