2017 SUBARU FORESTER heater

&Interior
! Passenger compartment area
1) Lower anchorages for child restraint
system (page 1-37)
2) Seatbelt (page 1-16)
3) Front seat (page 1-2)
4) Rear seat heater switch (page 1-10)
5) Rear seat (page 1-11)
6) Buttons for SUBARU STARLINK
NOTE
For U.S.-spec. models with SUBARU
STARLINK: Refer to the Owner ’s Man-
ual supplement for SUBARU
STARLINK.
14

Front seats........................................................... 1-2Manual seat ........................................................ 1-4
Power seat (driver ’s seat —if equipped) .. ............ 1-5
Head restraint adjustment .................................... 1-8
Seat heater (if equipped).................................... 1-9Front seat heater (if equipped) ............................. 1-9
Rear seat heater (if equipped) ............................. 1-10
Rear seats........................................................... 1-11Armrest (if equipped) .......................................... 1-11
Head restraint adjustment ................................... 1-12
Folding down the rear seatback .......................... 1-13
Reclining the seatback (if equipped) ................... 1-15
Seatbelts............................................................. 1-16Seatbelt safety tips ............................................. 1-16
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................... 1-17
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) ......................................... 1-17
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 1-18
Fastening the seatbelt ........................................ 1-18
Seatbelt maintenance ......................................... 1-24
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................. 1-25Seatbelt with shoulder belt pretensioner .. ........... 1-25Seatbelt with shoulder belt and lap belt
pretensioners .................................................. 1-26
System monitors ............................................... 1-28
System servicing ............................................... 1-28
Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-29
Child restraint systems..................................... 1-29Where to place a child restraint system .............. 1-30
Choosing a child restraint system ...................... 1-32
Installing child restraint systems with ALR/ELR seatbelt ........................................................... 1-32
Installing a booster seat ..................................... 1-36
Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) .............. 1-37
Top tether anchorages ....................................... 1-40
*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag) ................................................ 1-42
General precautions regarding SRS airbag
system ............................................................ 1-42
Components ...................................................... 1-49
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system ........... 1-51
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag ............. 1-61
SRS airbag system monitors .............................. 1-69
SRS airbag system servicing ... .......................... 1-71
Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-72
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1

whichever is appropriate for the
child’s age, height and weight. Se-
cure ALL types of child restraint
devices (including forward facing
child seat) in the REAR seats at all
times.
NEVER INSTALL A FORWARD OR
REARWARD FACING CHILD SEAT
IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO
RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE
CHILD ’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE
SRS AIRBAG.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating posi-
tions. For instructions and precau-
tions concerning child restraint sys-
tems, refer to “Child restraint sys-
tems ”F 1-29.
WARNING
To prevent the passenger from slid-
ing under the seatbelt in the event of
a collision, always put the seatback
in the upright position while the
vehicle is in motion. Also, do not
place objects such as cushions
between the passenger and the
seatback. If you do so, the risk of
sliding under the lap belt and of the
lap belt sliding up over the abdomen
will increase, and both can result in
serious internal injury or death.
WARNING
Do not let rear passengers rest their
feet between the front seatback and
seat cushion. Doing so may lead to
defective operation of the following
systems and could result in serious
injury.
. Occupant detection system
. SRS side airbag
. Seat heater (if equipped)
. Power seat (if equipped)
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Front seats
–CONTINUED –1-3

!Head restraint angle adjustment
The angle of the head restraint can be
adjusted in several steps. While maintain-
ing a suitable driving posture, adjust the
head restraint to a position where the back
of your head is as close to the head
restraint as possible.
To tilt:
Tilt the head restraint by hand to the
preferred position. A click will be audible
when the head restraint is locked.
To return:
Tilt the head restraint once as far forward
as it can go. The head restraint will
automatically return to the fully upright
position. Then, adjust the head restraint
again to the preferred angle.
Seat heater (if equipped)
CAUTION
.People with delicate skin may
suffer slight burns even at low
temperatures if they use the seat
heater for a long period of time.
When using the heater, always be
sure to warn the persons con-
cerned.
. Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates against heat,
such as a blanket, cushion, or
similar items. This may cause the
seat heater to overheat.
. When the seat is warmed enough
or before you leave the vehicle,
be sure to turn off the seat heater.
NOTE
Use of the seat heater for a long period
of time while the engine is not running
can cause battery discharge.
& Front seat heater (if
equipped)
The seat heater operates when the igni-
tion switch is either in the “ACC”or “ON ”
position.
Front seat heater switch
1) HIGH –Rapid heating
2) LOW –Normal heating
3) Off
A) Left-hand side
B) Right-hand side
To turn on the seat heater, push the “LOW ”
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Seat heater
–CONTINUED –1-9

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Seat heater
or“HIGH ”position on the switch, as
desired, depending on the temperature.
Selecting the “HIGH”position will cause
the seat to heat up quicker.
To turn off the seat heater, lightly press the
opposite side of the current position.
The indicator located on the switch illumi-
nates when the seat heater is in operation.& Rear seat heater (if equipped)
The seat heater operates when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON”position.
Rear seat heater switch
1) HIGH mode indicator
2) LOW mode indicator
A) Left-hand side
B) Right-hand side
Press the rear seat heater switch to turn
on the rear seat heater. Then select the
“HIGH ”or “LOW ”mode, as desired,
depending on the temperature. Each time
youpresstheswitch,themodewill
change as follows.
When LOW mode is selected, the LOW mode indicator on the rear seat heater
switch illuminates. When HIGH mode is
selected, both the LOW and HIGH mode
indicators illuminate. When the OFF mode
is selected, all the indicators turn off.
Selecting
“HIGH”mode will cause the seat
to heat up quicker.
NOTE
Only the front seat heater switches
retainthepreviousswitchposition
even if the engine has restarted. The
rear seat switch will reset.
1-10

are placed on the seat.!If the passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator illuminates and
the ON indicator turns off even
when the front passenger ’s seat
is occupied by an adult
This can be caused by the adult incor-
rectly sitting in the front passenger ’s seat.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/
“OFF ”position.
2. Ask the front passenger to set the
seatback to the upright position, sit up
straight in the center of the seat cushion,
correctly fasten the seatbelt, position his/
her legs out forward, and adjust the seat to
the rearmost position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position.
If the OFF indicator remains illuminated
while the ON indicator remains off, take
the following actions.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/
“OFF ”position.
2. Make sure that the front passenger
does not use a blanket, seat cushion, seat
cover, seat heater or massager, etc.
3. If wearing excessive layers of clothing,
the front passenger should remove any
unnecessary items before sitting in the
front passenger ’s seat, or should sit in a rear seat.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
“ON”
position and wait 6 seconds to allow the
system to complete self-checking. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators turn
off for 2 seconds. Now, the ON indicator
should illuminate while the OFF indicator
remains off.
If the OFF indicator still remains illumi-
nated while the ON indicator remains off,
ask the occupant to move to the rear seat
and immediately contact your SUBARU
dealer for an inspection.
! How to contact the vehicle manu-
facturer concerning modifications
for persons with disabilities that
may affect the advanced airbag
system
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, rear seat, seatbelts, front bumper,
front side frame, radiator panel, instrument
panel, combination meter, steering wheel,
steering column, tire, suspension or floor
panel can affect the operation of the
SUBARU advanced airbag system. If
you have any questions, you may contact
the following SUBARU distributors. of Columbia>
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Subaru Hawaii
2850 Pukoloa Street, Suite 202,
Honolulu, HI 96819-4467
808-839-2273

Shen
’s Corporation dba Prestige Automo-
bile
491, East Marine Corps Drive, Route 1
Dededo, Guam 96921-6225
671-633-2698

Trebol Motors
P.O. Box 11204, San Juan, Puerto Rico
00910
787-793-2828
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
–CONTINUED –1-55

Ventilator control................................................. 4-2Center and side ventilators .................................. 4-2
Climate control panel.......................................... 4-3Type A ................................................................ 4-3
Type B ................................................................ 4-4
Type C ................................................................ 4-5
Type D ................................................................ 4-6
Automatic climate control operation (type
B, C and D) ....................................................... 4-7
Type B ................................................................ 4-7
Type C and D ...................................................... 4-7
Sensors .............................................................. 4-8
Manual climate control operation ...................... 4-8Airflow mode selection........................................ 4-8
Temperature control ............................................ 4-9
Fan speed control .............................................. 4-10
Air conditioner control ....................................... 4-10
Air inlet selection ............................................... 4-10
Defrosting........................................................... 4-11Type A and B..................................................... 4-11
Type C............................................................... 4-11
Type D............................................................... 4-11
Operating tips for heater and air
conditioner ...................................................... 4-12
Cleaning ventilation grille ................................... 4-12
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight ........................................................... 4-12
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit .............................................................. 4-12
Checking air conditioning system before summer season ............................................................ 4-12
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather conditions ................. 4-12
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded .............................................. 4-12
Refrigerant for your climate control system ... ..... 4-12
Air filtration system........................................... 4-13Replacing an air filter ......................................... 4-13
Climate control
4

Climate control/Operating tips for heater and air conditioner
Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner
&Cleaning ventilation grille
1) Front ventilation inlet grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet grille
free of snow, leaves, or other obstructions
to ensure efficient heating and defrosting.
Since the condenser is located in front of
the radiator, this area should be kept clean
because cooling performance is impaired
by any accumulation of insects and leaves
on the condenser.
&Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to allow outside air to circulate into the
heated interior. This results in quicker
cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the
windows closed during the operation of
the air conditioner for maximum cooling
efficiency.
&
Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at
a low engine speed (at idle or low driving
speeds) a few minutes each month during
the off-season to circulate its oil.
&Checking air conditioning
system before summer sea-
son
Check the air conditioner unit for refriger-
ant leaks, hose conditions, and proper
operation each spring. Have the air con-
ditioning system checked by your
SUBARU dealer.
&Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high
relative humidity, low temperatures, etc.) a
small amount of water vapor emission
from the air outlets may be noticed. This
condition is normal and does not indicate any problem with the air conditioning
system.
&
Air conditioner compressor
shut-off when engine is
heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage,
the air conditioner compressor is designed
to temporarily shut off during air condi-
tioner operation whenever the accelerator
is fully depressed such as during rapid
acceleration or when driving up a steep
incline.
&Refrigerant for your climate
control system
1) Air conditioner label
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly
4-12