2006 SUBARU FORESTER heating

2 the climate control.
Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate
your audio system.
Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate
interior equipment.
Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and
operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your
SUBARU in various conditions and ex-
plains some safety tips on driving.
Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you
have a problem while driving, such as a
flat tire or engine overheating.
Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your
SUBARU looking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need
to take your SUBARU to the dealer for
scheduled maintenance and informs you
how to keep your SUBARU running prop-
erly.
Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimension
and capacities of your SUBARU.
Chapter 13: Consumer information and
Reporting safety defectsThis chapter informs you about Uniform
tire quality grading standards and Report-
ing safety defects.
Chapter 14: Index
This is an alphabetical listing of all that’s in
this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
„
Safety warningsYou will find a number of WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs and NOTEs in this manual.
These safety warnings alert you to poten-
tial hazards that could result in injury to
you or others.
Please read these safety warnings as well
as all other portions of this manual careful-
ly in order to gain a better understanding
of how to use your SUBARU vehicle safe-
ly.
NOTEA NOTE gives information or sugges-
tions how to make better use of your
vehicle.„Safety symbolYou will find a circle with a slash through it
in this manual. This symbol means “Do
not”, “Do not do this”, or “Do not let this
happen”, depending upon the context.
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious injury or death could
result if the warning is ignored.
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which injury or damage to your vehi-
cle, or both, could result if the cau-
tion is ignored.
000013
ProCarManuals.com

1-6
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
„Active head restraintThe front seats of your vehicle are
equipped with active head restraints. They
automatically tilt forward slightly in the
event the vehicle is struck from the rear,
decreasing the amount of rearward head
movement and thus reducing the risk of
whiplash. For maximum effectiveness the
head restraint should be adjust so that the
center of the head restraint is closest to
the top of the occupant’s ears.
Seat heater (if equipped)HI – Rapid heating
LO – Normal heatingThe seat heater operates when the igni-
tion switch is either in the “ACC” or “ON”
position.
To turn on the seat heater, push the “LO”
or “HI” position on the switch, as desired,
depending on the temperature. Selecting
the “HI” position will cause the seat to heat
up quicker.
The indicator located on the switch comes
on when the seat heater is in operation.
When the vehicle’s interior is warmed
enough or before you leave the vehicle,
be sure to turn the switch off.
100089
yEach active head restraint is ef-
fective only when its height is
properly adjusted and the driver/
passenger sits in the correct posi-
tion on the seat.
y If your vehicle is involved in a
rear-end collision, have an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer inspect the
active head restraints.
y The active head restraints may
not operate in the event the vehi-
cle experiences only a slight im-
pact in the rear.
y The active head restraints may be
damaged if they are pushed hard
from behind or subjected to
shock. As a result, they may not
function if the vehicle suffers a
rear impact.
HILO
100092
ProCarManuals.com

Climate control
4-5
– CONTINUED –
„Heater operationT Defrosting or defogging the wind-
shield
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
2. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the
highest speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the “ ” or “ ” posi-
tion is selected, the air conditioner com-
pressor automatically operates regardless
of the position of the air conditioner button
to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light
does not come on at this time.
NOTEWarm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding thumb-wheel down.
T
Heating and defrosting To direct warm air toward the floor and the
windshield:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the “ ” or “ ” posi-
tion is selected, the air conditioner com-
pressor automatically operates regardless
of the position of the air conditioner button
to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light
does not come on at this time.
NOTEWarm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding thumb-wheel down.
Continued operation with the air in-
let selection button in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty condition
clears.
400146
400147
ProCarManuals.com

4-6
Climate control
THeating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.NOTEWarm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding thumb-wheel down. T
Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of dif-
ferent temperatures from the instrument
panel and foot outlets. The air from the
foot outlets is slightly warmer than from
the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully
turned to the red area or blue area de-
creases the temperature difference be-
tween the air from the instrument panel outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
T
Ventilation
To force outside air through the instru-
ment panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the
way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
When driving on a dusty road, set the air
inlet selection button to the “ON” position.
400148
400149
400150
ProCarManuals.com

Climate control
4-9
– CONTINUED –
„Fan speed control dialThe fan operates only with the ignition
switch in the ON position. The fan speed
control dial is used to select the AUTO
(automatic control) mode or to select the
desired fan speed. The dial’s positions
and their functions are as follows:
OFF: The fan does not operate.
AUTO: The fan speed is adjusted auto-
matically in accordance with the air tem-
perature inside and outside the passenger
compartment, the intensity of sunlight,
and other factors. SUBARU recommends
using the AUTO position.
Other positions: The fan speed can be
adjusted in seven steps.NOTEWith the fan speed control dial in the AUTO position and the air flow control
dial in the “ ”, “ ”, or “ ” po-
sition, the fan does not operate during
engine warmup until the engine cool-
ant temperature exceeds approx. 122
°F
(50 °C).
„ Temperature control dialThis dial is used to set the desired interior
temperature. With the dial set to your de-
sired temperature, the system automati-
cally adjusts the temperature of air sup-
plied from the outlets such that the desired
temperature is achieved and maintained.
If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise,
the system gives maximum cooling perfor-
mance. If the dial is turned fully clockwise,
the system gives maximum heating per- formance.
„
Air flow control dialThis dial has the following six positions.
The outlets from which air is supplied in
each position are as follows:
AUTO: The air flow control is adjusted au-
tomatically in accordance with the air tem-
perature inside and outside the passenger
compartment, the intensity of sunlight,
and other factors. SUBARU recommends
using the AUTO position.
: Instrument panel outlets: Instrument panel outlets and foot out-
lets
: Foot outlets and windshield defroster
outlets (relatively little air from windshield
400154
65 75
85
400549
400156
ProCarManuals.com

Climate control
4-11
– CONTINUED –
Pressing the button cancels the “AUTO”
mode. SUBARU recommends using the
AUTO position.NOTEThe air conditioner’s compressor does
not operate with an outside tempera-
ture of 32°F (0 °C) or lower.„ Temperature sensors1) Interior air temperature sensor
2) Solar sensorThe automatic climate control system em-
ploys several sensors. These sensors are
delicate. If they are not treated properly
and become damaged, the system may
not be able to control the interior tempera-
ture correctly. To avoid damaging the sen- sors, observe the following precautions:
– Do not subject the sensors to impact.
– Keep water away from the sensors.
– Do not cover the sensors.
The sensors are located as follows:
– Solar sensor: beside the windshield de-
froster grille.
– Interior air temperature sensor: near the
ignition switch.
– Outside temperature sensor: behind the
front grille.
Operating tips for heater and air conditioner„
Cleaning ventilation grilleAlways keep the front ventilation inlet
grille free of snow, leaves, or other ob-
structions to ensure efficient heating and
defrosting. Since the condenser is located
in front of the radiator, this area should be
kept clean because cooling performance
is impaired by any accumulation of insects
and leaves on the condenser.„Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlightAfter parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to al-
2
1400551
400552
ProCarManuals.com

4-14
Climate control
5. Reinstall the glove box.
6. Close the glove box.1) Service label
2) Caution label7. LABEL installation1) Fill out the information on the service
label (small).
2) Attach the service label to the driver
side door pillar and the caution label to
the driver side end of the instrument
panel.
NOTEThe filter can influence the air condi-
tioning, heating and defroster perfor-
mance if not properly maintained.
4005561
2400557
Contact your dealer if the following
occurs, even if it is not yet time to
change the filter:
– Reduction of the air flow through the vents.
– Windshield gets easily fogged or misted.
ProCarManuals.com

Interior equipment
6-9
– CONTINUED –
NOTEWhen the lid of the center console is
closed, an opening remains between
the center console and the lid to allow
the power outlet in the center console
to be used. Pass the electrical appli-
ance’s cord through this opening.
Cigarette lighter socketA cigarette lighter socket can be found be-
hind the ashtray lid under the climate con-
trols. Push gently on the lid to open it. A
cigarette lighter plug is an optional acces-
sory. It is available from your SUBARU
dealer.
The cigarette lighter socket may also be
used as a power source for an in-car use
electrical appliance.
600478
600479
yThe electrical power socket locat-
ed on the lower part of the instru-
ment panel is originally designed
to use a genuine SUBARU ciga-
rette lighter plug. Do not use non-
genuine cigarette lighter plugs in
the socket. Doing so may cause a
short-circuit and overheating, re-
sulting in a fire.
y If the socket is ever used for a
plug-in accessory such as a cell
phone, that may damage the por-
tion of the socket’s internal mech-
anism that causes a cigarette
lighter plug to “pop out” after its
lighter element is heated. There-
fore, do not place a cigarette light-
er plug in a socket that has been
used, even once, to power a plug-
in accessory. Doing so may cause
the plug to stick and overheat,
creating a potential fire hazard.
y Do not place any foreign objects,
especially metal ones such as
coins or aluminum foil, into the
socket. That could cause a short
circuit.
ProCarManuals.com