2005 SUBARU FORESTER engine

3-9
Instruments and controls
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fuel injection will be cut by the engine control
module to protect the engine from overrevving.
The engine will resume running normally after
the engine speed is reduced below the red
zone.
„ Fuel gauge
A) Low fuel warning light
The fuel gauge shows the approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the tank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even though the ig-
nition switch is in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. The gauge may move slightly during braking, turning
or acceleration due to fuel level movement in the tank.
NOTE
You will see the “FUEL DOOR ” sign near the
fuel gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door (lid) is locat-
ed on the right side of the vehicle. T
Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is
nearly empty [about 2.3 US gal (9.0 liters, 1.9 Imp
gal)]. It only operates when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
A
HS3022BC
HS3023AA

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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 US gal (15 liters, 3.3 Imp gal).
Promptly put fuel in the tank whenever the low
fuel warning light comes on. If the engine mis-
fired as a result of an empty tank, resulting cat-
alytic converter damage could cause damage
to the turbocharger.
„
Temperature gauge
A) 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.
A
HS3024BC

3-11
Instruments and controls
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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.
„ Outside temperature indicator
MT vehicles
A: U.S.-spec. models
B: Canada-spec. models AT vehicles
A: U.S.-spec. models
B: Canada-spec. models
The outside temperature indicator is located below the
odometer/trip meter. The indicator can indicate an out-
side temperature ranging from –22 to 122 °F (–30 to
50 °C).
The indicator can give a false reading under any of the
following conditions: y When there is too much sun.
y During idling; while running at low speeds in a traffic
jam; when the engine is restarted immediately follow-
ing a shutdown.
AB
US3050BB
AB
US3056BB

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Instruments and controls
y
When the actual outside temperature falls outside
the specified indicator range.Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on
momentarily and then go out when the ignition switch
is initially turned to the “ON” position. This permits
checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position. The following lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indica- tor lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles) ABS warning light
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light (if
equipped)/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator
light (if equipped) Brake system warning light
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles)
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light
(if equipped)
Cruise control indicator light (if equipped)
Cruise control set indicator light (if equipped)
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out

3-13
Instruments and controls
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bulb or a malfunction of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. „Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the seatbelt warning light will come on and the remind-
er chime will sound for about six seconds to remind the
driver to fasten the seatbelt.
The seatbelt warning light will turn off when the driv-
er’s side seatbelt is buckled.
The seatbelt reminder chime will turn off when the
driver’s side seatbelt is buckled or it will turn off auto-
matically after six seconds. „ SRS airbag system warning light
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the SRS airbag system warning light will come on for
about six seconds and go out. This shows the SRS air-
bag and SRS side airbag (if equipped) and seatbelt
pretensioners are in normal operation.
If the warning light exhibits any of the following
conditions, there may be a malfunction in the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag sys- tem. Immediately take your vehicle to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and properly re-
paired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g. SRS air-
bags may inflate in a very minor collision or not
inflate in a severe collision), which may in-
crease the risk of injury.y
Flashing or flickering of the indicator light
y No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi-tion y Continuous illumination of the warning light
yIllumination of the warning light while driving
„ CHECK ENGINE warning light/
Malfunction indicator lamp
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes on while you
are driving, have your vehicle checked/repaired
by your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
Continued vehicle operation without having the
emission control system checked and repaired
as necessary could cause serious damage,

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Instruments and controls
which may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
If this light comes on steadily or blinks while the engine
is running, it may indicate that there is a problem or po-
tential problem somewhere in the emission control
system. T If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving or does not
go out after the engine starts, an emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer immediately.
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. T
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: y Reduce vehicle speed.
y Avoid hard acceleration.
y Avoid steep uphill grades.
y Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
y 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 running, 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

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Instruments and controls
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light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. „Oil pressure warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, 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.
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
„ AT OIL TEMPerature warning
light (AT vehicles)
The AT oil temperature warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and
goes out after about two seconds. If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary to
stop the vehicle, but avoid driving up steep grades or
in stop and go traffic. T
Automatic transmission control system warn-
ing
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indi-
cate that the automatic transmission control system is
not working properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer for service immediately. „ ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after
about two seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system is working
properly.
If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS
system may not work properly.
When the warning light is on, the ABS function
shuts down; however, the conventional brake
(U.S.) (Canada)

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Instruments and controls
system continues to operate normally. y
The warning light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. y The warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position, but it
does not go out even when the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 8 mph (12 km/h). y The warning light comes on during driving.
If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at
the first available opportunity by your SUBARU
dealer.
With a vehicle equipped with an EBD system, the ABS
warning light comes on together with the brake system
warning light if the EBD system becomes faulty. For
further details of the EBD system fault warning, refer
to “Brake system warning light”.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as described be-
low, the ABS system may be considered normal.y The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off.y 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).y
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. „ Vehicle Dynamics Control warn-
ing light (if equipped)/Vehicle Dy-
namics Control OFF indicator
light (if equipped)
This warning light has the function of indicating faults
in the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the func-
tion of indicating that the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system has been deactivated.
It comes on in the event of a fault in the system and is
on when the system is not operating.
This warning light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after the
engine has started. It indicates that the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system is in normal operation. T Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is probably in-