2009 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

13-12Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
able cargo and luggage load capa-
city is 650 lbs. (1,400 750 (5 6
150) = 650 lbs)
5. Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your ve-hicle. Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the rela-
tive performance of passenger car
tires in the area of treadwear,
traction, and temperature resis-
tance. This is to aid the consumer
in making an informed choice in the
purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maxi-
mum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passen-
ger cars. However, they do not
apply to deep tread, winter type
snow tires, space-saver or tempor-
ary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 12 inches
or less, or to some limited produc-
tion tires.
All passenger car tires must con-form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. &
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1-
1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate. & Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire ’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on spe-

cified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perfor- mance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplan-
ing, or peak traction charac-teristics.
& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing thetire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor labora-
tory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure. Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehi-
cles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Subaru of
America, Inc. To contact NHTSA,
you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to: Administrator, NHTSA, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-13
– CONTINUED –

13-14Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
DC 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor ve-
hicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.

Index
14

14-2Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................................... 7-23
Warning light ................................................. 3-15, 7-23
Accessories ....................................................... 5-4, 11-45
Accessory power outlet ................................................. 6-9
Active head restraint ..................................................... 1-5
Air cleaner element ................................................... 11-15
Air conditioner ..................................................... 4-7, 4-10
Air filtration system ..................................................... 4-13
Air flow selection .......................................................... 4-2
Alarm system ............................................................ 2-14
All-Wheel Drive warning light ....................................... 3-17
Aluminum wheel cleaning ............................................ 10-3
Aluminum wheels ...................................................... 11-38
Antenna system ........................................................... 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................... 7-23
Arming the system ..................................................... 2-15
Armrest ....................................................................... 1-7
AT OIL TEMP warning light ......................................... 3-14
Audio control button ................................................... 5-26
Audio set .................................................................... 5-5
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ...................................... 3-34
Automatic climate control system ................................... 4-8
Automatic headlight beam leveler ................................. 3-26
Automatic transmission ............................................... 7-15
Capacities ............................................................. 12-4
Fluid .................................................................... 11-20
MANUAL mode ..................................................... 7-18
Selector lever ........................................................ 7-15
Shift lock release ................................................... 7-20
SPORT mode ........................................................ 7-20 Temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP)
................. 3-14
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-11
AUX unit operation ..................................................... 5-25
B Battery .................................................................... 11-43
Jump starting .......................................................... 9-9
Replacement (remote keyless entry system) .............. 2-10
Booster seat .............................................................. 1-28
Bottle holder ............................................................... 6-8
Brake
Assist .................................................................... 7-22
Booster ....................................................... 7-22, 11-27
Fluid ................................................................... 11-25
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-30
Parking ....................................................... 7-31, 11-30
Pedal .................................................................. 11-28
System .................................................................. 7-22
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-28
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-28
Brake system ............................................................. 7-22
Warning light .......................................................... 3-16
Braking ..................................................................... 7-21
Tips ...................................................................... 7-21
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-30
Bulb Chart .................................................................... 12-9
Replacing ............................................................ 11-46

C Capacities................................................................. 12-4
Cargo area
Cover ................................................................... 6-12
Light ....................................................................... 6-3
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-13
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing Flat tire ................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ...................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-13
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-12
Checking Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-28
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-28
Clutch function ...................................................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play ............................................ 11-29
Engine oil level ...................................................... 11-8
Fluid level ............................... 11-20, 11-24, 11-25, 11-26
Gear oil level ........................................................ 11-22
Child restraint systems ............................................... 1-22
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................................ 1-25
Lower and tether anchorages .................................. 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-32
Child safety .................................................................... 5
Locks ................................................................... 2-18 Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-5Seatbelt. ......................................................... 1-12, 3-9
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ...................................................... 4-12
Climate control system
Automatic ............................................................... 4-8
Manual ................................................................... 4-3
Clock ........................................................................ 3-21
Clutch Fluid ................................................................... 11-26
Pedal .................................................................. 11-28
Coat hook. ................................................................. 6-11
Coin tray .................................................................... 6-7
Coolant ................................................................... 11-13
Coolant temperature high warning light. ......................... 3-13
Coolant temperature low indicator light .......................... 3-13
Cooling system ........................................................ 11-12
Corrosion protection ............................................ 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-34
Indicator light ................................................. 3-20, 7-37
Set indicator light ............................................ 3-21, 7-38
Cup holder ................................................................. 6-7
Front passenger ’s.................................................... 6-7
Rear passenger ’s .................................................... 6-8 Index
14-3

14-4Index
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-25
Differential gear oil
Front ................................................................... 11-21
Rear .................................................................... 11-22
Dimensions ............................................................... 12-2
Disarming the alarm system ........................................ 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-22
Dome light .................................................................. 6-2
Door Locks ..................................................................... 2-4
Open warning light ................................................. 3-17
Drive belts. ............................................................... 11-18
Driving All-Wheel Drive warning light ................................... 3-17
Car phone/cell phone .................................................. 7
Drinking ..................................................................... 6
Drugs ........................................................................ 6
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Pets .......................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ................................................ 8-9
Tips................................................................ 7-14, 8-5
Tired or sleepy. ........................................................... 7
E
Electrical system ........................................................ 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........................................................... 3-16, 7-24
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ............................. 1-11
Engine
Compartment overview ........................................... 11-6 Coolant
............................................................... 11-13
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................. 5, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-5
Oil ........................................................................ 11-8Overheating ........................................................... 9-11
Starting .................................................................. 7-7
Stopping ................................................................. 7-9
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-4
Floor mat ................................................................... 6-11
Fluid level
Automatic transmission ......................................... 11-20
Brake .................................................................. 11-25
Clutch ................................................................. 11-26
Power steering ..................................................... 11-24
Fog light Indicator light ......................................................... 3-21
Switch ................................................................... 3-27
Front Differential gear oil ................................................ 11-21
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-19
Seats ..................................................................... 1-2
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-50
Front fog light Indicator light ......................................................... 3-21
Front seats Forward and backward adjustment ... ......................... 1-3
Reclining ................................................................ 1-3
Seat height adjustment (driver ’s seat) ........................ 1-4

Fuel........................................................................... 7-2
Economy hints ......................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-3
Gauge .................................................................... 3-8
Requirements .......................................................... 7-2
Fuses ...................................................................... 11-44
Fuses and circuits ...................................................... 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .............................. 8-13
Glove box ................................................................... 6-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .......................... 8-13
H
Hazard warning flasher ........................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment
Front seat ............................................................... 1-5
Rearseat ................................................................. 1-7
Headlight
Beam lever ........................................................... 3-26
Flasher ................................................................. 3-25
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-21
Headlights ........................................................ 3-24, 11-47
Heater operation (manual climate control system) ............ 4-5
High beam indicator light ............................................ 3-20
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................................. 3-25
Hill start assist (MT vehicles) .............................. 7-33, 11-29
Hill start assist warning light ................................ 3-17, 7-34
Horn ......................................................................... 3-38
Hose and connections ............................................... 11-12 I
Ignition switch
............................................................. 3-3
Light ...................................................................... 3-5
Illuminated entry .......................................................... 2-9
Illumination brightness control ...................................... 3-26
Immobilizer ................................................................. 2-2
Indicator light (security indicator light) ................. 2-3, 3-19
Indicator light Coolant temperature low .......................................... 3-13
Cruise control ................................................ 3-20, 7-37
Cruise control set ........................................... 3-21, 7-38
Front fog light ......................................................... 3-21
Headlight ............................................................... 3-21
High beam ............................................................. 3-20
Immobilizer ............................................................. 2-3
Security .......................................................... 2-3, 3-19
Selector lever/Gear position ..................................... 3-20
SPORT mode ........................................................ 3-20
Traction control system OFF .................................... 3-18
Turn signal ............................................................ 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF ......................... 3-19, 7-28
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation .................. 3-18, 7-27
Information display ...................................................... 3-22
Inside mirror .............................................................. 3-33
Interior lights ............................................................... 6-2
J
Jack handle ............................................................... 9-17
Jump starting .............................................................. 9-9 Index
14-5