2003 SUBARU FORESTER ECO mode

1-14
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Expectant mothers
Expectant mothers also need to use the seatbelts.
They should consult their doctor for specific recom-
mendations. The lap belt should be worn securely and
as low as possible over the hips, not over the waist. Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The driver’s seatbelt has an Emergency Locking Re-
tractor (ELR).
The emergency locking retractor allows normal body
movement but the retractor locks automatically during
a sudden stop, impact or if you pull the belt very quick-
ly out of the retractor.
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retrac-
tor (A/ELR)
Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Automatic/Emer-
gency Locking Retractor (A/ELR). The Automatic/
Emergency Locking Retractor normally functions as
an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). The A/ELR
has an additional locking mode “Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) mode” intended to secure a child re-
straint system. When the seatbelt is once drawn out
completely and is then retracted even slightly, the re-
tractor locks the seatbelt in that position and the seat-
belt cannot be extended. As the belt is rewinding,
clicks will be heard which indicate the retractor func-
tions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is retracted fully,
the ALR mode is released.
When securing a child restraint system on the rear
seats by the use of the seatbelt, the seatbelt must be
changed over to the Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) mode.
When the child restraint system is removed, make
sure that the seatbelt retracts fully and the retractor re-
turned to the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode.
For instructions on how to convert the retractor to the
ALR mode and restore it to the ELR mode, see the
“Child restraint systems” section in this chapter.
HS1107AA

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Keys and doors

Do not let dust, oil or water get on or in the
transmitter when replacing the battery. Be careful not to damage the printed circuit
board in the transmitter when replacing the bat-
tery.
Replacing lost transmitters
If you lose a transmitter or want to purchase additional
transmitters (up to four can be programmed), you
should re-program all of your transmitters for security
reasons. It is recommended that you have your dealer
program all of your transmitters into your system. Programming the transmitters
The keyless entry system is equipped with a special
code learning feature that allows you to program new
transmitter codes into the system or to delete old
ones. The system can learn up to four unique transmit-
ter codes. The four transmitter codes may be the
same or different. To enter the programming mode:
0
1. Press “UNLOCK/DISARM” button to disarm the se-
curity system. (If your vehicle is equipped with the op-
tional security system.)
HS2016CA

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Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
2. Open the driver’s door and sit in the driver’s seat.
3. Close the driver’s door. 1) ON
2) LOCK
4. Place the ignition key into the ignition switch and
cycle the switch from LOCK to ON ten times within 15
seconds . Be sure to stop at the LOCK position. The
horn will sound once to indicate that you are in the
transmitter programming mode.
NOTE
You must finish the nex t step (opening the driver

2-14
Keys and doors
Security system (if equipped)
The security system helps to protect your vehicle and
valuables from theft. The horn sounds and the turn
signal lights flash if someone attempts to break into
your vehicle. The starter motor is also interrupted to
prevent starting the vehicle without a key.
The system can be armed and disarmed with the re-
mote transmitter.
The system does not operate when the key is inserted
into the ignition switch.
System operation
The security system will give the following alarm indi-
cations when triggered: The turn signal lights will flash and the horn will
sound intermittently. In addition, the starter motor will
not operate. The alarm automatically resets after 30 seconds;
however, the alarm will reactivate if the vehicle is tam-
pered with again. The alarm will continue for six times
if any sensor continues to be activated.
The alarm is triggered by: Opening a door or the rear gate.
Application of physical shock to the vehicle (e.g. breaking glass or forced entry). Note that there are two
alarm levels for shock: warning and alarm. In warning
mode, the alarm detects lower level vibrations and
triggers 2 warning chirps on the horn and two flashes
on the lights as a deterrent to would be vandals. In
alarm mode, higher levels of shock are detected and
the system will go into full alarm.
Ignition switch being turned on while in armed state.
NOTE
With the valet mode selected, the security system
does not operate when the remote transmitter is
used for locking and unlocking. The security sys-
tem indicator light in the combination meter flash-
es twice per second to show that the valet mode is
selected. For details, refer to “Valet mode” in this section. Arming the system
To arm the system using remote transmitter
1. Close all windows.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehicle.
4. Make sure that the engine hood is locked.
5. Close all doors and the rear gate.

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Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
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

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Keys and doors
The indicator light provides the following indications.
Flashing one time:
Any door or the rear gate has
been opened.
Flashing three times: The impact sensor in the sys-
tem’s unit has been activated. This may indicate that
your vehicle has been shocked or tampered with by
some outside force and/or unauthorized person.
Flashing four times: The ignition switch has been
turned on or the battery has been disconnected.
NOTE
The battery must be reconnected before the indi-
cator light will flash.
To exit this mode, close the door and turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position.
Child safety locks
1) Lock
2) Unlock
Each rear door has a child safety lock that prevents
the doors from being opened even if the inside door
handle is pulled.
When the child safety lock lever is in the lock position,
the door cannot be opened from inside regardless of
the position of the inner door handle lock lever. The
door can only be opened from the outside.
2
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HS2025BB

3-6
Instruments and controls

Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance that the vehicle
has been driven. Double trip meter
1) A trip meter
2) B trip meter
The trip meter shows the distance that the vehicle has
been driven since you last set it to zero.
To change the mode indication, briefly push the knob.
Each press of the knob changes the function alter-
nately. To set the trip meter to zero, select the A trip or B trip
meter by pushing the knob and keep the knob pushed
for more than 2 seconds.
To ensure safety, do not attempt to change the
function of the indicator during driving, as an
accident could result.
NOTE
If the connection between the combination meter
and battery is broken for any reason such as vehi-
cle maintenance or fuse replacement, the data re-
corded on the trip meter will be lost.
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute.
Do not operate the engine with the pointer of
the tachometer in the red zone. In this range,
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2
HS3021BB
A trip meter B trip meter

3-8
Instruments and controls
NOTE
This light does not go out unless the tank is re-
plenished up to an internal fuel quantity of about
4.0 U.S. gal. (15 liters, 3.3 Imp. gal.).
Temperature gauge
1) Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant temper-
ature when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in accordance with
the outside temperature and driving conditions. We recommend that you drive moderately until the
pointer of the temperature gauge reaches near the
middle of the range. Engine operation is optimum with
the engine coolant at this temperature range and high
revving operation when the engine is not warmed up
enough should be avoided.
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating
range, safely stop the vehicle as soon as possi- ble.
See “In case of emergency” in chapter 9.
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HS3024BB