2003 SUBARU FORESTER change wheel

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch ............................................. 3-2 LOCK ................................................................ 3-2
ACC .................................................................. 3-3
ON ..................................................................... 3-3
START .............................................................. 3-3
Key reminder chime ........................................ 3-3
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ...... 3-4
Hazard warning flasher ............................... 3-5
Meters and gauges ...................................... 3-5 Speedometer ................................................... 3-5
Odometer/Trip meter ...................................... 3-5
Tachometer ...................................................... 3-6
Fuel gauge ....................................................... 3-7
Temperature gauge ......................................... 3-8
Ambient temperature gauge .......................... 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ...................... 3-9 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................. 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light .................. 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ................................................. 3-10
Charge warning light ...................................... 3-11
Oil pressure warning light .............................. 3-11
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles) .............................................. 3-12
ABS warning light ........................................... 3-12
Brake system warning light ........................... 3-13
Door open warning lights ............................... 3-14
Low fuel warning light .................................... 3-14
Front-wheel drive warning light
(for AT vehicles) .............................................. 3-15
Shift position indicator (AT vehicles) ........... 3-15 Turn signal indicator lights ............................ 3-15
High beam indicator light ............................... 3-15
Cruise control indicator light ......................... 3-15
Clock ............................................................. 3-16
Light control switch ..................................... 3-17 Headlights ....................................................... 3-17
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................. 3-18
Headlight flasher ............................................. 3-18
Daytime running light system ....................... 3-19
Turn signal lever .......................................... 3-19
Illumination brightness control .................. 3-20
Parking light switch ..................................... 3-21
Fog light switch (if equipped) ..................... 3-21
Wiper and washer ........................................ 3-22 Windshield wiper and washer switches ....... 3-23
Rear window wiper and washer switch ........ 3-25
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ....... 3-26
Rear window defogger switch .................... 3-27
Mirrors ........................................................... 3-29 Inside mirror .................................................... 3-29
Outside mirrors ............................................... 3-31
Tilt steering wheel ........................................ 3-33
Horn ............................................................... 3-34

3-15
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
4.0U.S.gal.(15liters,3.3Imp.gal.). Front-wheel drive warning light
(for AT vehicles)
This light comes on when All Wheel Drive is disen-
gaged and the drive mechanism is switched to Front
Wheel Drive for maintenance or similar purposes. Shift position indicator (AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the shift lever. Turn signal indicator lights
These lights show the operation of the turn signal or
lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink rapidly, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out. Replace the bulb
as soon as possible. Refer to the “Replacing bulbs”
section in chapter 11. High beam indicator light
This light shows that the headlights are in the high
beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when the headlight
flasher is operated.
Cruise control indicator light
This light comes on when the “CRUISE” main switch
is pressed.

7-11
Starting and operating
–CONTINUED –
Stopping the engine
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the
engine is idling.
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is mov-
ing. This will cause loss of power to the power
steering and the brake booster, making steer-
ing and braking more difficult. It could also re-
sult in accidental activation of the “LOCK”
position on the ignition switch, causing the
steering wheel to lock.
Manual transmission
The manual transmission is a fully synchromeshed 5-
forward and 1-reverse speed transmission.
The shift pattern is shown on the shift lever knob.
When shifting from 5th gear to reverse gear, first re-
turn the shift lever to the neutral position then shift into
reverse gear.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch pedal, move
the shift lever, and gradually let up on the clutch pedal.
If it is difficult to shift into gear, put the transmission in
neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and
then try again.
135
24R
N
135
24R
HS7008BA

8-16
Driving tips
The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by
weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum
load you can carry in your vehicle is shown as the Ve-
hicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label at-
tached to the driver’s side door jamb. It includes the
total weight of driver and all passengers and their be-
longings, any optional equipment such as a trailer
hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue
load of a trailer.
The tire information label also shows recommended
tire inflation pressure under full loading and trailer tow-
ing conditions. Adjust tire inflation pressures accord-
ing to the loading conditions. For the tire inflation
pressures, refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in
Chapter 11.

GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
The certification plate attached to the driver’s side
door jamb shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).
The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never exceed
the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of weight of the
vehicle, fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any op-
tional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore,
the GVW changes depending on the situation. The
GVWR equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle – including standard equipment, fluids, emergen-
HS8007BA

11 -4 3
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km),
check the wheel nuts again and retighten any nut that
has become loose. Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important and integral parts
of your vehicle’s design; they cannot be changed arbi-
trarily. The tires fitted as standard equipment are opti-
mally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and
were selected to give the best possible combination of
running performance, ride comfort, and service life. It
is essential for every tire to have a size and construc-
tion matching those shown on the tire placard and to
have a speed symbol and load index matching those
shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from con-
trollability, ride comfort, braking performance, speed-
ometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also
creates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappro-
priately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufactur-
er, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You
are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends re- placing all four tires at the same time.

All four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construc-
tion, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index
and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or
degrees of wear can result in damage to vehi-
cle

11 - 4 4
Maintenance and service
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Aluminum wheels (If equipped)
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety.
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque. Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel. Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel. When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.

12-2
Specifications
Specifications
Specifications
These specifications are subject to change without notice.
Dimensions
in (mm)
*1: Measured with vehicle empty
Item2.5-liter
XXS
Drive systemAWD
Transmission typeAutomatic
transmissionManual
transmissionAutomatic
transmissionManual
transmission
Overall length175.2 (4450)
Overall width68.3 (1735)
Overall height62.6 (1590)
Wheel base99.4 (2525)
TreadFront58.9 (1495)
Rear58.5 (1485)
Ground clearance* 17.5 (190)