2017 SUBARU FORESTER warning lights

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
Select lever/gear position indicator (type
B)
1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Select lever/gear position indicator
This indicator shows the position of the
select lever.
For models with manual mode, when the
manual mode is selected, the gear posi-
tion indicator (which shows the current
gear selection) and the upshift/downshift
indicator light up. Refer to“Continuously
variable transmission ”F 7-24.
For models with SI-DRIVE, the upshift/
downshift indicators are switched off while
the Sport Sharp (S#) mode is selected.
&Turn signal indicator
lights
These lights show the operation of the turn
signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink
rapidly, the turn signal bulb may be burned
out. Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Refer to “Replacing bulbs ”F 11-39.
&High beam indicator
light
This light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also illuminates when
the headlight flasher is operated.
&High beam assist indi-
cator light (if equipped)
This light illuminates when the high beam
assist function is activated. For details
about the high beam assist function, refer
to “High beam assist function ”F 3-95.
&Cruise control indica-
tor light (if equipped)
This light illuminates when the cruise
control main button is pressed to activate
the cruise control function. For details,
refer to “To set cruise control ”F 7-53.
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light illumi-
nates, the cruise control indicator
light flashes at the same time. At
this time, avoid driving at high
speed and have your vehicle in-
spected at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
&Cruise control set in-
dicator light (if
equipped)
This light illuminates when vehicle speed
has been set to use the cruise control
function. Refer to “To set cruise control ”
F 7-53.
&Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (if equipped)
This light illuminates when the automatic
headlight beam leveler does not operate
normally.
If this light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off approximately 3 seconds after
turning the ignition switch to the “ON”
position, have your vehicle inspected at
your SUBARU dealer.
3-32

&Steering Responsive
Headlight warning light/
Steering Responsive
Headlight OFF indicator
light (if equipped)
This light illuminates when the Steering
Responsive Headlight OFF switch is
pressed to deactivate the Steering Re-
sponsive Headlight. Also, the light flashes
when a malfunction occurs in the Steering
Responsive Headlight. Refer to“Steering
Responsive Headlight (SRH) ”F 3-99.
&Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates while the
front fog lights are illuminated.
&Headlight indicator
light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates under the
following conditions.
. when the light switch is turned to the
“
” or “”position
. when the light control switch is in the
“AUTO ”position and the headlights illumi-
nate automatically
&X-mode indicator light
(if equipped)
This light illuminates while the X-mode is
activated. It will turn off when the X-mode
is deactivated. Refer to “To activate/
deactivate the X-mode ”F 7-43.
&Hill descent control
indicator light (if
equipped)
This indicator illuminates while the hill
descent control function is in standby. It
will flash while the hill descent control
function is operating. It will turn off when
the hill descent control function is not
available. Refer to “Hill descent control
function ”F 7-44.
&Steering responsive
fog lights warning indi-
cator/Steering respon-
sive fog lights OFF in-
dicator (if equipped)
NOTE
For details about the steering respon-
sive fog lights system, refer to “Steer-
ing responsive fog lights system ”F 3-
103. !
Steering responsive fog lights
warning indicator
This indicator starts blinking when the
steering responsive fog lights system
malfunctions. When this indicator is blink-
ing while the system is activated, contact
your SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
! Steering responsive fog lights OFF
indicator
This indicator appears when the steering
responsive fog lights system is deacti-
vated. This indicator disappears when the
system is activated.
&BSD/RCTA warning in-
dicator (if equipped)
This warning indicator appears when the
BSD/RCTA is malfunctioning.
For models with type A combination
meter, the BSD/RCTA warning indicator
will be shown on the combination meter.
For models with type B combination
meter, the BSD/RCTA warning indicator
will be shown on the multi information
display of the combination meter.
When this indicator appears, have your
vehicle inspected by your SUBARU dealer
as soon as possible.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-33

Instruments and controls/Light control switch
For more details, contact a SUBARU
dealer.!How to use the high beam assist
function
The high beam assist function will be
activated when all the following conditions
are met.
. The light control switch is in the
“AUTO ”position and the low beam head-
lights are on automatically.
. The turn signal lever is pushed forward.
High beam assist indicator
When the high beam assist function is
activated, the high beam assist indicator
on the combination meter will illuminate.
NOTE
If the high beam assist function is
malfunctioning or is temporarily
stopped, the headlight will be fixed at
low beam. For details, refer to the
Owner ’s Manual supplement for the
EyeSight system.
! How to temporarily lower the
sensitivity of the high beam
assist function
The sensitivity of the high beam assist
function can be lowered by performing the
following operations.
1. Before turning the ignition switch to the
“ON ”position, set the light control switch
to the “AUTO ”position and push the signal
lever forward (high beam position).
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ”
position and within approximately 15
seconds, press the “
”(following dis-
tance setting) switch more than 10 times
consecutively.
When the sensitivity of the high beam
assist function is lowered, the high beam
assist indicator light “
”on the combina-
tion meter will flash.
NOTE
. The sensitivity of the high beam
assist function cannot be lowered in
the following conditions.
–Cruise control or Adaptive Cruise
Control is in operation
– The EyeSight warning indicator
(yellow) is illuminated
. The sensitivity of the high beam
assist function returns to normal level
the next time the ignition switch is
turned to the “LOCK ”/“ OFF ”position
and the engine is restarted.
! How to change the headlight
mode manually
Change to the low beam:
When you return the turn signal lever to
the center position, the high beam assist
function will turn off and the high beam
assist indicator will turn off.
Change to the high beam:
When you turn the light control switch to
the “
”position, the headlight mode will
be changed to the high beam.
At this time, the high beam assist function
will turn off, the high beam assist indicator
will turn off and the high beam indicator
light will turn on.
3-96

Instruments and controls/Light control switch
.The timing of the change of headlight
mode may differ due to the following
factors.
–Color or brightness of the head-
lights of an oncoming vehicle or the tail
lights of a vehicle ahead
– The headlights of the oncoming
vehicle or the tail lights of the vehicle
ahead are covered with mud, snow,
etc.
– Movement and direction of an on-
coming vehicle or a vehicle ahead
– When the headlights of an oncom-
ing vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle
ahead illuminate on only one side
– When the oncoming vehicle or
vehicle ahead is a motorcycle
– Conditions of a road (slope, curve,
road surface, etc.)
– Number of passengers and weight
of loaded cargo
– Limitation of the detection ability of
the stereo camera& Headlight flasher
CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing
position for more than just a few
seconds.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever
toward you and then release it. The high
beam will stay on for as long as you hold
the lever. The headlight flasher works
even though the lighting switch is in the
“
” (off) position.
When the headlights are on high beam,
the high beam indicator light “
”on the
combination meter also illuminates.
& Daytime running light system
WARNING
The brightness of the illumination of
the high beam headlights is reduced
by the daytime running light system.
The light switch must always be
turned to the “
”position when it
is dark outside.
The high beam headlights will automati-
cally illuminate at reduced brightness
when the following conditions are fulfilled.
. The engine is running.
. The parking brake is fully released.
. The light control switch is in the
“AUTO ”(if equipped), “
”or off position.
. For CVT models, the select lever is in a
position other than the “P”position.
NOTE
. When the hazard warning flasher is
on, the daytime running lights will not
operate.
. When the turn signal is activated,
the daytime running light will not
operate for the side on which the turn
signal is flashing.
. When the light switch is in the “
”
position, the instrument panel illumina-
tion, front side marker lights, tail lights
3-98

Instruments and controls/Turn signal lever
Type B combination meter
1) SRH OFF indicator
2) Warning screen
The SRH OFF indicator on the combina-
tion meter turns off when SRH is turned
on.The SRH OFF indicator on the combina-
tion meter illuminates when SRH is turned
off.
For models with type A combination
meter, if SRH is malfunctioning, the SRH
OFF indicator on the combination meter
blinks when the ignition switch is in the
“ON
”position. It indicates that SRH has
been deactivated. Contact a SUBARU
dealer for an inspection.
For models with type B combination
meter, if SRH is malfunctioning, a mes-
sage appears on the warning screen when
the ignition switch is in the “ON”position. It
indicates that SRH has been deactivated.
Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspec-
tion.
NOTE
. If you turn the ignition switch to the
“ OFF ”position with SRH turned off and
then start the engine again, SRH will
automatically turn on.
. When you turn the ignition switch to
the “ON ”position, the SRH OFF indi-
cator will illuminate and turn off after
several seconds.
Turn signal lever
To activate the right turn signal, push the
turn signal lever up. To activate the left
turn signal, push the turn signal lever
down. When the turn is finished, the lever
will return automatically. If the lever does
not return after cornering, return the lever
to the neutral position by hand.
To signal a lane change, push the turn
signal lever up or down slightly and hold it
during the lane change. The turn signal
indicator lights will flash in the direction of
the turn or lane change. The lever will
return automatically to the neutral position
when you release it.
3-100

Starting and operating/Preparing to drive
.A vehiclefails the OBDII inspection if
the “CHECK ENGINE ”warning light is not
properly operating (light is illuminated or is
not working due to a burned out bulb) or
there is one or more diagnostic trouble
codes stored in the vehicle’ s computer.
. A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBDII system readiness monitors “NOT
READY ”is greater than one. If the
vehicle’ s battery has been recently re-
placed or disconnected, the OBDII system
inspection may indicate that the vehicle is
not ready for the emission test. Under this
condition, the vehicle driver should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to reset the readiness monitors and
return for an emission re-inspection.
. Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their SUBARU Dealer for
service.
Some states still use dynamometers in
their emission inspection program. A
dynamometer is a treadmill or roller-like
testing device that allows your vehicle ’s
wheels to turn while the vehicle remains in
one place. Prior to your vehicle being put
on a dynamometer, tell your emission
inspector
not to place your SUBARU
AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dynam-
ometer. Otherwise, serious transmis-
sion damage will result. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and states using two-wheel
dynamometers in their emission testing
program have EXEMPTED SUBARU
AWD vehicles from the portion of the
testing program that involves a two-wheel
dynamometer. There are some states that
use four-wheel dynamometers in their
testing program. When properly used, this
equipment should not damage a SUBARU
AWD vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected for
state emission testing.
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
inflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of
leaks and check that no small animal is
under the vehicle.
4. Check that no small animal enters the
engine compartment.
5. Check that the hood and rear gate are
fully closed.
6. Check the adjustment of the seat.
7. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors.
8. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your
passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
9. Check the operation of the warning
and indicator lights when the ignition
switch is turned to the
“ON ”position.
10. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine.
7-8

Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push–button start system)
. When starting the engine, be sure
to sit in the driver ’s seat (except
when using the remote engine
start system).
NOTE
. Avoid rapid racing and rapid accel-
eration immediately after the engine
has started.
. For a short time after the engine has
started, the engine speed is kept high.
When the warm-up is completed, the
engine speed lowers automatically.
. On rare occasions, it may be difficult
to start the engine depending on the
fuel and the usage condition (repeated
driving of a distance in which the
engine has not warmed up sufficiently).
In such a case, it is recommended that
you change to a different brand of fuel.
. On rare occasions, transient knock-
ing may be heard from the engine when
the accelerator is operated rapidly
such as a rapid start-up and a rapid
acceleration. This is not a malfunction.
. The engine starts more easily when
the headlights, air conditioner and rear
window defogger are turned off.
. After the engine starts, the engine
speed will be kept high until the engine
has warmed up sufficiently. !
MT models
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac-
cessories.
3. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold
the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine.
The starter motor will only operate when
the clutch pedal is depressed fully to the
floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position and check the operation of the
warning and indicator lights. Refer to
“Warning and indicator lights ”F 3-13.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, try the
following procedure.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the
“OFF ”position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is firmly set, turn the
ignition switch to the “START”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn the ignition switch back to the
“OFF”
position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the “START”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch again to the “OFF”
position. After waiting for 10 seconds
or longer, turn the ignition switch to the
“START ”position without depressing
the accelerator pedal.
(4) If the engine still does not start,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have turned off after the engine has
started. The fuel injection system auto-
matically lowers the idle speed as the
engine warms up.
! CVT models
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac-
cessories.
3. Shift the select lever to the “P”or “N
”
position (preferably the “P”position).
The

starter motor will only operate when
the select lever is at the “P”or “N”position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
7-10

position and check the operation of the
warning and indicator lights. Refer to
“Warning and indicator lights”F 3-13.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, try the
following procedure.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the
“OFF ”position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is firmly set, turn the
ignition switch to the “START”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch back to the “OFF”
position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the “START ”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch again to the “OFF”
position. After waiting for 10 seconds
or longer, turn the ignition switch to the
“START ”position without depressing
the accelerator pedal. (4) If the engine still does not start,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have turned off after the engine has
started. The fuel injection system auto-
matically lowers the idle speed as the
engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make
sure that the select lever is at the “P ” or
“N ”position and that the parking brake is
applied.
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift the select
lever into the “N ” position. Do not
attempt to place the select lever of a
moving vehicle into the “P ” posi-
tion.
& Stopping the engine
The ignition switch should be turned off
only when the vehicle is stopped and the
engine is idling.
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause
loss of power to the power steering and the brake booster, making steer-
ing and braking more difficult. It
could also result in accidental acti-
vation of the
“LOCK ”position on the
ignition switch, causing the steering
wheel to lock.
Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push –button start system)7-11