2021 SUBARU FORESTER Getting Started Guide

Fuel Saving Display
Once the Auto Start-Stop System has stopped
the engine, the Fuel Saving Screen will display
in the Combination Meter Display (CMD),
showing how much time the engine was off in
the top line and the amount of fuel saved in
the bottom line. These are the total stop time
and fuel saved since the trip meter was reset.
No Activity Detected Indicator Light
If the operational conditions are not met when the vehicle is stopped, the
engine will not stop and the white Auto Start-Stop No Activity Detected
indicator light will illuminate. It will turn off when the brake pedal is released.
Auto Start-Stop Warning Light
The Auto Start-Stop warning light will illuminate in yellow when initially turning
the ignition switch to the “ON” position. The light will turn off after the engine
has started.
NOTE: If the Auto Start-Stop warning light does not turn off after the engine
has started or is flashing, the Auto Start-Stop system may be malfunctioning. We
recommend that you contact your authorized SUBARU Retailer for an inspection.
INDICATOR PATTERN CONDITION
Solid green This indicator light illuminates when the engine has been
temporarily stopped by the Auto Start-Stop system. It
will turn off when the engine is restarted.
Solid White Operational conditions have not been met, the engine
will not stop and this light will illuminate. The light turns
off once the brake pedal is released.
Solid Yellow This light indicates that the system has been turned off.
The light will turn off once the system is turned back on.
Flashing
YellowA fault has been detected with the Start-Stop system.
Please contact your authorized Subaru Retailer.
OPERATING THE VEHICLE
39

ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB)
To apply the parking brake,
depress the brake pedal and pull
up the parking brake switch. The
indicator light on the parking
brake switch will illuminate and
“PARK” will appear in the
Combination Meter.
To release the parking brake
manually, depress the brake pedal
and push the parking brake
switch down. To automatically
release the parking brake, gently
press the accelerator pedal with
the select lever in the “D” or “R”
position.
NOTE: Automatic parking brake release will not work unless all the doors are closed and
your seatbelt is fastened.
OPERATING THE VEHICLE
40

Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH)
Auto Vehicle Hold gives your feet
a break by automatically holding
your Subaru in place when at a
complete stop, such as a traffic
signal, even after you release the
brake pedal. Press the Auto
Vehicle Hold switch on the center
console to turn on the function.
The AVH indicator in the
combination meter will illuminate.
While your Subaru is being held
by this function, the operation
indicator in the combination meter
will illuminate. The function is
canceled when you depress the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
Press the switch again to turn it
off. The function works with the
select lever in either the “D” or
“R” position.
NOTE:
• For this system to work your
seatbelt must be fastened.
• Make sure to turn off this
function before entering an
automatic car wash.
X-MODE®(if equipped)
X-MODE®is the integrated control system of the
engine, All Wheel Drive, and Vehicle Dynamics Control
(VDC) systems for driving with bad road conditions.
Using X-MODE
®, you can drive more comfortably
even in slippery road conditions, such as mud or
snow, including uphill and downhill. You can activate
the system when the vehicle speed is less than 12 mph. If the vehicle speed reaches
25 mph, the X-MODE
®system is canceled and can be reactivated once the once the
vehicle speed is lower.
ICON MODE
Auto Vehicle Hold ON
Auto Vehicle Hold IN
OPERATION
MFD X-MODE Display
OPERATING THE VEHICLE
41

X-MODE®Standard System
To activate the X-MODE®system, press the X-MODE®
switch. While the system is active, the X-MODE®
indicator appears, and the Multi-Function Display
shows steering direction, vehicle angle, and power
distribution. To deactivate X-MODE
®, press the
X-MODE®switch again.
In certain situations, such as navigating a vehicle
stuck in mud or snow, it may be helpful to allow more
wheel spin by turning off the VDC system. To turn off
the VDC system, turn the Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF switch to the left. Turn the Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF Switch back to “Normal” to reactivate the
VDC system.
X-MODE®Dual Mode System
To activate the X-MODE®system, turn the switch to
the left for SNOW/DIRT or to the right for
D.SNOW/MUD. While the system is active, the
X-MODE
®indicator appears, and the Multi-Function
Display shows steering direction, vehicle angle, and
power distribution. To deactivate X-MODE
®, press the
X-MODE®switch.
• SNOW/DIRT is suitable for driving on slippery road
surfaces such as snow or gravel, where the points
of contact between the tires and road surface are
visible.
• D.SNOW/MUD provides maximum torque from the
engine and the optimal amount of slip in the driving
wheels, enabling the vehicle to free itself more
effectively. It is suitable for driving on a roads where
the tires can become buried, such as deep snow, dry sand, or muddy roads.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
This function helps maintain a constant vehicle speed when driving down steep hills or
declines. HDC is automatically engaged with X-MODE®and functions with the select lever
in the “D” or “R” position.
Standard
Dual Mode
OPERATING THE VEHICLE
42

TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE
Without Push-button Ignition
To stop the engine:
1. Stop your Subaru completely.
2. Move the select lever to the “P” position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to “OFF”.
NOTE: The front windows will remain active for about 40 seconds and the SUBARU
STARLINK
®Multimedia System will remain on for about three minutes or until a door is
opened, whichever occurs first.
With Push-button Ignition
To stop the engine:
1. Stop your Subaru completely.
2. Move the select lever to the “P” position.
3. Press the ignition switch.
NOTE: The front windows will remain active for about 40 seconds and the SUBARU
STARLINK
®Multimedia System will remain on for about three minutes or until a door is
opened, whichever occurs first.
OPERATING THE VEHICLE
43

FUEL FILLER LID
The fuel filler lid is located toward the rear of the
passenger side. To open the lid:
1. Make sure your Subaru is stopped and the select
lever is placed in PARK. Then turn the ignition to
the "LOCK"/ "OFF" position.
2. The fuel filler lid is automatically unlocked when the
ignition is moved to the ”LOCK”/OFF” position, or
by unlocking using the access key fob/transmitter
or door handles.
3. Push the rear side of the lid.
4. When the lid opens slightly, open it further by hand.
While refueling, place the fuel filler cap on the cap
holder inside the lid.
After refueling, put the cap back on and turn it
clockwise until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap while tightening.
To close the lid, press it until you hear it latch.
NOTE: If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or if the tether is caught under the
cap, the Check Engine warning light may illuminate.
FUEL
Use regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher. Do not use fuels
with more than 10% ethanol.
For more information, please refer to the Owner’s Manual.
FUEL CAPACITY
Capacity
Full Fuel Tank
16.6 US gallons
Low Fuel Warning Light
2.5 US gallons
Fuel Filler Lid and Cap
REFUELING
44

FOLDING THE REAR SEATS
First, lower the headrests. Then, pull up on the
release knob until you can see the red at the
bottom of the knob and fold down the seats.
To return the seatback to its original position,
raise the seatback until it locks into place. You
will no longer be able to see the red at the
bottom of the knob when the seat is locked.
If equipped, release latches are located on
either side of the cargo area. Pull the release
latch on the seat side that you want to fold
down.
CHILD SAFETY LOCKS
The child safety locks are located on the inside
edges of the rear doors. In the locked position,
the rear doors can only be opened from the
outside.
Seat Release Knob
Seat Release Latch
PASSENGER/CARGO AREAS
45

LATCH/ANCHOR
Your Subaru is equipped with Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children (LATCH). For
maximum safety, first carefully read the LATCH
system instructions from the device
manufacturer, as well as the installation
instructions in your Owner’s Manual, to
properly install the LATCH compatible restraint
system. Use the appropriate seatbelts or
anchorages provided in your Subaru. Children
age 12 and under must properly occupy the
rear seat at all times.
PASSENGER/CARGO AREAS
46