2003 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

13-4
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Reporting safety defects (USA)
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause in-
jury or death, you should immediately inform
the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying
Subaru of America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems be
tween you, your
dealer, or Subaru of America, Inc. To con-
tact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393
(or 366-0123 in the Washington D.C. area)
or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

14-1
14
Index

14-2
Index
A
ABS ................................................................ 7-22
Warning light ...................................... 3-12, 7-23
Accessory power outlet .................................. 6-9
Active head restraint ....................................... 1-7
Air cleaner element ........................................ 11-19
Air filtration system ......................................... 4-18
Aluminum wheel ............................................. 11-44
Aluminum wheel Cleaning .............................. 10-3
Ambient temperature gauge ........................... 3-9
Antenna system ............................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake warning light (ABS) ........ 3-12, 7-23
Arming the system .......................................... 2-14
Ashtray ........................................................... 6-14
Audio set ........................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ....................... 3-29
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor
(A/ELR) ....................................................... 1-14
Automatic climate control system .................... 4-10
Automatic transmission .................................. 7-14 Capacities .................................................. 12-4
Fluid ........................................................... 11-24
Selector lever ............................................. 7-15
Shift lock release ....................................... 7-18
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ....... 3-12 B
Battery ............................................................. 11-49
Jump starting .............................................. 9-9
Replacing (remote keyless entry) . .............. 2-9
Brake
Booster ....................................................... 11-32
Fluid ............................................................ 11-30
Pad and lining ............................................. 11-36
Parking ....................................................... 11-37
Pedal .......................................................... 11-33
System ....................................................... 7-21
Warning light .............................................. 3-13
Braking ............................................................ 7-21
Braking tips ..................................................... 7-21
Brake pedal ..................................................... 11-33 Free play .................................................... 11-33
Reserve distance ........................................ 11-33
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..... 11-36 Bulb Chart ........................................................... 12-9
Replacing ................................................... 11-54
C
Capacities ....................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ....................... 6-16
Cargo area light ............................................... 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ..................................... 6-18

14-3
Index
Center console ............................................... 6-5
Charge warning light ...................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ............................................. 3-10
Child restraint systems ................................... 1-30 Installation with seatbelt ............................ 1-33
Top tether anchorages .............................. 1-38
Child safety locks ........................................... 2-20
Chime Key ............................................................ 3-3
Seat belt .............................................. 1-15, 3-9
Cigarette lighter socket ................................... 6-11
Clock .............................................................. 3-16
Clutch (MT)
Fluid ........................................................... 11-31
Pedal ......................................................... 11-34
Coat hook ....................................................... 6-16
Coil tray .......................................................... 6-7
Convenience net ............................................ 6-7
Coolant ........................................................... 11-15
Cooling system ............................................... 11-14
Corrosion protection ....................................... 10-4
Cruise control ................................................. 7-31
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 3-15
Cup holders ..................................................... 6-8 D
Dashboard storage compartment ................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-19
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) .................................... 11-26
Rear ........................................................... 11-27
Dimensions ..................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ..................................... 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ......... 7-22
Dome light ...................................................... 6-2
Door locks ...................................................... 2-3
Door open warning light ................................. 3-14
Drive belt ........................................................ 11-21
Driving in foreign country ................................ 8-5
Driving tips............................................... 7-13, 8-6 E
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system 7-25
Emergency locking retractor (ELR) ................ 1-14
Engine Compartment overview .............................. 11-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ................ 8-3
Hood .......................................................... 11-5
Oil .............................................................. 11-9
Coolant ...................................................... 11-15
Overheating ............................................... 9-12
Starting ...................................................... 7-9

14-4
Index
Stopping .................................................... 7-11
Exterior care ................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires ................................................. 9-3, 9-5
Floor mat ........................................................ 6-15
Fluid level Automatic transmission ............................. 11-24
Brake ......................................................... 11-30
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-31
Power steering ........................................... 11-29
Fog light switch ............................................... 3-21
Front differential gear oi l (AT vehicles) ........... 11-26
Front seatbelt pretensioners ........................... 1-27
Front seats ..................................................... 1-2 Fore and aft adjustment ............................. 1-3
Reclining .................................................... 1-4
Front-wheel drive warning light (AT vehicles) . 3-15
Fuel ................................................................ 7-2
Economy hints ........................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-4
Gauge ........................................................ 3-7
Requirements ............................................ 7-2
Fuses ............................................................. 11-50
Fuses and circuits .......................................... 12-6 G
GAWR ............................................................. 8-16
Glove box ........................................................ 6-5
Gross axle weight rating .................................. 8-16
Gross vehicle weight rating ............................. 8-16
GVWR ............................................................. 8-16 H
Hazard warning flasher ................................... 3-5
Headlights ....................................................... 3-17
Headrest adjustment ....................................... 1-10
Headlight flasher ............................................. 3-18
Heater operation ............................................. 4-6
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-15
Hill holder ................................................ 7-29, 11-35
Horn ................................................................ 3-34 I
Ignition switch .................................................. 3-2
Illuminated entry .............................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-20
Indicator light ................................................... 3-9
Inside mirror .................................................... 3-29
Interior lights .................................................... 6-2

14-5
Index
J
Jack and jack handle ...................................... 9-19
Jump starting .................................................. 9-9 K
Key interlock release (AT vehicles) ................ 3-4
Keys ............................................................... 2-2 Key
Number ...................................................... 2-2
Reminder chime ........................................ 3-3
L
Leather seat materials .................................... 10-5
Light control switch ......................................... 3-17
Limited slip differential (LSD) .......................... 7-20
Loading your vehicle ...................................... 8-14
Lower and tether anchorages ......................... 1-35
Low fuel warning light ..................................... 3-14
LSD (limited slip differential) ........................... 7-20
Lumbar support .............................................. 1-5 M
Main fuse ........................................................ 11-53
Maintenance Precautions ................................................ 11-3
Schedule .................................................... 11-3 Seatbelt ..................................................... 1-26
Tools .......................................................... 9-19
Malfunction indicator lamp .............................. 3-10
Manual climate control system ........................ 4-4
Manual transmission ...................................... 7-11 Oil .............................................................. 11-22
Map light ......................................................... 6-3
Maximum load limits ....................................... 8-25
Meters and gears ........................................... 3-5
Mirrors ............................................................ 3-29
Moonroof ................................................ 2-26, 9-18 N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................... 8-2 O
Odometer/Trip meter ...................................... 3-5
Off road driving ............................................... 8-7
Oil pressure warning light ............................... 3-11
Oil filter ........................................................... 11-10
Oil level
Engine ....................................................... 11-9
Manual transmission .................................. 11-22
Rear differential ......................................... 11-27
Outside mirrors ............................................... 3-31
Overhead console .......................................... 6-6

14-6
Index
P
Parking brake ......................................... 7-27, 11-37
Stroke ........................................................ 11-37
Parking light switch ......................................... 3-21
Parking your vehicle ....................................... 7-27
Periodic inspections ....................................... 8-5Power Door locking switches ................................ 2-5
Steering ..................................................... 7-20
Steering fluid level ..................................... 11-29
Windows .................................................... 2-21
R
Rear Combination lights ..................................... 11-61
Differential gear oil level ............................ 11-27
Gate ................................................... 2-24, 9-17
Seats ......................................................... 1-9
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........ 7-20
Rear Window Defogger switch ......................................... 3-27
Wiper and washer switch ........................... 3-25
Remote keyless entry system ........................ 2-6
Replacing Air cleaner element .................................... 11-19
Battery (remote keyless entry) ................... 2-9
Bulbs ......................................................... 11-54 Transmitters ............................................... 2-10
Rocking the vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Roof rail and crossbar ..................................... 8-17 S
Seatbelts ......................................................... 1-12
Seatbelt Maintenance ............................................... 1-26
Pretensioners ............................................. 1-27
Safety tips ................................................... 1-12
Warning light and chime ............................. 3-9
Seats
Fabric ......................................................... 10-5
Heater ......................................................... 1-8
Seat height adjustment (driver’s side) ............. 1-5
Security system ............................................... 2-14
Selector lever (AT vehicles) ............................ 7-15
Self-leveling rear suspension .......................... 7-34
Shift lock release ............................................. 7-18
Shift position indicator ..................................... 3-15
Shopping bag hook ......................................... 6-18
Snow tires ....................................................... 8-12
Snowy and icy roads ....................................... 8-11
Spark plugs ..................................................... 11-20
Specifications .................................................. 12-2
Speedometer ................................................... 3-5
SRS airbags .................................................... 1-39

14-7
Index
SRS
Airbag system warning light ....................... 3-10
Frontal airbag ............................................ 1-44
Side airbag ................................................ 1-51
Storage compartments ................................... 6-4
Sun visors ....................................................... 6-3
Supplemental restraint system airbag ............ 1-39
Synthetic leather upholstery ........................... 10-6 T
Tachometer .................................................... 3-6
Temperature gauge ........................................ 3-8
Tilt steering wheel .......................................... 3-33Tire Chains ....................................................... 8-13
Inspection .................................................. 11-38
Pressures and wear ................................... 11-38
Replacement ............................................. 11-43
Rotation ..................................................... 11-42
Types ......................................................... 11-37
Top tether anchorages ................................... 1-38
Towing ............................................................ 9-13
All wheels on the ground ........................... 9-15
Flat-bed truck ............................................. 9-15
Tie-down hooks .............................................. 9-13 Trailer Connecting ................................................ 8-31 Hitch .......................................................... 8-22
Towing ....................................................... 8-25
Towing tips ................................................ 8-32
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-15
Turn signal lever ............................................. 3-19 U
Under-floor storage compartment ... ............... 6-19
V
Valet mode ..................................................... 2-17
Vanity mirror ................................................... 6-4
Vehicle capacity weight .................................. 8-15
Vehicle identification ....................................... 12-10
Ventilator ........................................................ 4-2 W
Warning and indicator lights ........................... 3-9
Warning lights ABS ........................................................... 3-12
Anti-lock Brake system .............................. 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature ................................. 3-12
Brake system ............................................. 3-13
Charge ....................................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE ....................................... 3-10
Door open .................................................. 3-14