Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester 3rd Gen Owner's Manual

The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that combines versatility, safety, and comfort, making it suitable for both city driving and off-road adventures. To fully utilize and maintain your Forester, it's essential to familiarize yourself with its owner's manual, which provides detailed information on the vehicle's features, operation, and maintenance.

The owner's manual is organized into several key sections to assist you in understanding and operating your vehicle effectively.

How to use this Owner’s Manual

Explains how the manual is organized and how to quickly find relevant information about your Subaru Forester. It also includes tips on interpreting symbols, safety warnings, and cross-referencing features throughout the guide.

Foreword

Warranties

Using your Owner’s Manual

Safety precautions when driving

Outlines the most important safety practices while driving, such as the proper use of seatbelts, airbags, and child restraint systems. It emphasizes accident prevention, safe posture, and the role of vehicle safety technologies in protecting occupants.

Seatbelt and SRS airbag

Child safety

Illustrated index

Provides labeled diagrams of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, helping you easily identify controls, switches, and feature locations before diving into more detailed chapters.

Exterior

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Covers how to properly adjust the seats for comfort and safety, use seatbelts correctly, and understand the functionality of the SRS airbag system. Also includes child safety seat installation and airbag deployment zones.

Front seats

Rear seats

Seatbelts

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Child restraint systems

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Keys and doors

Describes how to use physical keys and keyless entry systems, operate door locks, activate the security alarm, and open the rear gate or moonroof. It also explains window controls and child safety locks.

Keys

Immobilizer

Door locks

Power door locking switches

Remote keyless entry system

Alarm system

Windows

Rear gate

Moonroof (if equipped)

Ignition switch

Meters and gauges

Warning and indicator lights

Information display

Light control switch

Wiper and washer

Mirrors

Defogger and deicer

Climate control

Explains how to use both manual and automatic air conditioning systems, including airflow settings, heater operation, and the cabin air filter system. Offers tips for maintaining comfort in different weather conditions.

Ventilator

Manual climate control system (if equipped)

Automatic climate control system (if equipped)

Operating tips for heater and air conditioner

Air filtration system

Audio

Covers the operation of the vehicle’s radio, CD player, and audio input options such as Bluetooth, USB, and iPod® connectivity. Also explains hands-free phone functions and how to navigate audio menus using steering wheel controls.

Antenna system

Audio set

Power and audio controls

FM/AM radio operation

Satellite radio operation (if equipped)

CD player operation

USB storage device / iPod® operations (type C and D audio)

Audio control buttons (if equipped)

Bluetooth® audio (type C and D audio)

Hands-free system (if equipped)

Screensaver (type D audio)

Interior equipment

Highlights the use of convenience features like the rearview camera, storage compartments, interior lights, power outlets, cup holders, sun visors, and the cargo area cover for organizing and enhancing your cabin experience.

Interior lights

Sun visors

Storage compartment

Cup holders

Accessory power outlets

Cargo area cover (dealer option)

Rear view camera (if equipped)

Starting and operating

Provides guidance on starting the engine, using the transmission (manual or CVT), operating features like cruise control, and understanding the all-wheel-drive system. Also includes information on emission tests and fuel recommendations.

Fuel

State emission testing (U.S. only)

Starting the engine

Remote engine start system (dealer option)

Manual transmission

Automatic transmission

Braking

ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system

Vehicle Dynamics Control system

Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models)

Parking your vehicle

Hill start assist system (MT models)

Cruise control

Driving tips

Shares helpful advice for different driving conditions such as off-roading, winter roads, and towing. Includes break-in recommendations for new vehicles, vehicle loading guidelines, and hill assist features for added control.

New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)

Driving tips for AWD models

On-road and off-road driving

Winter driving

Loading your vehicle

Trailer hitch (dealer option)

Trailer towing

In case of emergency

Offers step-by-step instructions for handling roadside issues like flat tires, dead batteries, overheating, and towing. Includes jack and tool locations, use of the spare tire, and safety reminders when performing emergency tasks.

If you park your vehicle in case of an emergency

Temporary spare tire (if equipped)

Maintenance tools

Flat tires

Jump starting

Engine overheating

Towing

Appearance care

Describes how to properly wash, wax, and care for your Forester’s exterior, along with tips for maintaining interior materials like upholstery and plastic surfaces. Also includes corrosion protection advice for long-term care.

Exterior care

Corrosion protection

Cleaning the interior

Maintenance and service

Covers the service schedule and essential maintenance tasks like checking oil, coolant, transmission fluid, tire pressure, and battery condition. Offers tips for replacing air filters, belts, bulbs, and windshield wiper blades.

Maintenance schedule

Maintenance precautions

Engine compartment overview

Engine oil

Cooling system

Air cleaner element

Spark plugs

Drive belts

Manual transmission oil

Automatic transmission fluid

Front differential gear oil (AT models)

Rear differential gear oil

Power steering fluid

Brake fluid

Clutch fluid (MT models)

Brake pedal

Clutch pedal (MT models)

Replacement of brake pad and lining

Tires and wheels

Windshield washer fluid

Replacement of wiper blades

Battery

Fuses

Replacing bulbs

Specifications

Lists technical specifications such as engine type, vehicle dimensions, weight, fuel tank capacity, and fuse information. This section is useful for reference during maintenance or when replacing parts.

Specifications

Fuses and circuits

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects

Provides tire labeling and load capacity details, as well as a guide to understanding tire quality grades. Includes instructions for reporting safety issues in compliance with U.S. regulations.

For U.S.A.

Tire information

Uniform tire quality grading standards

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