2017 SUBARU FORESTER brake warning light

&Abbreviation list
You may find several abbreviations in this
manual. The meanings of the abbrevia-
tions are shown in the following list.
Abbreviation Meaning
A/C Air conditioner
ALR/ELR Automatic locking retractor/
Emergency locking retractor
ABS Anti-lock brake system
AKI Anti knock index
ALR Automatic locking retractor
AWD All-wheel drive
BSD/RCTA Blind Spot Detection/Rear
Cross Traffic Alert
CVT Continuously variable trans-
mission
DRL Daytime running light
EBD Electronic brake force distri-
bution
ELR Emergency locking retractor
GAW Gross axle weight
GAWR Gross axle weight rating
GPS Global positioning system
GVW Gross vehicle weight
GVWR Gross vehicle weight rating
INT Intermittent Abbreviation
Meaning
LATCH Lower anchors and tethers for
children
LED Light emitting diode
MIL Malfunction indicator light
MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl man-
ganese tricarbonyl
MT Manual transmission
OBD On-board diagnostics
RAB Reverse Automatic Braking
RON Research octane number
SI-DRIVE SUBARU Intelligent Drive
SRF Steering responsive fog lights
system
SRH Steering Responsive Head-
light
SRS Supplemental restraint sys-
tem
TIN Tire identification number
TPMS Tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem
Vehicle symbols
There are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle.
For warning and indicator lights, refer to
“
Warning and indicator lights ”F 23.
Mark Name
WARNING
CAUTION
3

&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-14
Front passenger’s
seatbelt warning light 3-14
SRS airbag system
warning light3-15
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag ON indi-
cator 3-16
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag OFF in-
dicator 3-16
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator light3-16
Coolant temperature
low indicator light/
Coolant temperature
high warning light3-17
Charge warning light 3-18
Oil pressure warning
light
3-18
Engine low oil level
warning light3-18Mark Name Page
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (CVT models)
3-19
ABS warning light 3-21
Brake system warning
light
3-21
Door open warning
light3-23
AWD warning light
(CVT models)
3-23
Power steering warn-
ing light3-23
Hill start assist warn-
ing light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light3-23
Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light3-24
Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light
3-25
Turn signal indicator
lights
3-32Mark Name Page
High beam indicator
light
3-32
High beam assist indi-
cator light (if equipped)3-32
Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (if equipped)3-32
Steering Responsive
Headlight warning
light/Steering Respon-
sive Headlight OFF
indicator light (if
equipped)3-99
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
3-33
Access key warning
light (if equipped)3-25
Security indicator light 3-30
Headlight indicator
light (if equipped)
3-33
Cruise control indica-
tor light3-32
Cruise control set in-
dicator light3-32
– CONTINUED –
23

Ignition switch (models without push-button start system) ......................................... 3-4
LOCK.................................................................. 3-4
ACC.................................................................... 3-5
ON...................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light (if equipped) ......................... 3-6
Push-button ignition switch (models with
push-button start system) ............................... 3-6
Safety precautions.............................................. 3-6
Operating range for push-button start system ...... 3-6
Switching power status ....................................... 3-7
When access key does not operate properly ........ 3-8
Hazard warning flasher....................................... 3-8
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-9
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-9
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition
switch ............................................................... 3-9
Speedometer ...................................................... 3-10
Odometer ........................................................... 3-10
Double trip meter ............................................... 3-10
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-11
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-12
ECO gauge (if equipped) .................................... 3-12
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-13Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-15
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-16 CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator light .................................................. 3-16
Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light ......................... 3-17
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-18
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-18
Engine low oil level warning light ....................... 3-18
Windshield washer fluid warning light ................ 3-19
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models) ........... 3-19
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) ........................................................... 3-19
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-21
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-21
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-22
Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-23
Door open warning light .................................... 3-23
All-Wheel Drive warning light (CVT models) ... ..... 3-23
Power steering warning light .............................. 3-23
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-24
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light ..... 3-25
Warning chimes and warning light of the keyless access with push-button start system (if
equipped) ........................................................ 3-25
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-30
SI-DRIVE indicator light (if equipped) .................. 3-31
Select lever/gear position indicator (CVT models) ........................................................... 3-31
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-32
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-32
High beam assist indicator light (if equipped) ..... 3-32
Instruments and controls
3

Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate when the ignition switch is
initially turned to the“ON”position. This
permits checking the operation of the
bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON”position. For
the system check, several of the following
lights illuminate and then turn off after
several seconds or after the engine has
started.
: Seatbelt warning light (The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens the
seatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator light
: Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: Engine low oil level warning light*
: Windshield washer fluid warning light*
: AT OIL TEMP warning light(CVT models)
: Low tire pressure warning light(U.S.-spec. models)
/: ABS warning light
/: Brake system warning light
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill start assist warning light/Hill startassist OFF indicator light
: Door open warning light
: AWD warning light (CVT models)
: Power steering warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-tor light
: Cruise control indicator light(if equipped)
: Cruise control set indicator light(if equipped)
: Headlight indicator light (if equipped)
: Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light (if equipped)
: Steering Responsive Headlight warn-ing light/Steering Responsive Head-
light OFF indicator light (if equipped)*
: High beam assist indicator light (if equipped)
: Access key warning light
(if equipped)
: X-mode indicator light (if equipped)
: Hill descent control indicator light (if equipped)*
*: Applies to models with type A combina- tion meter.
If any lights fail to illuminate, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-13

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of re-
placement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
Should the warning light illuminate stea-
dily after blinking for approximately one
minute, have the system inspected by
your nearest SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
If this light does not illuminate
briefly after the ignition switch is
turned ON or the light illuminates
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute, you should have
your Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
If this light illuminates while driving,
never brake suddenly and keepdriving straight ahead while gradu-
ally reducing speed. Then slowly
pull off the road to a safe place.
Otherwise an accident involving
serious vehicle damage and serious
personal injury could occur.
If this light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may have significant
damage and a fast leak that causes
the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have
a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire
as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/transmitter
being transferred, the Low tire pres-
sure warning light will illuminate
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute. This indicates
the TPMS is unable to monitor all
four road wheels. Contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible
for tire and sensor replacement and/
or system resetting.
If the light illuminates steadily after
blinking for approximately one min-
ute, promptly contact a SUBARU
dealer to have the system inspected.
CAUTION
The tire pressure monitoring system
is NOT a substitute for manually
checking tire pressure. The tire
pressure should be checked peri-
odically (at least monthly) using a
tire gauge. After any change to tire
pressure(s), the tire pressure mon-
itoring system will not re-check tire
inflation pressures until the vehicle
is first driven more than 25 mph (40
km/h). After adjusting the tire pres-
sures, increase the vehicle speed to
at least 25 mph (40 km/h) to start the
TPMS re-checking of the tire infla-
tion pressures. If the tire pressures
are now above the severe low
pressure threshold, the low tire
pressure warning light should turn
off a few minutes later. Therefore, be
sure to install the specified size for
the front and rear tires.
3-20

&ABS warning light
CAUTION
.If any of the following conditions
occur, we recommend that you
have the ABS repaired at the first
available opportunity by your
SUBARU dealer.
– The warning light does not
illuminate when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON ”
position.
– The warning light illuminates
when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ”position,
but it does not turn off even
when the vehicle speed ex-
ceeds approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h).
– The warning light illuminates
during driving.
. When the warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is
off), the ABS function shuts
down. However, the conventional
brake system continues to oper-
ate normally.
The ABS warning light illuminates to-
gether with the brake system warning light if the EBD system malfunctions. For
further details of the EBD system mal-
function warning, refer to
“Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system
warning ”F 3-22.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following conditions,
the ABS may be considered normal.
. The warning light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ”position and turns off approxi-
mately 2 seconds after the engine has
started.
. The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.
. The warning light remains illumi-
nated after the engine has been started,
but it turns off when the vehicle speed
reaches approximately 25 mph (40
km/h).
. The warning light illuminates during
driving, but it turns off immediately and
remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery
voltage such as when the engine is jump
started, the ABS warning light may illumi-
nate. This is due to the low battery voltage
and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will turn off.
&Brake system
warning light
The light illuminates with the parking
brake applied while the ignition switch is
in the
“ON”position. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
WARNING
. Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous.
This indicates your brake system
may not be working properly. If
the light remains illuminated,
have the brakes inspected by a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
. If at all in doubt about whether
the brakes are operating prop-
erly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for re-
pair.
The brake system warning light has the
following functions.
! Brake fluid level warning
This light illuminates when the brake fluid
level has dropped to near the “MIN”level
of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-21

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
switch in the“ON”position and with the
parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should
illuminate while driving (with the parking
brake fully released and with the ignition
switch positioned in “ON”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn
brake pads. If this occurs, immediately
stop the vehicle at the nearest safe
location and check the brake fluid level.
If the fluid level is below the “MIN”mark in
the reservoir, do not drive the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
! Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) system warning
The brake system warning light also
illuminates if a malfunction occurs in the
EBD system. In that event, it illuminates
together with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be malfunctioning if
the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously
during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conven-
tional braking system will still function.
However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are
applied harder than usual and the vehi-
cle ’s motion may therefore become some-
what harder to control. If the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps.
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe,
flat location.
2. Shut down the engine, apply the
parking brake and then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. Even if
both warning lights turn off, the EBD
system may be malfunctioning. Drive
carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer
and have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights illuminate again
and remain illuminated after the engine
has been restarted, shut down the engine
again, apply the parking brake, and check
the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the
“
MIN ”mark, the EBD system may be
malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the
system inspected.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the
“ MIN ”mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle.
Instead, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
! Vacuum pump system warning
(turbo models)
This light illuminates when a malfunction
is detected in the vacuum pump system.NOTE
The vacuum pump system assists the
boost pressure when driving at high
altitudes while the engine is cold.
&Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light illuminates
when the tank is nearly empty, at approxi-
mately 2.6 US gal (10.0 liters, 2.2 Imp gal).
It only operates when the ignition switch is
in the “ON”position.
CAUTION
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
illuminates. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
NOTE
This light does not turn off unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.5 US
gal (17 liters, 3.7 Imp gal).
3-22

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
At this time, there will be more resis-
tance when steering. However this is
not a malfunction. Normal steering
force will be restored after the steering
wheel is not operated for a while and
the power steering control system has
an opportunity to cool down. However,
if the power steering is operated in a
non-standard way which causes power
assist limitation to occur too fre-
quently, that may result in a malfunc-
tion of the power steering control
system.
&Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator
light
!Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light
CAUTION
The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem provides its ABS control
through the electrical circuit of the
ABS. Accordingly, if the ABS is
inoperative, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system becomes unable to provide ABS control. As a result, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system
also becomes inoperative, causing
the warning light to illuminate.
Although both the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system and ABS are inop-
erative in this case, the ordinary
functions of the brake system are
still available. You will be safe while
driving with this condition, but drive
carefully and have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
NOTE
.
If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself mal-
functions, the warning light only illumi-
nates. At this time, the ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System) remains fully opera-
tional.
. The warning light illuminates when
the electronic control system of the
ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
malfunctions.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably inoperative under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
. The warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON
”position.
. The warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is running.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following examples,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
may be considered normal.
. The warning light illuminates when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ”position and turns off approxi-
mately 2 seconds after the engine has
started.
. The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.
. The warning light illuminates after
the engine has started and turns off
while the vehicle is subsequently being
driven.
. The warning light illuminates during
driving, but it turns off immediately and
remains off.
. The warning light illuminates when
the engine has stalled and continues to
illuminate after the engine has been
restarted. However, it will turn off once
the vehicle starts moving.
3-24