2007 SUBARU FORESTER Model

Interior equipment 6-13
Cargo area cover (if
equipped)
The cargo area cover is provided for cov-
ering the cargo area and to protect its con-
tents from direct sunlight. This cover is de-
tachable to make room for additional car-
go. „Using the cover
To extend the cover, pull the end of the
cover out of the housing, then insert its
hooks into the catches as shown. To re-
wind it, unhook it from the catches and it
will rewind automatically. You should hold
on to the cover and guide it back into the
cover housing while it is rewinding.
„ To remove the cover housing
1. Rewind the cover.
2. To take the cover housing off the re-
tainer, lift it out.
3. Store the cover housing in the cargo
area. „
Stowage of the cover
On models having a temporary spare tire,
the cargo area cover can be stowed under
the cargo floor. „ To install the cover housing
To install the cover, insert both ends of the
cover housing into the retainers.
600099
Do not place anything on the ex-
tended cover. Putting excessive
weight on the extended cover can
break it and an object on the cover
could tumble forward in the event of
a sudden stop or collision. This
could cause serious injury.
600100
600101

6-16 Interior equipment
TFront, left and right side storage compartment
To open the lid, raise the cargo tie-down hooks and pull the tab up. The jack and jack
handle are stored in the left side storage compartment.
600105 T
Center storage compartment (Stor-
age bucket)
To open the lid, pull the handle up.
Canada-spec. non-turbo models:
The storage bucket is put on the spare
tire.
Except Canada-spec. non-turbo mod-
els:
Storage tray is placed on the spare tire.
600106

Interior equipment 6-17
NOTE
When storing a flat tire, put the storage
tray in the luggage compartment (Ex-
cept Canada-spec. non-turbo models).
600108

7-2 Starting and operating
Sta rting an d o peratingFuel
„Fuel requirements
T Non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is designed
to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher. T Turbo models
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using premium unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 91 AKI or higher.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine
performance and driveability, it is required
that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline.
NOTE
Be sure to use premium unleaded gas-
oline of 91 AKI or higher for a 2.5-liter
turbo engine model. If other gasoline
(lower than 91 AKI) is used, knocking, reduced output and poor accelerator
response will result. T
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane num-
bers and is commonly referred to as the
Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rat-
ing can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a
hill or when you accelerate. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician if
you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently. T Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy. T Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that meets the clean burning low-sulfur Califor-
nia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your vehi-
cle will operate on gasoline meeting Fed-
eral specifications. Gasoline sold outside
California is permitted to have higher sul-
fur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle’s catalytic convert-
er and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor
or smell. SUBARU recommends that you
try a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service. T
MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is deter-
mined that the condition is caused by the
type of fuel used, repairs may not be cov-
ered by your warranty.
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel addi-
tive may cause engine damage.

7-4 Starting and operating
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid re-
lease lever. The lever is on the floor at the
left of the driver’s seat.1) Open
2) Close 2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it
slowly counterclockwise.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler
pump automatically stops. Do not add any
more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise
until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap while
tightening.
5. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface,
rinse it off immediately. Otherwise, the
painted surface could be damaged.
NOTE y
You will see the “ ”
sign in the fuel gauge. This indicates
that the fuel filler door (lid) is located
on the right side of the vehicle. y If the fuel filler cap is not tightened
until it clicks or if the tether is caught
under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE
warning light may come on. Refer to
the “Warning and indicator lights” sec-
tion located in chapter 3.
(Turbo model only) Promptly put fuel in
the tank whenever the low fuel warning
light comes on. Engine misfires as a re-
sult of an empty tank could cause dam-
age to the engine.
700030
1 2
700330
y
Gasoline vapor is highly flamma-
ble. Before refueling, always first
stop the engine and make sure
that there are no lighted ciga-
rettes, open flames or electrical
sparks in the adjacent area.
yWhen opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. Fuel may be
under pressure and spray out of
the fuel filler neck especially in
hot weather, which may cause in-
jury.
300121

7-6 Starting and operating
not damage an AWD SUBARU vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected for
state emission testing.
The EPA has issued regulations for in-
specting the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD)
system as part of the state emissions in-
spection. The OBD system is designed to
detect engine and transmission problems
that might cause vehicle emissions to ex-
ceed allowable limits. These inspections
apply to all 1996 model year and newer
passenger cars and light trucks. Over 30
states plus the District of Columbia have
implemented the OBD system inspection. yThe inspection of the OBD system con-
sists of a visual operational check of the
“CHECK ENGINE” warning light/mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) and an ex-
amination of the OBD system with an
electronic scan tool while the engine is
running y A vehicle passes
the OBD system in-
spection if proper the “CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/MIL illumination is observed,
there is no stored diagnostic trouble
codes, and the OBD system readiness
monitors are complete. y A vehicle fails
the OBD inspection if the “CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/MIL is
not properly operating or there is one or
more diagnostic trouble codes stored in
vehicle’s computer with the “CHECK EN-
GINE” warning light/MIL illuminated.
y A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBD system readiness monitors “Not
Ready” is greater than one. Under this
condition, the vehicle operator should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to set the monitors and return for an
emission re-inspection. y Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their SUBARU Dealer for
service.
Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks
and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and
lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of
the tires. Also check tires for proper infla-
tion.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of
leaks.
4. Check that the hood and rear gate are
fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and
outside mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your
passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning and
indicator lights when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops.

7-10 Starting and operating
speeds that are possible with each differ-
ent gear.
Never exceed the speed limit below for
each gear position except for brief accel-
eration in an emergency. The tachome-
ter’s needle will enter the red area if these
speeds are exceeded. Failure to observe
this precaution can lead to excessive en-
gine wear and poor fuel economy.mph (km/h)
„ Driving tips
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to
hold your vehicle at a standstill on an up-
grade. Either of those actions may cause
clutch damage.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the
shift lever. This may cause wear on the
transmission components.
When it is necessary to reduce vehicle
speed due to slow traffic, turning corners, or driving up steep hills, downshift to a
lower gear before the engine starts to la- bor.
On steep downgrades, downshift the
transmission to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as
necessary; this helps to maintain a safe
speed and to extend brake pad life.
In this way, the engine provides a braking
effect. Remember, if you “ride” (over use)
the brakes while descending a hill, they
may overheat and not work properly.Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is electroni-
cally controlled and provides 4 forward
speeds and 1 reverse speed.
Non-turbo
models Turbo models
1st 30 (49) 28 (46)
2nd 51 (82) 52 (83)
3rd 73 (117) 73 (118)
Do not shift from the “P” or “N” po-
sition into the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or
“R” position while depressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause
the vehicle to jump forward or back-
ward. y Shift into the “P” or “R” position
only after the vehicle is complete-
ly stopped. Shifting while the ve-
hicle is moving may cause dam-
age to the transmission.
y Do not race the engine for more
than five seconds in any position
except the “N” or “P” position
when the brake is set or when
chocks are used in the wheels.
This may cause the automatic
transmission fluid to overheat.

Starting and operating 7-13
– CONTINUED –
shortly after the vehicle has been
parked for an extended period of time.
When the ATF temperature has risen to
a certain level, automatic downshift
normally takes place. In the meantime,
downshift manually for engine braking
as required.
Also, downshifting when braking
downhill will not occur at speeds
above approximately 48 mph (78 km/h). T
3 (Third)
This position is for using engine braking
when going down a hill or for climbing a
grade.
The transmission automatically shifts into
a suitable gear from 1st to 3rd according
to the vehicle speed and the acceleration
you require.
When more acceleration is required in this
position, press the accelerator pedal fully
to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift
to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the
pedal, the transmission will return to the
original gear position. T 2 (Second)
This position is for using engine braking
when going down a hill or for climbing a
steep grade.
In this position, the transmission holds in the 2nd gear.
Use this position when starting off from a
standstill on slippery road surfaces such
as mud or snow. It will ensure greater trac-
tion. T
1 (First)
This position is for driving up or down very
steep grades, or driving through mud or
sand, or on slippery surfaces. In this posi-
tion, the transmission holds in the 1st
gear. T Maximum speeds
The following tables show the maximum
speeds that are possible with each differ-
ent gear.
When shifting down a gear, it is important
to confirm that the current vehicle speed is
not in excess of the Maximum Allowable
Speed of the gear which is about to be se-
lected.
mph (km/h)
NOTE
In order to prevent over-revving during
deceleration of the vehicle, the trans-
mission will remain in the current gear
if the speed of the vehicle is in excess
of the Maximum Allowable Speed for
the gear to which the selector lever has
been moved. T Driving tips
y Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the “D”, “3”,
“2”, “1” or “R” position.
When shifting down a gear, ensure
that the vehicle is not travelling at a
speed exceeding the Maximum Al-
lowable Speed for the gear which is
about to be selected. Failure to ob-
serve this precaution can lead to en-
gine over-revving and this in turn
can result in engine damage.
In addition, sudden application of
engine brakes when the vehicle is
travelling on a slippery surface can
lead to wheel locking; as a conse-
quence, control of the vehicle may
be lost and the risk of an accident in-
creased.
Non-turbo models Turbo models
1st 28 (45) 28 (45)
2nd 63 (100) 65 (104) 3rd 98 (156) 104 (167)