2003 SUBARU FORESTER Arm

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

4-8
Climate control
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.
Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of different temper-
atures from the instrument panel and foot outlets. The
air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than from the
instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF posi- tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired tem- perature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully turned to the
red area or blue area decreases the temperature dif-
ference between the air from the instrument panel out-
lets and the air from the foot outlets.
Ventilation
To force outside air through the instrument panel out-
lets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF posi- tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the way left.
HS4016AA
HS4017AA

4-10
Climate control

Defrosting or defogging
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door win-
dows:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the red side.
3. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed.
The air conditioner compressor automatically oper-
ates when the air flow control dial set in the “ ” or
“ ” position to provide better defogging perfor-
mance.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time. Automatic climate control system (if
equipped)
NOTE
Operate the automatic climate control system
when the engine is running. When the engine coolant is cold, the blower
does not run. In the “AUTO” mode, when the air temperature
in the passenger compartment is sufficiently cool,
the air conditioner compressor does not operate.
For efficient defogging or dehumidifying in cold
weather, press the “A/C” switch on. Even when cooling is not necessary, setting the
temperature much lower than the current outlet air
temperature turns on the air conditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C” indicator light on
the control panel comes on.
The automatic climate control system automatically
controls outlet air temperature, fan speed, air flow dis-
tribution air-inlet control, and air conditioner compres-
sor operation. It activates when the “AUTO” switch is
pressed, and is used in conjunction with the Temper-
ature control dial to maintain a constant, comfortable
climate within the passenger compartment.
The temperature can be set within a range of 65 –
HS4013AA

6-6
Interior equipment

Overhead console
To open the console, push on the console lid lightly
and the lid will automatically open.
When your vehicle is in the sun or a warm day,
the inside of the overhead console heats up.
Avoid storing plastic o r other heat-vulnerable
or flammable articles such as a lighter in the
overhead console.
Dashboard storage compartment
To open the dashboard compartment, push the button
on the lid and the lid will automatically open. Be sure
to close the compartment fully before driving.
HS6052BAHS6053BA

7-9
Starting and operating
–CONTINUED –
Starting the engine
Do not operate the starter motor continuously
for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to
start after operating the starter for five to ten
seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before
trying again.
Manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift
lever into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor
while starting the engine.
The starter motor will only operate when the clutch
pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicator lights.
Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section
(chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started. If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a
while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position again while depressing the accelerator pedal
half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injection
system automatically lowers the idle speed as the en-
gine warms up.
Automatic transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position
(preferably “P” position).
The starter motor will only operate when the select le-
ver is at the “P” or “N” position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicator lights.
Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section
(chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a
while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position again while depressing the accelerator pedal

7-10
Starting and operating
half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone out after the engine has started. The fuel injec-
tion system automatically lowers the idle speed as the
engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the
selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that the
parking brake is applied.
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift the selector lever into the “N” po-
sition. Do not attempt to place the selector lever
of a moving vehicle into the “P” position.
Starting the engine during cold weath-
er below –4 °F(–20 °C)
If the engine is difficult to start using the normal meth-
od (without depressing the accelerator pedal), turn the
ignition switch to the “START” position while slightly
depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting a flooded engine
If the engine does not start, it may be flooded (exces-
sive fuel in the engine).
In case of a flooded engine, turn the starter motor for
five seconds with the accelerator pedal fully de-
pressed. Repeat this two or three times until the en-
gine starts. Release the ignition switch and
accelerator pedal as soon as the engine starts.

7-20
Starting and operating
Rear viscous limited slip differential
(LSD) (if equipped)
The LSD provides optimum distribution of power ac-
cording to the difference in revolutions between the
right and left rear wheels that may be caused by cer-
tain driving conditions, thereby improving driving sta-
bility on snow-covered, muddy or other slippery roads.

Never start the engine while a tire on one side
is jacked up, as the vehicle may move. If one rear tire is spinning in mud, avoid con-
tinued spinning at high speed as this could ad-
versely affect the LSD. If a different size rear tire is temporarily used
(as in an emergency), it will adversely affect the
LSD. Always replace it with a regular size tire as
soon as possible.
Power steering
The power steering system operates only when the
engine is running.
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
NOTE
Right after the engine has been started and before
it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming
from areas adjacent to the power steering pump
which is located at the right-front area of the en-
gine compartment. This noise is normal. It does
not indicate power steering system trouble.
Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully
locked position left or right for more than five
seconds. This may damage the power steering
pump.