2003 SUBARU FORESTER tow

14
Illustrated index Exterior
12 3 4 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
HSF020BB
1) Engine hood (page 11-5)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-17)
3) Replacing bulbs (page 11-54)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-23)
5) Roof rails (page 8-17)
6) Door locks (page 2-3)
7) Tire pressure (page 11-38)
8) Flat tires (page 9-3)
9) Tire chains (page 8-13)
10) Front fog light switch (page 3-
21)
11) Tie-down/Towing hooks (page
9-13)

15
–
CONTINUED –
1
23
4
5
HSF021BB
1) Rear window defogger switch
(page 3-27)
2) Fuel filler lid and cap (page 7-4)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-20)
4) Tie-down/Towing hook (page 9-
13)
5) Rear gate (page 2-24)

1-44
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

SRS frontal airbag
The driver’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed in the center
portion of the steering wheel. The passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag is stowed near the top of the dashboard
under an “SRS AIRBAG” mark.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the driver’s
and front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags deploy and
supplement the seatbelts by reducing the impact on
the driver’s and front passenger’s head and chest.
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD
SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD
BY PLACING THE CHILD

1-46
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
avoid injuries that can result when the SRS air-
bag contacts an occupant not in proper posi-
tion such as one thrown toward the front of the
car during pre-accident braking.
Do not put any objects over the steering wheel
pad and dashboard. If the SRS frontal airbag
deploys, those objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be propelled inside
the vehicle and cause injury.
Do not attach accessories to the windshield, or
fit an extra-wide mirror over the rear view mir-
ror. If the SRS airbag deploys, those objects
could become projectiles that could seriously
injure vehicle occupants.
HS1085BA
HS1086BA

2-3
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
Door locks Locking and unlocking from the out- side
1) Lock
2) Unlock
To lock the door from the outside with the key, turn the
key toward the rear. To unlock the door, turn the key
toward the front (Driver’s side only).
Pull the outside door handle to open the unlocked
door. 1) Rotate the lock lever rearward.
2) Close the door.
To lock the door from the outside without the key, ro-
tate the lock lever rearward and then close the door.
To lock the door from the outside using the power door
locking switch, push the front side of the switch
(“LOCK” side) and then close the door. In this case, all
closed doors and the rear gate are locked at the same
time.
Always make sure that all doors and the rear gate are
locked before leaving your vehicle.
1
2
HS2012BB
1
2
HS2013BB

3-3
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only
when the selector lever is in the “P” position. Manual transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only
when the key is pushed in while turning it.
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while
the vehicle is being driven or towed because
that will lock the steering wheel, preventing
steering control. And when the engine is turned
off, it takes a much greater effort than usual to
steer.
ACC
In this position the electrical accessories (radio, ciga-
rette lighter, etc.) can be used. ON
This is the normal operating position after the engine
is started. START
The engine is started in this position. The starter
cranks the engine to start it. When the key is released
(after the engine has started), the key automatically
returns to the “ON” position.
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position while the engine is running.
Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the driver’s door
HS2020DA

3-11
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is
not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it clicks.
Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the
cap. Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage the
emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following: Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate that the charging system is not
working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. Oil pressure warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low
and the lubricating system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the engine oil level. If the oil lev-
el is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at the
proper level but the light remains on, contact your
nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.

3-13
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
further details of the EBD system fault warning, refer
to “Brake system warning light”.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below,
the ABS system may be considered normal.The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off. The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle
speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such
as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning
light may come on. This is due to the low battery volt-
age and does not indicate a malfunction. When the
battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. Brake system warning light
Driving with the brake system warning light
on is dangerous. This indicates your brake sys- tem may not be working properly. If the light re-
mains on, have the brakes inspected by a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are
operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following three functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied
while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It goes
out when the parking brake is fully released. Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has
dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid res-
ervoir with the ignition switch in the “ON” position and
with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on while
driving (with the parking brake fully released and with
the ignition switch positioned in “ON”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn brake pads.
If this occurs, immediately stop the vehicle at the near-
est safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the flu-
(U.S.) (Canada)