2003 SUBARU FORESTER light

3-26
Instruments and controls

Washer
To wash the rear window while the rear wiper is oper-
ating, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control le-
ver counterclockwise to the “ ” position. The
washer fluid sprays until you release the knob.
To wash the rear window when the rear wiper is not in
use, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control lever
clockwise to the “ ” position. The washer fluid
sprays and the wiper operates until you release the
knob.Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped)
The windshield wiper deicer operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
Before turning on the windshield wiper deicer, remove
any snow from the windshield. To turn on the wind-
shield wiper deicer, push the switch. The indicator light
located on the switch lights up while the windshield
wiper deicer is operating.
The windshield wiper deicer will automatically shut off
after about 15 minutes. If the wiper blades have been
deiced completely 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 deicing is
HS3045AA

3-28
Instruments and controls
Automatic climate control system
The rear window defogger operates only when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” position.
The rear window defogger switch is located on the cli-
mate control panel.
The defogger will automatically shut off after about 15
minutes. If the window clears before that time, push
the switch to turn it off. It also turns off when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
If defrosting or defogging is desired when you restart
your vehicle, you have to push the switch to turn it on
again.
To turn on the defogger, push the switch. To turn it off, push the switch again.
The indicator light located on the switch lights up while
the rear window defogger is operating.

Do not use sharp instruments or window
cleaner containing abrasives to clean the inner
surface of the rear window. They may damage
the conductors printed on the window. To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not operate the defogger continu-
ously for any longer than necessary.HS4021DA

3-29
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
Mirrors
Always check that the inside and outside mirrors are
properly adjusted before you start driving. Inside mirror
1) Tab
The inside mirror has a day and night position. Pull the
tab at the bottom of the mirror toward you for the night
position. Push it away for the day position. The night
position reduces glare from headlights.
Auto-dimming mirror/com pass (if equipped)
1) Left button
2) Auto dimming indicator
3) Photosensor
4) Right button
The inside electronic compass mirror has an anti-glare
feature which automatically reduces glare coming
from headlights of vehicles behind you. It also con-
tains a built-in compass. By pressing and releasing the left button, the auto-
matic dimming function is toggled on or off. When the
automatic dimming function is on, the auto dimming in-
dicator light (green) located to the right of the button
1HS3036BB
1
23 4
HS3037BB

3-30
Instruments and controls
will illuminate.
By pressing and releasing the right button, the com-
pass display is toggled on or off. When the compass is
on, an illuminated compass reading will appear in the
lower part of the mirror.
Even with the mirror in anti-glare mode, the mirror sur-
face turns bright if the transmission is shifted into re-
verse. This is to ensure good rearward visibility during reversing. Photosensors
The mirror has a photosensor attached on both the
front and back sides. If the glare from the headlights of
vehicles behind you strikes the mirror, these sensors detect it and make the reflection surface of the mirror
dimmer to help prevent you from being blinded. For
this reason, use care not to cover the sensors with
stickers, or other similar items. Periodically wipe the
sensors clean using a piece of dry soft cotton cloth or
an applicator.
Compass calibration
1. For optimum calibration, switch off all nonessential
electrical accessories (rear window defogger, heater/
air conditioning system, spotlight, etc.) and ensure all
doors are shut.
2. Drive to an open, level area away from large metal-
lic objects or structures and make certain the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
3. Press and hold the left button for 3 seconds then re-
lease, and the compass will enter the calibration
mode. “CAL” and direction will be displayed.
4. Drive slowly in a circle until “CAL” disappears from
the display (about two or three circles).
5. The compass is now calibrated. Further calibration
is not required. The compass will automatically cali-
brate from this point forward.
HS3038BA

3-32
Instruments and controls
determine the actual size and distance of ob-
jects that you view in convex mirror.
Remote control mirror switch
1) Selection switch
2) Direction control switch
The remote control mirrors operate only when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
1. Press either end of the selection switch, “L” for the
left, “R” for the right.
2. Move the direction control switch in the direction
youwanttomovethemirror. 3. Return the selection switch to the neutral position
to prevent unintentional operation.
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually.
Outside mirror defogger
1) Outside mirror defogger switch (if equipped)
2) Outside mirror defogger and Windshield wiper deicer switch (if equipped)
The outside mirror defogger operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
To turn on the outside mirror defogger, push the
switch. To turn it off, push the switch again. The indi-
cator light located on the switch lights up while the out-
MIRRMIRROROR
LR1
2
HS3041BB
12
HS3046AB

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

4-5
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