2003 SUBARU FORESTER wipers

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Instruments and controls
Wiper and washer
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.

Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer flu-
id tank is empty. This may cause overheating of
the washer motor. Check the washer fluid level
frequently, such as at fuel stops. Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratch
the glass, damage the wiper blades and cause
the wiper motor to b urn out. Before operating
the wiper on a dry windshield or rear window,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear
window before switching on the wipers. At- tempting to operate the wiper with the blades
frozen to the window glass could cause not
only the wiper blades to be damaged but also
the wiper motor to burn out. If the wiper blade
is frozen to the window glass, be sure to oper-
ate the defroster, wind
shield wiper deicer (if
equipped) or rear window defogger before turn-
ingonthewiper. If the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the window,
the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper
switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly
stop the vehicle in a safe place, turn the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position and clean the
window glass to allow p roper wiper operation.
Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is
unavailable. In areas where water freezes in
winter, use SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid
or the equivalent. (See the “Windshield washer
fluid” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, use non-freezing type
wiper blades. Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiper

3-23
Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
blades.
NOTE The wiper operates only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position. Clean your wiper blades and window glass peri-
odically with a washer solution to prevent streak-
ing, and to remove accumulations of road salt or
road film. Keep the washer button depressed at
least for 1 second so that washer solution will be
sprinkled all over the windshield or rear window. Grease, wax, insects or other material on the
windshield or the wiper blade results in jerky wip-
er operation and streaking on the glass. If you can-
not remove those streaks after operating the
washer or if the wiper operation is jerky, clean the
outer surface of the windshield or rear window
and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft cloth
with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaner.
After cleaning, rinse the window glass and wiper
blades with clean water. The glass is clean if no
beads form on the glass when you rinse with wa-ter. If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after
following this procedure, replace the wiper blades
with new ones. Refer to the “Replacement of wind- shield wiper blades” section (chapter 11) for re-
placement instructions.
Windshield wiper and washer switches
Windshield wipers
1) OFF
2) : Intermittent
3) LO: Low speed
4) HI: High speed
To turn the wipers on, push the wiper control lever
down.
To turn the wipers off, return the lever to the “OFF” po-
1
2
3
4
HS3031BB

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Instruments and controls
sition.
Wiper intermittent time control (if equipped)
When the wiper switch is in the “ ” position, turn
the dial to adjust the operating interval of the wiper.
The operating interval can be adjusted continuously
from the shortest interval to the longest.
Two click stop positions of the dial may help you to aim
at your desired interval.
Mist (for a single wipe)
For a single wipe of the wipers, pull the lever toward
you. The wipers operate until you release the lever.
HS3032BA
HS3033BA

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Instruments and controls
–CONTINUED –
Washer
To wash the windshield, push the washer button at the
end of the wiper control lever. The washer fluid sprays
until you release the washer button. The wipers oper-
ate while you push the button.
Rear window wiper and washer switch
1) INT
2) ON
3) Washer
Rear wiper
Toturntherearwiperon,turntheknobontheendof
the wiper control lever upward.
INT: Intermittent
ON: Normal
To turn the wiper off, return the knob on the end of the
lever to the “OFF” position.
HS3033CA
REARREAR
ONON
OFFINTINT
3
2 1
3
HS3034BB