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2004 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 306

2004 Subaru Forester Manual

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Driving tips Model Conditions Maximum total trailer weight 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 2,400 lbs (1,087 kg) 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 2,000 lbs (906 kg) 2,400 lbs (1,087 kg)* Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) MT models When towing a trailer without brakes. When towing a trailer with brakes. AT models When towing a trailer without brakes. When towing a trailer with brakes. US8508AA Gross Vehicle Weight When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104° F (40° C) or above. *: Turbo model 1,000 lbs (453 kg) The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the combined total of the weight of the vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional equipment installed on your vehicle. Therefore, the GVW changes depending on the situation. Determine the GVW each time before going on a trip by putting your vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale. - CONTINUED - 8-27

Section	Page
1. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags	28
Front seats	29
Fore and aft adjustment	30
Reclining the seatback	31
Seat height adjustment (driver’s seat)	32
Lumbar support	32
Head restraint adjustment	33
Active head restraint	34
Seat heater (if equipped)	35
Rear seats	36
Headrest adjustment	37
Folding down the rear seatback	38
Seatbelts	39
Seatbelt safety tips	39
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)	40
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR)	41
Seatbelt warning light and chime	41
Fastening the seatbelt	41
Seatbelt maintenance	53
Seatbelt extender	54
Front seatbelt pretensioners	55
System monitors	57
System servicing	58
Precautions against vehicle modification	58
Child restraint systems	59
Where to place a child restraint system	61
Choosing a child restraint system	63
Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR seatbelt	63
Installing a booster seat	68
Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH)	70
Top tether anchorages	74
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)	77
Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s SRS airbags and lap/shoulder restraints	77
SRS frontal airbag	82
SRS side airbag (if equipped)	90
SRS airbag system monitors	98
SRS airbag system servicing	99
Precautions against vehicle modification	100
2. Keys and doors	102
Keys	103
Key number	103
Door locks	104
Locking and unlocking from the outside	104
Locking and unlocking from the inside	105
Power door locking switches	106
Remote keyless entry system (if equipped)	107
Locking the doors	108
Unlocking the doors	108
Illuminated entry	109
Vehicle finder function	109
Sounding a panic alarm	109
Selecting audible signal operation	109
Replacing the battery	110
Replacing lost transmitters	111
Security system (if equipped)	115
System operation	115
Arming the system	115
Disarming the system	117
Valet mode	118
Passive arming	118
Child safety locks	121
Windows	122
Power windows	122
Rear gate	125
Moonroof (if equipped)	127
To open the moonroof	127
To close the moonroof	127
Anti-entrapment function	127
3. Instruments and controls	130
Ignition switch	131
LOCK	131
ACC	132
ON	132
START	132
Key reminder chime	132
Hazard warning flasher	134
Meters and gauges	134
Speedometer	134
Odometer/Trip meter	134
Tachometer	135
Fuel gauge	136
Temperature gauge	137
Ambient temperature gauge	138
Warning and indicator lights	139
Seatbelt warning light and chime	139
SRS airbag system warning light	139
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp	140
Charge warning light	141
Oil pressure warning light	141
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles)	141
ABS warning light	141
Brake system warning light	142
Door open warning lights	144
Low fuel warning light	144
Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles)	144
Shift position indicator (AT vehicles)	144
Turn signal indicator lights	144
High beam indicator light	145
Cruise control indicator light	145
Clock	145
Light control switch	146
Headlights	147
High/low beam change (dimmer)	147
Headlight flasher	148
Daytime running light system	148
Turn signal lever	149
Illumination brightness control	150
Parking light switch	150
Fog light switch (if equipped)	151
Wiper and washer	151
Windshield wiper and washer switches	153
Rear window wiper and washer switch	155
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped)	156
Rear window defogger switch	157
Mirrors	158
Inside mirror	158
Outside mirrors	161
Tilt steering wheel	163
Horn	164
4. Climate control	166
Ventilator	167
Air flow selection	167
Center and side ventilators	168
Manual climate control system	169
Control panel	169
Heater operation	171
Air conditioner operation (if equipped)	174
Automatic climate control system (if equipped)	175
Temperature sensors	181
Operating tips for heater and air conditioner	182
Cleaning ventilation grille	182
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight	182
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit	182
Checking air conditioning system before summer season	182
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather conditions	183
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded	183
Refrigerant for your climate control system	183
Air filtration system (if equipped)	183
Replacing an air filter	184
5. Audio	188
Antenna system	189
FM reception	189
Installation of accessories	190
Audio set	190
Type A audio set	190
Type B audio set	191
In-dash 6 CD auto changer (Optional audio unit ‐ if equipped)	191
Type A audio set (if equipped)	192
Radio operation	192
Compact disc player operation	197
CD changer control (If optional in-dash CD changer is connected)	200
Type B audio set (if equipped)	203
Radio operation	203
Built-in CD changer operation	209
In-dash 6 CD auto changer (if equipped)	214
Loading and unloading compact discs	214
Precautions to observe when handling a compact disc (CD)	217
6. Interior equipment	220
Interior lights	221
Dome light	221
Cargo area light	221
Map lights	222
Sun visors	222
Vanity mirror	223
Storage compartments	223
Glove box	224
Center console	224
Overhead console	225
Dashboard storage compartment	225
Convenience net	226
Coin tray	226
Cup holders	227
Front passenger’s cup holder	227
Rear passenger’s cup holder	227
Accessory power outlets	228
Cigarette lighter socket	230
Use with a cigarette lighter	231
Using as an accessory power outlet	232
Ashtray	233
Floor mat	234
Coat hook	235
Cargo area cover (if equipped)	235
Using the cover	235
To remove the cover	236
To install the cover housing	236
Shopping bag hook	237
Cargo tie-down hooks	237
Under-floor storage compartment	238
7. Starting and operating	242
Fuel	243
Fuel requirements	243
Fuel filler lid and cap	245
State emission testing (U. S. only)	247
Preparing to drive	249
Starting the engine	250
Manual transmission vehicle	250
Automatic transmission vehicle	250
Starting the engine during cold weather below -4 °F (-20 °C)	251
Starting a flooded engine	251
Stopping the engine	252
Manual transmission	252
Shifting speeds	253
Driving tips	254
Automatic transmission	255
Selector lever for automatic transmission	256
Shift lock release	260
Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped)	261
Power steering	262
Braking	262
Braking tips	262
Brake system	263
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators	263
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)	264
ABS system self-check	264
ABS warning light	265
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system (if equipped)	266
Steps to take if EBD system fails	267
Parking your vehicle	268
Parking brake	268
Parking tips	269
Hill holder (for manual transmission ― if equipped)	271
Cruise control (if equipped)	272
To set cruise control	273
To temporarily cancel the cruise control	273
To turn off the cruise control	274
To change the cruising speed	275
Self-leveling rear suspension (if equipped)	277
8. Driving tips	280
New vehicle break-in driving - the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)	281
Fuel economy hints	281
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)	282
Catalytic converter	283
Periodic inspections	284
Driving in foreign countries	285
Driving tips for AWD vehicles	285
Off road driving	287
Winter driving	289
Operation during cold weather	289
Driving on snowy and icy roads	290
Corrosion protection	291
Snow tires	292
Tire chains	292
Rocking the vehicle	293
Loading your vehicle	293
Vehicle capacity weight	295
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating)	296
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped)	296
Trailer hitch (if equipped)	301
Connecting a trailer	302
When you do not tow a trailer	304
Trailer towing	304
Warranties and maintenance	304
Maximum load limits	305
Trailer hitches	309
Connecting a trailer	310
Trailer towing tips	312
9. In case of emergency	316
If you park your vehicle in case of an emergency	317
Flat tires	318
Changing a flat tire	318
Jump starting	324
How to jump start	325
Engine overheating	327
If steam is coming from the engine compartment	327
If no steam is coming from the engine compartment	327
Towing	328
Towing and tie-down hooks	328
Using a flat-bed truck	330
Towing with all wheels on the ground	330
Rear gate ‐ if the rear gate cannot be unlocked	332
Moonroof ‐ if the moonroof cannot be closed	333
Maintenance tools	334
Jack and jack handle	334
10. Appearance care	336
Exterior care	337
Washing	337
Waxing and polishing	338
Cleaning aluminum wheels	338
Corrosion protection	339
Most common causes of corrosion	339
To help prevent corrosion	340
Cleaning the interior	341
Seat fabric	341
Leather seat materials	341
Synthetic leather upholstery	341
Ashtray	342
Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument panel, console panel, switches, combination meter, and other plastic surfaces	342
11. Maintenance and service	344
Maintenance schedule	346
Maintenance precautions	346
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment	347
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running	348
Engine hood	348
Engine compartment overview	351
Engine oil	353
Checking the oil level	353
Changing the oil and oil filter	354
Recommended grade and viscosity	356
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions	358
Synthetic oil	358
Cooling system	358
Cooling fan, hose and connections	359
Engine coolant	359
Air cleaner element	363
Replacing the air cleaner element	363
Spark plugs	366
Recommended spark plugs	367
Drive belts	367
Manual transmission oil	368
Checking the oil level	368
Recommended grade and viscosity	369
Automatic transmission fluid	370
Checking the fluid level	370
Recommended fluid	372
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles)	373
Checking the oil level	373
Recommended grade and viscosity	373
Rear differential gear oil	374
Checking the gear oil level	374
Recommended grade and viscosity	375
Power steering fluid	376
Checking the fluid level	376
Recommended fluid	377
Brake fluid	377
Checking the fluid level	377
Recommended brake fluid	378
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles)	378
Checking the fluid level	378
Recommended clutch fluid	379
Brake booster	379
Brake pedal	380
Checking the brake pedal free play	380
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance	380
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)	381
Checking the clutch function	381
Checking the clutch pedal free play	381
Hill holder (MT vehicles ― if equipped)	382
Replacement of brake pad and lining	382
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings	383
Parking brake stroke	384
Tires and wheels	384
Types of tires	384
Tire inspection	385
Tire pressures and wear	385
Wheel balance	388
Wear indicators	388
Tire rotation	389
Tire replacement	390
Wheel replacement	390
Aluminum wheels (If equipped)	391
Windshield washer fluid	392
Replacement of wiper blades	393
Windshield wiper blades	393
Rear window wiper blade	396
Battery	399
Fuses	401
Main fuse	403
Installation of accessories	404
Replacing bulbs	405
Headlight	406
Front turn signal, side marker light and parking lights	408
Front fog light	412
Rear combination lights	412
License plate light	413
Dome light, map light and cargo area light	414
High mount stop light	415
12. Specifications	416
Specifications	417
Dimensions	417
Engine	418
Electrical system	418
Capacities	419
Tires	420
Wheel alignment	420
Fuses and circuits	421
Fuse panel located behind the coin tray	421
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment	422
Bulb chart	423
Vehicle identification	424
13. Consumer information and Reporting safety defects	426
Uniform tire quality grading standards	427
Treadwear	427
Traction AA, A, B, C	427
Temperature A, B, C	428
Reporting safety defects (USA)	429