Subaru 2015 Forester User manual

2015 Quick Reference Guide

2
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
DRIVER’S AREA
Tilt / telescopic steering wheel
AHazard warning asher B
E
H
B
A
D
G
F
C
I J
M
L
K
To turn on, press the button.
Use in emergency conditions.
KK
PN
O
P
Adjust the seat position and pull the tilt/telescopic
lock lever down. Move the steering wheel to the
desired level. Pull the lever up to lock the steering
wheel in place. Make sure that the steering wheel
is securely locked by trying to move it up and down,
and forward and backward.
J
Q
CIgnition switch
LOCK: Insertion and removal of key, steering lock.
ACC: Electrical accessories usage
ON: Normal operating position after engine is started
START: Engine is started
The key can be turned from ACC to LOCK position only when the select
lever is in the Pposition (CVT models) and the key is pushed in while
turning it (all models).

3
FORESTER
To turn on, rotate dial to .
Fog lights operate only when headlight switch is in:
- position.
- AUTO position and the headlights are on.
Headlights / Turn signal
D
1
Fog lights (if equipped)
E
Even if the key is removed from the ignition switch and the lights turn off, the lights can be illuminated
again by turning the light control switch from (off) to or .
To prevent the battery from being discharged, before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the light control
switch is turned to (off).
1Headlights
To turn on, rotate knob to;
:Instrument panel illumination, headlights, parking
lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker
lights, tail lights and license plate lights are on.
:Instrument panel illumination, parking lights, front
side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights
and license plate lights are on.
AUTO (if equipped) : Headlights and the lights mentioned
above are automatically ON / OFF.
:The headlights are all off.
2
3
3
3Turn signal
Move lever up or down.
Windshield wiper and washer
1Wiper
To operate, push lever down/up to the following positions:
:Mist (for a single wipe)
:Off
:Intermittent
:Low speed
:High speed
2Intermittent time control
To change interval speed, turn dial.
3Washer
To wash the windshield, pull the wiper control lever toward you.
F
1
2
3
2High/low beam change
To change to high beam, push lever forward. To return, pull back to original position.
To ash high beams, pull lever back and release.

4
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
Remote control mirror switch
Ignition switch must be in ACC or ON.
To select mirror, turn the knob 1to Lfor the left, Rfor
the right.
To adjust the mirror, move the knob 2in the direction you
want to move the mirror.
H
Rear window wiper and washer
G
1 2
Illumination brightness control
To adjust brightness of the instrument panel illumination, turn dial.
When the control dial is turned fully upward to position, the illumination
brightness becomes the maximum and the automatic dimming function
does not work at all.
I
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch
J
models with power rear gate
Wiper
To operate, rotate knob to;
:Continuous
:Intermittent
:Off
Washer
Rotate knob to . The washer and
wiper operate until you release the knob.
-In the intermittent position, when you move the select lever to the R
position (CVT) or the shift lever to the reverse position (MT), the rear
wiper will switch to continuous operation.
-Even if the rear wiper switch is in the off position, while the shift
lever/select lever is in the Rposition with the windshield wiper
operating continuously, the rear wiper will operate intermittently.
To deactivate Vehicle Dynamics Control, push switch. The Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator
lights illuminates.
Deactivation should not be used except when absolutely necessary.
Please refer to Owner’s Manual as to when Vehicle Dynamics Control should be deactivated.
VDC OFF
indicator
models without power rear gate

5
FORESTER
Manual transmission (if equipped)
K
Continuously variable transmission (if equipped)
P = Park
To move select lever from Park:
Firmly depress brake pedal.
R = Reverse
N = Neutral No gear engaged.
D = Drive For normal driving.
M = Manual mode
L = L position
K
L position: L is for using engine braking when going down
a hill, etc. To select this mode, move the select
lever from the D position to the L position.
Manual mode: With the vehicle either moving or stationary,
move the select lever from the Dposition to
the Mposition to select the manual mode.
Gearshifts can be performed using the shift paddle behind the steering wheel.
To upshift to the next higher gear position, pull the shift paddle that has “+”
indicated on it. To downshift to the next lower gear position, pull the shift
paddle that has “–” indicated on it.
Models with
Manual mode
Models with
“L” position
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while pressing the button in
Shift while pressing the button in
Shift without pressing the button
You must raise the slider and hold it in that position before you can
move the shift lever to the Rposition.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch pedal, move the shift lever,
and gradually let up on the clutch pedal.
Select lever button
X-mode (if equipped)
L
To activate:
Press the X-mode switch. While the X-mode is activated, the X-mode
indicator light illuminates.
To deactivate:
Press the X-mode switch again. The X-mode indicator light will turn off.
X-mode
indicator
Hill descent control function:
Using the hill descent control function, you can operate the vehicle keeping
to a consistent speed downhill.
If the vehicle speed is likely to increase, the brake control system will be
activated to adjust the vehicle speed.
Hill descent
control indicator
X-mode is the integrated control system of the engine, AWD and Vehicle Dynamics Control system for
driving with bad road conditions.
Slider

6
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
SI-DRIVE switches (if equipped)
M
Intelligent (I) mode: Perform either of the following procedures.
- Press the S/I switch when the Sport (S) mode is selected.
- Press the S#/I switch when the Sport Sharp (S#) mode is selected.
Sport (S) mode: Press the S/ I switch when any mode other than
Sport (S) mode is selected.
Sport Sharp (S#) mode: Press the S#/I switch when any mode other
than Sport Sharp (S#) mode is selected.
Audio control buttons
N
Information display (if equipped)
O
1 2 3 1Outside temperature indicator
2Driving information display:
With the ignition switch in the ON position, each successive press
of the information display selection knob switches the display.
3Clock
Models with Hands-free system
Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for the models without
Hands-free systems.
These buttons allow the driver to control audio functions without
taking his/her hands off the steering wheel. For the detail and the
preparation, please refer to your Owner’s Manual.
This system consists of three modes: Intelligent (I), Sport (S), and Sport Sharp (S#).
By operating the SI-DRIVE switches, the character of the power unit changes.
Multi function display (if equipped)
P
1Outside temperature indicator
2Information reminder:
If the information reminder appears, pull /SET switch
on the steering wheel toward you to recall the message.
3Top display:
Displays the driving range on remaining fuel, average
fuel consumption or current fuel consumption.
4Clock
5Driving information display/Control switch:
By operating ▲ or ▼ of the control switch, the screens
and selection items can be switched.
31 2 4
5
Control
switch Control switch: By operating ▲ or ▼ of the control switch,
the screens and selection items can be switched.
For the detail, please refer to
your Owner’s Manual.

7
FORESTER
Cruise control (if equipped)
Q
Cruise control enables you to maintain a constant vehicle speed without
holding your foot on the accelerator pedal and it is operative when the
vehicle speed is 40 km/h (25 mph) or more.
1To activate: Press the cruise control main button.
2To set speed: Press the RES/SET switch to the SET side at desired speed
and release it.
3To increase the speed:
- Press the RES/SET switch to the RES side and hold it, and then release at
desired speed.
- Depress accelerator pedal, and press the RES/SET switch to the SET side
at desired speed.
- For incremental acceleration, press the RES/SET switch to the RES side
quickly. *Each tap = plus 1 km/h (0.6 mph)
4To decrease the speed:
- Press the RES/SET switch to the SET side and hold it, and then release at
desired speed.
- Depress brake pedal, and press the RES/SET switch to the SET side
at desired speed.
- For incremental deceleration, press the RES/SET switch to the SET
side quickly. *Each tap = minus 1 km/h (0.6 mph)
5To temporarily cancel:
- Press the CANCEL button.
- Depress brake pedal or the clutch pedal (MT).
-Press the X-mode switch to activate the X-mode (models with
X-mode).
To return to preset speed after it has been canceled, press the
RES/SET switch to the RES side.
6To deactivate: Push the cruise control main button. Cruise control is
always deactivated when ignition switch is turned to ACC or LOCK/OFF.
2
1
5
3
4
6
Cruise control set indicator
Cruise control indicator
The cruise control main
button is pressed to activate
the cruise control function.
The vehicle speed has
been set to use the
cruise control function.
For models with the EyeSightTM system: Refer to the Owner’s Manual supplement for the EyeSight system.

8
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
SELECT
METERS / INDICATORS
B D G H
C FE
A
Speedometer
ATachometer BFuel gauge COdometer / Trip meter D
Press to select between trip A and trip B.
Press and hold to reset selected trip meter.
For other functions, please refer to Owner’s Manual.
Trip meter A/B selection and reset knob
E
This indicator shows the position of the select lever.
For models with manual mode, when the manual
mode is selected, the gear position indicator
(which shows the current gear selection) and the
upshift/downshift indicator light up.
Select lever / gear position indicator
G
See page 7.
Cruise control indicator / Cruise control
set indicator
H
Press this knob to switch the display.
For the details, please refer to Owner’s Manual.
Information display selection knob
F
The design may be slightly different from the illustrations depending on the models and destinations.
For models with the EyeSight system: Refer to the Owner’s Manual supplement for the EyeSight system.
Eco gauge
I
I

9
FORESTER
MAIN WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for countermeasures when each warning light comes on.
If necessary, consult your authorized Subaru dealer.
*Some warning/indicator lights illuminate for a few seconds in order to check themselves when the ignition
switch is turned ON.
PASSENGER
Seatbelt warning
SRS airbag system warning
Charge warning
Low fuel warning
Hill start assist warning / Hill start
assist OFF indicator
Brake system warning
Oil pressure warning
Engine low oil level warning
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning / Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator
Coolant temperature low indicator /Coolant temperature high warning
Front passenger’s frontal airbag
ON and OFF indicators
Remind the driver to fasten seatbelt.
Frontal, side and curtain airbag or
seatbelt pretensioner malfunction.
Charging system malfunction.
Fuel level is low. Rell fuel immediately.
Warning: Hill start assist system malfunction
Indicator: Hill start assist system OFF
Parking brake on / Low uid level / EBD
System malfunction (Anti-lock brake system
warning light illuminates simultaneously)/
The vacuum pump system malfunction.
Engine oil pressure is too low.
The engine oil level decreases to the
lower limit.
Warning: Vehicle Dynamics Control system malfunction.
Indicator: Flashes during activation of the skid suppression function and the traction control function.
Illumination in BLUE: insufcient warming up of the engine.
Illumination / blinking in RED: engine overheating / almost overheating.
Blinking in RED and BLUE alternately: electrical system malfunction.
The indicators show you the status of
the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.
Location: next to multi function display.
Front passenger’s seatbelt warning
CHECK ENGINE warning /
Malfunction indicator
Power steering warning
All-wheel drive warning (CVT)
AT OIL TEMP warning (CVT)
ABS warning
Door open warning
Windshield washer uid warning
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator
Remind the front passenger to fasten seatbelt.
Location: next to multi function display.
Engine/emission control system malfunction.
The electric power steering system
malfunction.
With tires of different diameter tted or with the
air pressure excessively low in any of its tires.
Illumination: Transmission uid temperature
is too hot
Blinking: Transmission control system
malfunction.
Anti-lock Brake System malfunction / EBD
system malfunction (Brake system warning
light illuminates simultaneously).
Door or rear gate is ajar.
The uid level in the windshield washer
uid tank decreases to the lower limit.
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch is
pressed to deactivate the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system.

10
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
SEAT, SEATBELT
Front seat adjustment
A
A
B
D
F
C
C
E
G
G
1
2
3
2
1
2
4
3
Head restraint adjustment
B
12
1Height adjustment:
To raise: Pull the head restraint up.
To lower:
Push the head restraint down while pressing the
release button on the top of the seatback.
2Angle adjustment:
To tilt :
Tilt the head restraint by hand to the preferred position.
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.
Power seat (driver’s seat – if equipped)
1Forward and backward adjustment: Move switch
forward or backward.
2Seat cushion angle: Pull up or push down the front end
of switch.
3Seat height adjustment: Pull up or push down the rear
end of switch.
4Seatback reclining: Move switch forward or backward.
5Lumbar support control: Push the front side or the rear
side of the switch.
Manual seat (if equipped)
1Forward and backward adjustment: Pull bar up and
slide seat forward or backward.
2Seat height adjustment (driver’s seat only): Pull lever
up to raise seat; push lever down to lower it.
3Seatback reclining: Pull lever up and move seatback
forward or backward.
5

11
FORESTER
Folding down
rear seatback
To fold rear seatback down,
pull release knob and fold
seatback down.
C
Lower anchorages Top tether anchorages
Lower anchorages are
provided for installing a
child restraint system.
They are located
behind the cover of
seat back bottom. See
the Owner’s Manual
Chapter 1 for details.
Top tether anchorages
are provided for
installing child restraint
system with top tether.
They are located on
the back side of the
rear seat back. See
the Owner’s Manual
Chapter 1 for details.
G H
Seat heater
HIGH: Rapid heating
LOW: Normal heating
DFront seatbelt
anchor height
To raise: Slide the anchor up.
To lower: Pull the release knob
and slide the anchor down.
E
Rear center seatbelt
F
3 4
1 2
To fasten:
1Remove the tongue plate from the slot
in the recess by pulling the tongue plate,
then pull out the seatbelt slowly.
2Pass the seatbelt through the belt guide.
3Connect webbing end to connector.
4Fasten the seatbelt in the usual way.
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
LOW
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
LOW
To disconnect connector
from the buckle:
Insert a tongue plate or
other hard pointed object
into the slot in the buckle.
See the Owner’s Manual Chapter 1 for details.

12
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS
Remote keyless entry
Power door locking switch
To lock all doors and rear gate, push front side of the switch.
To unlock all doors and rear gate, push rear side of the switch.
Power windows
Child safety locks
Located on the edge of the rear doors.
While lever is in the locked position, rear door cannot be opened
from the inside.
Remote
transmitter key
Ignition switch must be in ON.
1For driver’s window
One-touch auto down: Push down switch rmly and release, window
goes down all the way; pull switch up briey
to stop; press lightly and hold for normal
operation.
One-touch auto up: Pull up switch rmly and release, window goes up
all the way; push switch briey to stop; pull lightly
and hold for normal operation.
1
2
3
2
2
Unlocking :Press . Driver’s door will be unlocked.To unlock all doors
and rear gate, briey press the button a second time within
5 seconds.
Locking :Press . All doors and the rear gate will be locked.
Unlocking rear gate : Press . For models with power rear gate refer
to page 13.
For door unlock selection function, refer to Owner’s Manual chapter 2.
2For passenger’s window (front and rear)
Push switch down and hold to open; pull back and hold to close.
3Lock switch
Press button down until clicks, only driver’s window operates; press again and passenger windows
function again.
PANIC

13
FORESTER
Sunroof switch (if equipped)
1Open: Press the rear side.
2Close: Press the front side.
1
2
To open engine
hood, pull lever
backward.
To open fuel ller
lid, pull lever up.
Power rear gate (if equipped)
202399
Memory function
Your desired rear gate height can be registered with the memory switch.
Please refer to Owner’s Manual chapter 2.
Power rear gate button on
the Instrument panel
Power rear gate button
on the rear gate
Power rear gate button
on the remote transmitter
PANIC
To open the rear gate:
Perform any of the following procedures when the rear gate is closed.
- Press and hold the power rear gate button on the instrument panel.
- Press and hold the power rear gate button on the remote transmitter.
- Press the rear gate opener button. (See page 12.)
To close the rear gate:
Perform any of the following procedures when the rear gate is opened.
- Press and hold the power rear gate button on the instrument panel.
- Briey press the power rear gate button on the rear gate.
- Press and hold the power rear gate button on the remote transmitter.
Hood lock release knobFuel ller lid release lever
Memory
switch

14
Some functions are available on certain models. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult your Owner’s Manual.
CLIMATE CONTROL
Press button to turn on rear window defogger, outside mirror defogger (if equipped) or wiper deicer
(if equipped). The function will automatically shut off after about 15 min.
Rear window defogger / Outside mirror defogger (if equipped) /
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped)
D
Type A
Fan speed control dial
Turn dial to turn on and to select fan speeds.
B
Turn dial or press the button to select the desired air ow mode. For type A, to defrost windshield,
place the dial in the or position.
Airow mode selection dial / button
A
Air inlet selection button
Press button to select air inlet.
ON (recirculation): The indicator light illuminates.
OFF (outside air): The indicator light is off.
EAir conditioner button
Press A/C button to select air conditioner ON/OFF.
ON: The indicator light illuminates.
OFF: The indicator light is off.
F
Temperature control dial
C
E
BC C
DHG F I
A J
Control panel
for Type B
Type B
Turn the dial to set the preferred interior temperature.
Type B: When the DUAL mode is selected, the setting of the driver’s side and passenger’s side
temperature can be changed independently.
E
BA C
FD

15
FORESTER
Engine compartment overview
1Brake uid reservoir / Clutch uid
reservoir (MT)
2Engine oil level gauge
3Engine coolant reservoir
4Windshield washer tank
1
2 3 4
AUTO button (for type B only)
FULL AUTO mode operation:
When the AUTO button is pressed, the indicator light FULL AUTO on the display illuminates.
In this state, fan speed, air ow distribution, air-inlet control, and air conditioner compressor operation
are automatically controlled.
G
AUTO mode operation:
If you operate any of the buttons on the control panel other than the OFF button, rear window defogger
button and temperature control dial(s) during FULL AUTO mode operation, the FULL indicator light on the
control panel will turn off and AUTO will remain illuminated. You can then manually control the system as
desired using the button you operated. To change the system back to the FULL AUTO mode, press the
AUTO button.
OFF button (for type B only)
Press this button to turn off the climate
control system.
HDefroster button (for type B only)
Press this button to defrost windshield.
I
DUAL mode button (for type B only)
Press this button to separate temperature settings for the driver’s side and passenger’s side.
J
MAINTENANCE
To keep your vehicle in proper operating condition and to assure peak performance at all times, the
recommended maintenance service should be performed in accordance with the maintenance schedule.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for information on maintenance items and intervals.
Also, we recommend that you check your vehicle yourself daily for more comfortable use of your vehicle.
When you are going to check your vehicle yourself, please do so in compliance with Chapter 11 in the
Owner’s Manual.
For models with other type of engine,
refer to Owner’s Manual.

All illustrations, specications, features and photographs contained in this brochure are based on product information available at the time of
its printing, and may not be completely accurate following its publication. Colours shown may vary due to reproduction variations in the printing
process, and some vehicle parts cannot be shown in certain photographs. Subaru Canada, Inc. reserves the right to discontinue or make changes
at any time, without notice or incurring obligations, to colours, materials, equipment, accessories, features, specications and models, or to change
their prices. Please visit our Web site for the latest information and specications. For detailed operating and safety information, please consult
your Owner’s Manual. For complete details on product updates, warranties or the Subaru C.A.R.E. program, please contact your Subaru dealer.
Forester and Subaru are registered trademarks. Printed in Canada. © 2014 Subaru Canada, Inc. 2015 model year.
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