2006 SUBARU FORESTER ignition

Instruments and controls
3-3
– CONTINUED –
Instruments and controls
Ignition switchThe ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
NOTEyKeep the ignition switch in the
“LOCK” position when the engine is
not running.
y Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the ignition switch in the
“ON” or “ACC” position can cause the
battery to go dead.
If the ignition switch will not move from
the “LOCK” position to the “ACC” po-
sition, turn the steering wheel slightly
to the left and right as you turn the ig-
nition switch.
y If the key is attached to a keyholder
or to a large bunch of other keys, cen-
trifugal force may act on it as the vehi-
cle moves, resulting in unwanted turn-
ing of the ignition switch. Also, if a
large keyholder is attached to the key, your knees or hands may accidentally
touch it in a way that turns the ignition
switch.
„
LOCKThe key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the right and left as
you turn the key.
T Automatic transmission vehicles
yNever turn the ignition switch to
“LOCK” while the vehicle is being
driven or towed because that will
lock the steering wheel, prevent-
ing steering control. And when
the engine is turned off, it takes a
much greater effort than usual to
steer.yBefore leaving the vehicle, always
remove the key from the ignition
switch for safety and never allow
an unattended child to remain in
the vehicle. Failure to follow this
procedure could result in injury to
a child or others. Children could
operate the power windows, the
sunroof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move.
300564
300565
ProCarManuals.com

3-4
Instruments and controls
The key can be turned from “ACC” to
“LOCK” only when the selector lever is in
the “P” position.
TManual transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only when the key is pushed in
while turning it.
„
ACCIn this position the electrical accessories
(radio, accessory power outlet, etc.) can
be used.„ONThis is the normal operating position after
the engine is started.„STARTThe 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.T For models with immobilizer
If you fail to start your engine with your
registered key, once pull out the key (at
this time, the security indicator light
blinks), and then insert the key in the igni-
tion switch and turn it to the “START” po- sition and again try to start your engine.
NOTEThe engine may not start in the follow-
ing cases:
y
The key grip is touching another key
or a metallic key holder.
300566300115
Do not turn the ignition switch to the
“START” position while the engine
is running.
300567
ProCarManuals.com

Instruments and controls
3-5
yThe key is near another key that con-
tains an immobilizer transponder.„ Key reminder chimeThe reminder chime sounds when the
driver’s door opens and the key is in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” positions. The chime
stops when the key is removed from the
ignition switch.NOTEThe ignition switch light flashes when
the reminder chime sounds.„Ignition switch light (if
equipped)For easy access to the ignition switch in
the dark, the ignition switch light comes on when the driver’s door is opened. After
closing the door, the light remains lit for 5
seconds and then dims before it goes out.
The light flashes if you insert the key into
the ignition switch with the driver’s door
open.
„
Key interlock release (AT ve-
hicles only)If the key can not be turned to the “LOCK”
position even when the selector lever is in
the “P” position:
1. Take out the screwdriver.
2. Remove the cover under the steering
column using a Phillips screwdriver. 3. Turn the ignition key while pressing the
key interlock release lever.
Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately to have the key inter-
lock system repaired.
300568
300569
300570
ProCarManuals.com

3-6
Instruments and controls
Hazard warning flasherThe hazard warning flasher is used to
warn other drivers when you have to park
your vehicle under emergency conditions.
The hazard warning flasher works with the
ignition switch in any position.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher,
push the hazard warning button on the in-
strument panel. To turn off the flasher,
push the button again.NOTEWhen the hazard warning flasher is on,
the turn signals do not work.
Meters and gauges„SpeedometerThe speedometer shows the vehicle
speed.„Odometer/Trip meter1) Trip meter
2) OdometerThis meter displays the odometer and two
trip meters when the ignition switch is in
the “ON” position.NOTEEven with the ignition switch in the
“OFF” or “LOCK” position, the odome-
ter and trip meters are displayed for 10
seconds when you press the knob. T
Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance
that the vehicle has been driven.
T Double trip meter
1) A trip meter
2) B trip meterThe 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 func-
tion alternately.
To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
300117
1
2
300571
1 2
300572
A trip meter B trip meter
ProCarManuals.com

Instruments and controls
3-7
– CONTINUED –
trip or B trip meter by pushing the knob
and keep the knob pushed for more than
2 seconds.NOTEIf the connection between the combi-
nation meter and battery is broken for
any reason such as vehicle mainte-
nance or fuse replacement, the data re-
corded on the trip meter will be lost.„TachometerThe tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute.
„Fuel gauge1) Low fuel warning lightThe fuel gauge shows the approximate
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even though the ignition switch is in the “ACC”
or “LOCK” position.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning or acceleration due to fuel lev-
el movement in the tank.
NOTEYou will see the “FUEL DOOR ” sign
near the fuel gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door
(lid) is located 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 [approximately
2.3 US gal (9.0 liters, 1.9 Imp gal)]. It only
operates when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
To ensure safety, do not attempt to
change the function of the indicator
during driving, as an accident could
result.
Do not operate the engine with the
pointer of the tachometer in the red
zone. In this range, fuel injection will
be cut by the engine control module
to protect the engine from overrev-
ving. The engine will resume run-
ning normally after the engine
speed is reduced below the red
zone.
1
300573
300121
ProCarManuals.com

3-8
Instruments and controls
NOTEThis light does not go out unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3.3 Imp gal).„Temperature gauge1) Normal operating rangeThe temperature gauge shows engine
coolant temperature when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in ac-
cordance 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. En-
gine 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.
„
Outside temperature indica-
torMT vehicles
1) U.S.-spec. models
2) Canada-spec. models
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
comes on. Engine misfires as a re-
sult of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
1
300574
If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible.
See “In case of emergency” in chap-
ter 9.
12
300575
ProCarManuals.com

Instruments and controls
3-9
– CONTINUED –
AT vehicles
1) U.S.-spec. models
2) Canada-spec. modelsThe outside temperature indicator is locat-
ed below the odometer/trip meter. The in-
dicator can indicate an outside tempera-
ture ranging from –22 to 122 °F (–30 to
50° C).
The indicator can give a false reading un-
der 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 following a shut-
down.
y When the actual outside temperature
falls outside the specified indicator range.
Warning and indicator lightsSeveral 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 check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the igni-
tion switch to the “ON” position. The fol-
lowing lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON in-
dicator light
Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator 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 vehi-
cles)
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation in-
dicator 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 bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair.
„ Seatbelt warning light
and chimeYour vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver’s seat, as re-
quired by current safety standards. There
is a seatbelt warning light in the combina-
tion meter.
If the driver has not yet fastened the seat-
belt when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position, the seatbelt warning
light will flash for 6 seconds, to warn that
the seatbelt is unfastened. If the driver’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also
sound simultaneously.
If the driver’s seatbelt is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the warning light will re-
main lit for 15 seconds. If the driver’s seat-
belt is still not fastened even 15 seconds
later (21 seconds after turning ON the ig-
nition switch), the warning lights will alter-
nate between flashing and steady illumi-
12
300576
ProCarManuals.com

3-10
Instruments and controls
nation at 15-second intervals, and the
chime will sound while the warning light is
flashing.
Alternate flashing and steady illumination
of the warning lights and sounding of the
chime will continue until the driver fastens
the seatbelt.NOTEyIf the driver unfastens the seatbelt af-
ter fastening, the seatbelt warning de-
vice operates as follows according to
the vehicle speed. y At speeds lower than approximate-
ly 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals. The
chime will not sound.
y At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals and the
chime will sound while the warning
light is flashing.
y It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition
switch by unfastening and refastening
the driver’s seatbelt. When the ignition
switch is turned ON next time, howev-
er, the complete sequence of warning operation resumes. For further details
about canceling the warning operation,
please contact your SUBARU dealer.
„
SRS airbag system warn-
ing lightWhen the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the SRS airbag system
warning light will come on for approxi-
mately 6 seconds and go out. This shows
the SRS frontal airbag and SRS side air-
bag and seatbelt pretensioners are in nor-
mal operation.
„Front passenger’s frontal air-
bag ON and OFF indicators1) U.S.-spec. models
2) Canada-spec. models
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt pre-
tensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle
to your nearest SUBARU dealer to
have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g.
SRS airbags may inflate in a very mi-
nor collision or not inflate in a se-
vere collision), which may increase
the risk of injury.
yFlashing or flickering of the warn-
ing lightyNo illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON” positionyContinuous illumination of the
warning lightyIllumination of the warning light
while driving
12
12
100547
ProCarManuals.com