2009 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

2-2Keys and doors
Keys
1) Master key (black)
2) Submaster key (black)
3) Valet key (gray)
4) Key number plate
5) Security ID plate
Three types of keys are provided for your vehicle:
Master key, submaster key and valet key.
The master key and submaster key fit all
locks on your vehicle. . Ignition switch
. Driver ’s door
. Glove box
The valet key fits only the ignition switch
and driver ’s door lock. You can keep the glove box locked when you leave your
vehicle and valet key at a parking facility.
CAUTION
Do not attach a large key holder or
key case to either key. If it bangs
against your knees while you are
driving, it could turn the ignition
switch from the ON position to the
Acc or OFF position, thereby stop-
ping the engine.
& Key number plate
The key number is stamped on the key
number plate attached to the key set.
Write down the key number and keep it in
another safe place, not in the vehicle. This
number is needed to make a replacement
key if you lose your key or lock it inside thevehicle. Immobilizer
The immobilizer system is designed to
prevent an unauthorized person from
starting the engine. Only keys registered
with your vehicle
’s immobilizer system can
be used to operate your vehicle. Even if
an unregistered key fits into the ignition
switch and can be turned to the “START ”
position, the engine will automatically stop
after several seconds.
Each immobilizer key contains a trans-
ponder in which the key ’s ID code is
stored. When a key is inserted into the
ignition switch and turned to the “ON ”
position, the transponder transmits thekey ’s ID code to the immobilizer system ’s
receiver. If the transmitted ID code
matches the ID code registered in the
immobilizer system, the system allows the
engine to be started. Since the ID code is
transmitted and acted upon almost in-
stantly, the immobilizer system does not
impede normal starting of the engine.
If the engine fails to start, pull out the key
once before trying again. Refer to the“ Ignition switch ”section in chapter 3.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This

device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void theuser’s authority to operate the equip-
ment. NOTE
To protect your vehicle from theft,
please pay close attention to the fol-
lowing security precautions: . Never leave your vehicle unattended
with its keys inside. . Before leaving your vehicle, close all
windows and lock the doors and reargate.. Do not leave spare keys or any
record of your key number in thevehicle.
CAUTION
. Do not place the key under direct
sunlight or anywhere it may
become hot. .
Do not get the key wet. If the key
gets wet, wipe it dry with a cloth
immediately.
& Security ID plate
1) Key number plate
2) Security ID plate
The security ID is stamped on the security
ID plate attached to the key set. Write
down the security ID and keep it in
another safe place, not in the vehicle.
This number is needed to make a replace-
ment key if you lose your key or lock it
inside the vehicle.
This number is also needed for replace-
ment or repair of the engine control unit,
integrated unit, and combination meter. &
Security indicator light
The security indicator light deters potential
thieves by indicating that the vehicle is
equipped with an immobilizer system. It
begins flashing (approximately once every
3 seconds) approximately 60 seconds
after the ignition switch is turned from the“ON ”position to the “Acc ”or “LOCK ”
position or immediately after the key is
pulled out.
If the security indicator light does not flash,
the immobilizer system may be faulty. If
this occurs, contact your SUBARU dealer
as soon as possible.
In case an unauthorized key is used (e.g.
an imitation key), the security indicator
light illuminates. Keys and doors
2-3
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2-4Keys and doors
NOTE
Even if the security indicator light
flashes irregularly or its fuse blows
(the light does not flash if its fuse is
blown), the immobilizer system will
function normally. &Key replacement
Your key number plate and security ID
plate will be required if you ever need a
replacement key made. Any new key must
be registered for use with your vehicle ’s
immobilizer system before it can be used.
Up to four keys can be registered for use
with one vehicle.
For security, all the keys registered with
your vehicle ’s immobilizer system will
have their ID codes erased and re-
registered when a new key is made.
Therefore, all of your vehicle ’s keys must
be presented when a new key is regis-
tered. Any key that is not re-registered
when a new key is made cannot be used
after the other keys are re-registered. For
information on replacement keys and on
the registration of keys with your immo-
bilizer system, contact your SUBARU
dealer. NOTE
A vehicle that is equipped with the
remote engine start system as a dealer
option can register up to three keys for
use with one vehicle.
Door locks &
Locking and unlocking from
the outside
To lock the driver ’s door from the outside
with the key, turn the key toward the rear.
To unlock the door, turn the key toward thefront.
Pull the outside door handle to open an
unlocked door.

1) Rotate the lock lever rearward.
2) Close the door.
To lock the door from the outside without
the key, rotate the lock lever rearward and
then close the door.
To lock the door from the outside using the
power door locking switch, push the front
side of the switch ( “LOCK ”side) and then
close the door. In this case, all closed
doors and the rear gate are locked at the
same time.
Always make sure that all doors and the
rear gate are locked before leaving yourvehicle. NOTE
Make sure that you do not leave the key
inside the vehicle when locking the doors from the outside without the key.
& Locking and unlocking from
the inside
1) Lock
2) Unlock
To lock the door from the inside, rotate the
lock lever rearward. To unlock the door
from the inside, rotate the lock leverforward.
The red mark on the lock lever appears
when the door is unlocked.
Pull the inside door handle to open an
unlocked door.
Always make sure that all doors and the
rear gate are closed before starting todrive.
WARNING
Keep all doors locked when you
drive, especially when small chil-
dren are in your vehicle.
Along with the proper use of seat-
belts and child restraints, locking
the doors reduces the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in anaccident.
It also helps prevent passengers
from falling out if a door is acciden-
tally opened, and intruders from
unexpectedly opening doors and
entering your vehicle.
& Battery drainage prevention function
When a door or the rear gate is not
completely closed and the dome light,
ignition switch light, and door open warn-
ing light remain illuminated as a result, the
lights are automatically turned off by the
battery drainage prevention function after
10 minutes of illumination to prevent the
battery from going dead. The operational/
non-operational setting of this function can
be changed by a SUBARU dealer. Con-
tact the nearest SUBARU dealer if you
would like to change the setting. Keys and doors
2-5
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2-6Keys and doors
NOTE .When leaving the vehicle, please
make sure that all doors and the rear
gate are completely closed.. The battery drainage prevention
function does not operate while the
key is in the ignition switch. Power door locking switches
1) Lock
2) Unlock
All doors and the rear gate can be locked
and unlocked by the power door locking
switches located at the driver ’s side and
the front passenger ’s side doors.
To lock the doors, push the front side of
the switch.
To unlock the doors, push the rear side of
the switch.
When you close the doors after you set
the door locks, the doors remain locked.
NOTE
Make sure that you do not leave the key
inside the vehicle before locking the doors from the outside using the power
door locking switches. &
Key lock-in prevention func- tion
This function prevents the doors from
being locked with the key still in the
ignition switch. ! Behavior with key lock-in preven-
tion function operational
With the driver ’s door open, the doors are
automatically kept unlocked even if the
door locking switch is pushed to the front( “LOCK ”) position.
! Behavior with key lock-in preven-
tion function non-operational
. If the lock lever is turned to the rear
( “ LOCK ”) position with the driver ’s door
open and the driver ’s door is then closed
with the lock lever in that position, thedriver ’s door is locked.
. If the spare key is used to lock the
driver ’s door from the outside of the
vehicle, the door is locked.
The setting of this function to operational/
non-operational status can be changed by
a SUBARU dealer. Contact a SUBARU
dealer for details.

NOTE
When leaving the vehicle, make sure
you are holding the key before locking
the doors.Remote keyless entry system
CAUTION
. Do not expose the transmitter to
severe shocks, such as those
experienced as a result of drop-
ping or throwing.
. Do not take the transmitter apart
except when replacing the bat-
tery.
. Do not get the transmitter wet. If it
gets wet, wipe it dry with a cloth
immediately.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void theuser ’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.
Two transmitters are provided for your vehicle.
The keyless entry system has the follow-
ing functions. .
Locking and unlocking the doors and
rear gate without a key . Unlocking the rear gate without a key
. Sounding a panic alarm
. Arming and disarming the alarm sys-
tem. For detailed information, refer to the “ Alarm system ”section in this chapter.
The operable distance of the keyless entry
system is approximately 30 feet (10
meters). However, this distance will vary
depending on environmental conditions.
The system ’s operable distance will be
shorter in areas near a facility or electronic
equipment emitting strong radio waves
such as a power plant, broadcast station,
TV tower, or remote controller of home
electronic appliances.
The keyless entry system does not oper-
ate when the key is inserted in the ignitionswitch. Keys and doors
2-7
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2-8Keys and doors
: Rear gate unlock button: Unlock/disarm button: Lock/arm button
A: Panic button
1) Front
2) Back &
Locking the doorsPress the “”button to lock all doors and
the rear gate. An electronic chirp will
sound once and the turn signal lights will
flash once.
If any of the doors or the rear gate is not
fully closed, an electronic chirp will sound
five times and the turn signal lights will
flash five times to alert you that the doors
or the rear gate are not properly closed.
When you close the door, it will automa-
tically lock and then an electronic chirp will
sound once and the turn signal lights will
flash once. &
Unlocking the doorsPress the “”button to unlock the driver ’s
door. An electronic chirp will sound twice
and the turn signal lights will flash twice.
To unlock all doors and the rear gate,
briefly press the “
”button a second time
within 5 seconds.
NOTE
If the interval between the first and
second presses of the “
”button (for
unlocking of all of the doors and the
rear gate) is extremely short, the sys-
tem may not respond.

&Unlocking the rear gate
Pressing the “”button opens the rear
gate.
An electronic chirp will sound twice and
the turn signal lights will flash twice. & Illuminated entry
The interior (dome) light and the map light
will illuminate when the “
”button is
pressed. These lights stay illuminated for
approximately 30 seconds if any of the
doors or the rear gate is not opened.
If the “
”button is pressed before 30
seconds have elapsed, these lights will
turn off. The dome light must be set to the
DOOR position in order for this function
to operate.
A SUBARU dealer can change the illumi- nation period setting of the interior light in
accordance with your preference. Contact
the nearest SUBARU dealer for details.
& Vehicle finder function
Use this function to find your vehicle
parked among many vehicles in a large
parking lot. Provided you are within 30 feet
(10 meters) of the vehicle, pressing the “
”
button three times in a 5-second period
will cause your vehicle ’s horn to sound
once and its turn signal lights to flash threetimes. NOTE
If the interval between presses is too
short when you press the “
”button
three times, the system may not re-
spond to the signals from the remote
transmitter. &
Sounding a panic alarm
A“PANIC ”button is located on the back of
the transmitter.
To activate the alarm, press the “PANIC ”
button once.
The horn will sound and the turn signal
lights will flash.
To deactivate the panic alarm, press any
button on the remote transmitter. Unless a
button on the remote is pressed, the alarm
will be deactivated after approximately 30seconds. & Selecting audible signal op- eration
Using an electronic chirp, the system will
give you an audible signal when the doors
lock and unlock. If desired, you may turn Keys and doors
2-9
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