2017 SUBARU FORESTER malfunction indicator 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

and OFF indicators do not work properly
even when the front passenger’s seat is
dry, do not allow anyone to sit on the front
passenger ’s seat and have the occupant
detection system checked by your
SUBARU dealer.
Also, if luggage or electronic devices are
placed on the front passenger ’s seat, this
may adversely affect the ability of the
system to determine deployment. This
may prevent the front passenger ’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indicators from work-
ing properly. Check that the indicators
work properly.
When the OFF indicator turns off and the
ON indicator illuminates, the front passen-
ger ’s frontal airbag may deploy during a
collision. Remove luggage and electronic
devices from the front passenger ’s seat.
CAUTION
Electrical devices, such as cell
phones, laptops, portable music
players, or electronic games, espe-
cially when connected to the acces-
sory power outlet and placed on the
front passenger ’s seat or used by
the person sitting in the front pas-
senger ’s seat, may affect the opera-
tion of the occupant detection sys-
tem. If either of the following situa- tions occurs when using an electro-
nic device in the vehicle, at first try
to relocate that device to avoid it
creating any interference.
.
The SRS airbag system warning
light illuminates.
. The front passenger ’s frontal air-
bag ON and OFF indicators oper-
ate erratically.
If the device continues to cause
interference, the use of that device
in the vehicle should be discontin-
ued.
! Conditions in which front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal airbag is not
activated
The front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
will not be activated when any of the
following conditions are met regarding the
front passenger ’s seat:
. The seat is empty.
. The seat is equipped with an appro-
priate child restraint system and an infant
is restrained in it. (See WARNING that
follows.)
. The front passenger ’s occupant detec-
tion system is malfunctioning.
WARNING
NEVER INSTALL A FORWARD OR
REARWARD FACING CHILD SEAT
IN THE FRONT PASSENGER ’S SEAT
EVEN IF THE FRONT PASSEN-
GER ’S SRS FRONTAL AIRBAG IS
DEACTIVATED. Be sure to install it
in the REAR seat in a correct
manner. Also, it is strongly recom-
mended that any forward facing
child seat or booster seat be in-
stalled in the REAR seat, and that
even children who have outgrown a
child restraint system be also
seated in the REAR seat. This is
because children sitting in the front
passenger ’s seat may be killed or
severely injured should the front
passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag de-
ploy. REAR seats are the safest
place for children.
CAUTION
When the front passenger ’s seat is
occupied by an infant in an appro-
priate child restraint system, ob-
serve the following precautions.
Failure to do so may interfere with
the proper operation of the occu-
pant detection system, activating
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
–CONTINUED –1-53

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
SRS airbag system warning light (type B)
A diagnostic system continually monitors
the readiness of the SRS airbag system
(including front seatbelt pretensioners)
while the vehicle is being driven. The
SRS airbag system warning light will show
normal system operation by illuminating
for approximately 6 seconds when the
ignition switch is turned to the“ON ”
position.
The following components are monitored
by the indicator:
. Front sub sensor
– Right-hand side
– Left-hand side
. Airbag control module (including im-
pact sensor and rollover sensor)
. Frontal airbag module –
Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Knee airbag module (driver ’s side)
. Side airbag sensor
– Center pillar right-hand side
– Center pillar left-hand side
. Front door impact sensor
– Right-hand side
– Left-hand side
. Side airbag module
– Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Curtain airbag sensor
– Rear wheel house right-hand side
– Rear wheel house left-hand side
. Curtain airbag module
– Right-hand side
– Left-hand side
. Satellite safing sensor (under the rear
center seat)
. Seatbelt pretensioner
– Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Lap belt pretensioner
– Front passenger ’s side
. Seatbelt buckle switch (front passen-
ger ’s side)
. Front passenger ’s occupant detection
system sensor
. Front passenger ’s occupant detection control module
. Front passenger ’s
frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicator
. All related wiring
WARNING
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt
pretensioners and/or SRS airbag
system.
.Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
. No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON ”position
. Continuous illumination of the
warning light
. Illumination of the warning light
while driving
Immediately take your vehicle to
your nearest SUBARU dealer to
have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in
the event of a collision, which may
increase the risk of injury.
1-70

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

&Switching power status
1) Operation indicator
2) Push-button ignition switch
The power is switched every time the
push-button ignition switch is pressed.
1. Carry the access key, and sit in the
driver ’s seat.
2. Shift the select lever into the “P ”
position.
3. Press the push-button ignition switch
without depressing the brake pedal. Every
time the button is pressed, the power is
switched in the sequence of “OFF ”,
“ACC ”,“ON ”and “OFF ”. When the engine
is stopped and the push-button ignition
switch is in “ACC”or “ON ”, the operation
indicator on the push-button ignition
switch illuminates in orange.
Power status Indicator color Operation
OFF Turned off Power is turned
off.
ACC Orange The following
systems can be used:
audio and ac-
cessory power
outlet.
ON Orange
(while engine is stopped) All electrical
systems can be
used.
Turned off
(while engine is
running)
CAUTION
.When the push-button ignition
switch is left in “ON ”or “ACC ”
for a long time, it may result in
vehicle battery discharge.
. Do not spill drinks or other
liquids on the push-button igni-
tion switch. It may cause a mal-
function.
. Do not touch the push-button
ignition switch with a hand soiled
with oil or other contaminants. It
may cause a malfunction.
. If the push-button ignition switch does not operate smoothly, stop
the operation. Contact a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
. If the push-button ignition switch
does not illuminate even when
the instrument panel illumination
is turned on, have the vehicle
inspected at a SUBARU dealer.
. If the vehicle was left in the hot
sun for a long time, the surface of
the push-button ignition switch
may get hot. Be careful not to
burn yourself.
NOTE
. When operating the push-button
ignition switch, firmly press it all the
way.
. If the push-button ignition switch is
pressed quickly, the power may not
turn on or off.
. If the indicator light on the push-
button ignition switch flashes in green
when the push-button ignition switch is
pressed, steering is locked. When this
occurs, press the push-button ignition
switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
Instruments and controls/Push –button ignition switch (models with push –button start system)
–CONTINUED –3-7

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

operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is
turned ON next time, however, the
complete sequence of the warning
operation resumes. For further details
about canceling the warning operation,
please contact your SUBARU dealer.
If there is no passenger on the front
passenger’s seat, the seatbelt warning
device for the front passenger ’s seat will
be deactivated. The front passenger ’s
occupant detection system monitors
whether or not there is a passenger on
the front passenger ’s seat.
Observe the following precautions. Failure
to do so may prevent the device from
functioning correctly or cause the device
to fail.
. Do not install any accessory such as a
table or TV onto the seatback.
. Do not store a heavy load in the
seatback pocket.
. Do not allow the rear seat occupant to
place his/her hands or legs on the front
passenger ’s seatback, or allow him/her to
pull the seatback.
. Do not use front seats with their back-
ward-forward position and seatback not
being locked into place securely. If any of
them are not locked securely, adjust them again. For adjusting procedure, refer to
“Front seats
”F 1-2.
If the seatbelt warning device for the front
passenger ’s seat does not function cor-
rectly (e.g., it is activated even when the
front passenger ’s seat is empty or it is
deactivated even when the front passen-
ger has not fastened his/her seatbelt),
take the following actions.
. Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than a child restraint system
and its child occupant, although we
strongly recommend that all children sit
in the rear seat properly restrained.
. Ensure that there is no article left in the
seatback pocket.
. Ensure that the backward-forward po-
sition and seatback of front passenger ’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth.
If still the seatbelt warning device for front
passenger ’s seat does not function cor-
rectly after taking relevant corrective ac-
tions described above, immediately con-
tact your SUBARU dealer for an inspec-
tion.&SRS airbag system
warning light
WARNING
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt
pretensioners and/or SRS airbag
system. Immediately take your vehi-
cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer
to have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in
the event of a collision, which may
increase the risk of injury.
. Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
. No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON ”position
. Continuous illumination of the
warning light
. Illumination of the warning light
while driving
For more details about the SRS airbag
system warning light, refer to “SRS airbag
system monitors ”F 1-69.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-15

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
&Front passenger ’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indica-
tors
ON /: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
indicator
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator
The front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of
the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located next to the
clock in the center portion of the dash-
board.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ”position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators turn
off for 2 seconds. After that, one of the indicators illuminates depending on the
status of the front passenger
’s SRS frontal
airbag determined by the SUBARU ad-
vanced frontal airbag system monitoring.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF
indicator will remain off.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger ’sfrontal
airbag ON indicator will remain off while
the OFF indicator will illuminate.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON ”
position, if both the ON and OFF indica-
tors remain illuminated or off simulta-
neously even after the system check
period, the system is malfunctioning.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately for an inspection.&CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator light
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE light illumi-
nates while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked/repaired by
your SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible. Continued vehicle opera-
tion without having the emission control system checked and re-
paired as necessary could cause
serious damage, which may not be
covered by your vehicle
’s warranty.
If this light illuminates steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential
problem somewhere in the emission con-
trol system.
! If the light illuminates steadily
If the light illuminates steadily while driving
or does not turn off after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light also illuminates when the fuel
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator light illuminating
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/malfunction indicator light
3-16