Content .. 1 2 3 ..

Subaru Forester (2023 year). Manual in english - page 2

(29,1)

Individual settings and adjustments

For setting adjustments to the following items, refer to the appropriate page for details.

Item

Function

Available settings

Factory default setting

Page

Alarm system

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

138

Remote keyless entry system

Audible signal

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

130

Function settings and adjustments performed by a dealer

A SUBARU dealer can change the setting adjustments of the following items to meet your personal requirements. Contact the nearest
SUBARU dealer for details.

Item

Function

Available settings

Factory default setting

Alarm system

Monitoring start delay time (after
closure of doors)

0 seconds/30 seconds

30 seconds

Alarm/panic alarm

Dome light, cargo area light, and
map lights illumination

ON/OFF

OFF

Keyless Access (if equipped)

Audible signal volume

Level 1 to 7

Level 5

Remote keyless entry system

Audible signal volume

Level 1 to 7

Level 5

Key lock-in prevention

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

Battery drainage prevention func-
tion

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

Seatbelt warning

Sounds a chime while driving

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

Auto on/off headlights

Auto-on/off wiper-linked

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

Reverse gear interlocked rear wiper Reverse gear interlocked rear wiper Operation/Non-operation

U.S.-spec. models: Non-operation
Other models: Operation

Auto dimmer cancel

Sensitivity of the operation of the
auto dimmer cancel

OFF/Min/Low/Mid/Hi/Max

Mid

High beam assist function

Operation/Non-operation

Operation

– CONTINUED –

(30,1)

Item

Function

Available settings

Factory default setting

Power rear gate open and close
function (if equipped)

Power rear gate opening and clos-
ing by remote control key/access
key

Non-operation/Pressing twice/
Pressing and holding

Pressing and holding

Outside mirrors reverse tilt-down (if
equipped)

Reverse interlocking outside mirror
target customize

Right and left mirrors/right mirror

Right mirror

Reverse interlocking outside mirror
last memory customize

Operation/Non-operation

Non-operation

(31,1)

1-1. Seats .................................................................. 30

Safety tips ............................................................30
Manual seat (if equipped)......................................33
Power seat (if equipped) .......................................34

1-2. Rear seats ......................................................... 39

Armrest (if equipped) ............................................40
Folding down the rear seatback ............................40
Reclining the seatback (if equipped) .....................42

1-3. Head restraints ................................................. 43

Front seats ...........................................................44
Rear seats ............................................................45

1-4. Seat heater (if equipped).................................. 46

Safety precautions................................................46
Front seat heater ..................................................47
Rear seat heater (if equipped) ...............................47

1-5. Seatbelts............................................................ 48

Seatbelt safety tips ...............................................48
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) .....................50
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking

Retractor (ALR/ELR) ...........................................50

Seatbelt warning light and chime ..........................50
Fastening the seatbelt ..........................................50
Seatbelt maintenance............................................56

1-6. Seatbelt pretensioners ..................................... 57

Seatbelt with shoulder belt pretensioner ...............57
Seatbelt with shoulder belt and lap belt

pretensioners .....................................................58

System monitors ..................................................58
System servicing ..................................................59

Precautions against vehicle modification..............59

1-7. Rear Seat Reminder ......................................... 60
1-8. Child restraint systems.................................... 60

Safety precautions ...............................................60
Safety tips for installing child restraint systems ...62
Where to place a child restraint system ................63
Choosing a child restraint system ........................65
Installing child restraint systems with ALR/ELR

seatbelt..............................................................65

Installing a booster seat or booster cushion .........69
Installation of child restraint systems by use of

lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) ................71

Top tether anchorages .........................................75

1-9. SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint

System airbag) ............................................... 76

General precautions regarding SRS airbag

system...............................................................77

General precautions regarding SRS airbag

system for accessories and any objects .............79

General precautions regarding SRS airbag

system and children...........................................80

Components ........................................................83
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system .............85
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag ...............97
SRS airbag system monitors .............................. 104
SRS airbag system servicing.............................. 105
Precautions against vehicle modification............ 106
How to contact the vehicle manufacturer

concerning modifications for persons with
disabilities that may affect the advanced
airbag system .................................................. 107

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(32,1)

1-1. Seats

Safety tips

Safety tips for seat

WARNING

Never adjust the seat while driv-

ing, as personal injury or loss of
vehicle control may occur.

Before adjusting the seat, ensure

nothing is blocking the adjusting
mechanism.

After adjusting the seat, move it

back and forth to ensure the seat
is securely locked. If it is not, it
may move suddenly or the seat-
belt may not operate properly.

Do not put objects under the front

seats. They may interfere with
front seat locking mechanism
and cause an accident.

Seatbelts provide maximum re-

straint when the occupant sits
back and upright in the seat. To
reduce the risk of sliding under
the seatbelt in a collision, the
front seatbacks should always
be used in the upright position
while the vehicle is running. If the
front seatbacks are not in the

upright position and a collision
occurs, the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and of the lap belt
sliding up over the abdomen will
increase, and both can result in
serious injury or death.

The SRS airbags deploy with

considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are not sitting
back and upright when the SRS
airbag deploys could suffer ser-
ious injury. Because the SRS
airbag needs enough space for
deployment, the driver should
always sit upright and well back
in the seat as far from the steer-
ing wheel as practical while still
maintaining full vehicle control,
and the front passenger should
move the seat as far back as
possible and sit upright and well
back in the seat.

WARNING

Place children in the rear seat prop-
erly restrained at all times. The SRS
airbag deploys with considerable
speed and force and can injure or
even kill children, especially if they
are not restrained or improperly
restrained. Because children are
lighter and weaker than adults, their
risk of being injured from deploy-
ment is greater. For that reason, we
strongly recommend that ALL chil-
dren (including those in child seats
and those that have outgrown child
restraint devices) sit in the REAR
seat properly restrained at all times
in a child restraint system or in a
seatbelt, whichever is appropriate

Seats

(33,1)

for the child’s age, height and
weight. Secure ALL types of child
restraint devices (including forward
facing child restraint systems) in the
REAR seats at all times.

NEVER INSTALL A CHILD RE-
STRAINT SYSTEM IN THE FRONT
PASSENGER’S SEAT. DOING SO
RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE
CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE
SRS AIRBAG.

According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating posi-
tions. For instructions and precau-
tions concerning child restraint sys-
tems, refer to “Child restraint sys-
tems”

�

P60.

WARNING

To prevent the passenger from slid-
ing under the seatbelt in the event of
a collision, always put the seatback
in the upright position while the
vehicle is in motion. Also, do not
place objects such as cushions
between the passenger and the seat-
back. If you do so, the risk of sliding
under the lap belt and of the lap belt
sliding up over the abdomen will
increase, and both can result in
serious injury or death.

WARNING

Do not let rear passengers rest their
feet between the front seatback and
seat cushion. Doing so may interfere
with the proper operation of the
following systems and could result
in serious injury.

Occupant detection system

SRS side airbag

Seat heater (if equipped)

Power seat (if equipped)

– CONTINUED –

Seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(34,1)

WARNING

Do not press your feet onto the
instrument panel. Doing so may
prevent the occupant detection
function of the SRS airbag system
from functioning correctly, and may
result in serious injury or death in
the event of an accident.

WARNING

Seatbelts provide maximum re-
straint when the occupant sits well
back and upright in the seat. Do not
put cushions or any other materials
between occupants and seatbacks
or seat cushions. If you do so, the
risk of sliding under the lap belt and
of the lap belt sliding up over the
abdomen will increase, and both can
result in serious internal injury or
death.

WARNING

Never stack luggage or other cargo
higher than the top of the seatback
because it could tumble forward and
injure passengers in the event of a
sudden stop or accident.

Seats

(35,1)

Safety tips for head restraint

WARNING

Never drive the vehicle with the

head restraints removed because
they are designed to reduce the
risk of serious neck injury in the
event that the vehicle is struck
from the rear. Also, never install
the head restraints the opposite
way round. Doing so will prevent
the head restraints from function-
ing as intended. Therefore, when
you remove the head restraints,
you must reinstall all head re-
straints correctly to protect vehi-
cle occupants.

All occupants, including the dri-

ver, should not operate a vehicle
or sit in a vehicle’s seat until the
head restraints are placed in their
proper positions in order to mini-
mize the risk of neck injury in the
event of a crash.

Manual seat (if equipped)

Forward and backward adjustment

Pull the lever upward and slide the seat to
the desired position. Then release the
lever and move the seat back and forth to
make sure that it is securely locked into
place.

Reclining the seatback

Pull the reclining lever up and adjust the
seatback to the desired position. Then
release the lever and move the seatback
back and forth to confirm that it is securely
fixed in place.
The seatback placed in a reclined position
can spring back upward with force when
the lever is pulled. When operating the
lever to return the seatback, hold the
seatback lightly so that it may be raised
back gradually.

– CONTINUED –

Seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(36,1)

Seat height adjustment (driver’s
seat)

When the lever is pushed down, the seat
is lowered.

When the lever is pulled up, the seat
rises.

The height of the seat can be adjusted by
moving the seat adjustment lever up and
down.

Power seat (if equipped)

Driver’s seat

Seat position forward/backward con-
trol switch

To adjust the seat forward or backward,
move the control switch forward or

backward. During forward/backward ad-
justment of the seat, the seat cushion
angle or height cannot be adjusted.

Seat cushion angle control switch

To adjust the seat cushion angle, pull up
or push down the front end of the control
switch.

Seat height control switch

To adjust the seat height, pull up or push
down the rear end of the control switch.

Seatback angle (reclining) control
switch

To adjust the angle of the seatback, move
the control switch.

Lumbar support control switch

To increase lower back support, push the
front side of the switch. To decrease
lower back support, push the rear side of
the switch.

Seats

(37,1)

Front passenger’s seat

Seat position forward/backward con-
trol switch

To adjust the seat forward or backward,
move the control switch forward or
backward.

Seat cushion angle control switch

To adjust the seat cushion angle, pull up
or push down the front end of the control
switch.

Seat height control switch

To adjust the seat height, pull up or push
down the rear end of the control switch.

Seatback angle (reclining) control
switch

To adjust the angle of the seatback, move
the control switch.

Memory function (driver’s seat – if
equipped)

WARNING

To avoid loss of vehicle control or

personal injury, never perform
the following operations while
driving.

– Adjusting the seat

– Retrieving the seat position

Before adjusting the seat, make

sure that cargo or the hands and
feet of rear seat passengers are
clear of the adjusting mechan-
ism.

Perform the seat position retrie-

val before driving. Be sure to
confirm that the select lever is in
the “P” position, and the parking
brake is applied, when adjusting
the seat position. Do not drive
until the retrieval of the seat
position is complete.

When retrieving a registered seat

position, make sure the hands,
feet and possessions of rear seat
passengers are clear of the seat
adjusting mechanism.

When any unusual conditions or

malfunctions occur during the

retrieval of the seat position, stop
the retrieval of the seat position
by performing any of the follow-
ing.

– Operate any of the power seat

switches.

– Press the “SET” button.

– Press button “1” or “2”.

– Operate the outside mirror

control switch.

Some seat positions can be registered.
Register the seat position with button “1” or
“2” or each of the key fobs and retrieve the
seat position.

The following seat positions can be regis-
tered.

Forward/backward position of the seat

Angle of the seatback

Angle of the seat cushion

Height of the seat

Angle of the outside mirrors

Angle of the outside mirrors when the
reverse tilt-down operates.

NOTE

The seat position can also be retrieved
with the Driver Monitoring System user
information. To do so, perform user
registration in the Driver Monitoring

– CONTINUED –

Seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(38,1)

System settings. Refer to “Driver Mon-
itoring System settings”

�

P214.

Registration of memory position
with button “1” or “2”

1. Adjust the seat position under the

following conditions.

The parking brake is applied.

The ignition switch is in the “ON”
position.

The select lever is in the “P” position.

2. Register the adjusted positions by

either of the following procedures.

Press the “SET” button, then press
either “1” or “2” until a chirp sounds
within 5 seconds.

While pressing and holding the
“SET” button, press either “1” or “2”

until a chirp sounds within 5 sec-
onds.

A chirp will sound once, and the seat
position and outside mirror angle on the
passenger’s side will be registered.

NOTE

If a new position is registered for the
same button, the previously registered
memory position is deleted.

Registration of the reverse tilt-
down mirror angle with button
“1” or “2”

CAUTION

Depress the brake pedal when re-
gistering the reverse tilt-down mir-
ror angle.

1. Move the select lever to the “R”

position, then the outside mirror angle
will move to the reverse tilt-down
position.

2. Adjust the outside mirror angle. For

details about the settings, refer to
“Remote control mirror switch”

�

P249.

3. Move the select lever to the “P”

position, then the outside mirror angle
will return to its original position.

4. Register the adjusted positions by

either of the following procedures.

Press the “SET” button, then press
either “1” or “2” until a chirp sounds
within 5 seconds.

While pressing and holding the
“SET” button, press either “1” or “2”
until a chirp sounds within 5 sec-
onds.

A chirp will sound once, and the seat
position and outside mirror angle will be
registered.

NOTE

The factory setting (default setting) for
this function is set as the front passen-
ger’s side mirror. The setting of the
right and left side mirror/front passen-
ger’s side mirror operation can be
changed by a SUBARU dealer. Contact
your SUBARU dealer for details.

Registration of memory position
with a key fob

1. Adjust the seat position under the

following conditions.

The parking brake is applied.

The ignition switch is in the “LOCK”/
“OFF” position.

The select lever is in the “P” position.

Seats

(39,1)

2. Hold the access key fob and press and

hold the “SET” button, then press the
“ ” button of the access key fob.

A chirp will sound once, and the seat
position is registered.

NOTE

When registering the seat position,
carry the access key that you want to
register with you. If you are carrying 2
or more access keys, registration may
not be possible.

Registration of the reverse tilt-
down mirror angle with the key
fob

CAUTION

Depress the brake pedal when re-
gistering the reverse tilt-down mir-
ror angle.

1. Move the select lever to the “R”

position, then the outside mirror angle
will move to the reverse tilt-down
position.

2. Adjust the outside mirror angle. For

details about the settings, refer to
“Remote control mirror switch”

�

P249.

3. Move the select lever to the “P”

position, then the outside mirror angle
will return to its original position.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF”/

“LOCK” position.

5. Hold the access key fob and press and

hold the “SET” button, then press the
“ ” button of the access key fob.

A chirp will sound once, and the reverse
tilt-down mirror angle will be registered.

NOTE

The factory setting (default setting)
for this function is set as the front
passenger’s side mirror. The setting
of the right and left side mirror/front
passenger’s side mirror operation
can be changed by a SUBARU deal-
er. Contact your SUBARU dealer for
details.

The system stores the adjusted
mirror angle for approximately 45
seconds after the ignition switch is
turned to the “OFF” position. Regis-
ter the mirror angle while the mem-
ory function is available.

Retrieval of memory position
registered with button “1” or “2”

WARNING

Be sure to press the correct button
to retrieve your registered seat posi-
tion. If the seat position is not
optimum for you, it may adversely
affect your driving and may reduce
the effectiveness of the seatbelt.
That could result in an accident
involving serious injury or death.

– CONTINUED –

Seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(40,1)

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position.

2. Put the select lever is in the “P” position

and apply the parking brake, then
press button “1” or “2”.

A chirp will sound and the seat and outside
mirror move to the registered position.
When the select lever is moved to the “R”
position, the outside mirror will move to the
registered reverse tilt-down position.

NOTE

If the vehicle battery is removed, the
registered memory position data will
not be deleted.

When the button “1” or “2” is
pressed within 45 seconds after the
driver’s door is opened, the regis-

tered memory position can be re-
trieved even if the ignition switch is
in the “LOCK” or “OFF” position.

If buttons “1” and “2” are pressed at
the same time, execution of seat
position retrieval may not be possi-
ble.

When the retrieved position is the
same as the current seat position, a
chirp will sound twice.

Retrieval of the memory position
registered with access key fob

1. Hold the registered access key fob.

2. Unlock the driver’s door by pressing

the “ ” button or touching the sensor
behind the door handle.

3. Open the driver’s door.

A chirp will sound and the seat and angle
of the outside mirrors moves to the
registered position.
When the select lever is moved to the “R”
position, the outside mirror will move to the
registered reverse tilt-down position.

NOTE

A retrieved seat position might de-
viate as the function is used con-
tinuously over time.

A retrieved seat position might de-
viate if you attempt to continue
operating the registered seat in the
same direction when the registered
seat is already at the farthest possi-
ble point of adjustment in any direc-
tion.

If the registered memory position
cannot be retrieved after performing
the previous procedures, try the
following procedures.

(1) Press the “SET” button on the

driver’s door.

(2) Press the “ ” button on the

access key fob or the door lock
button to lock the doors.

(3) Perform the prior procedures

again.

If the keyless access function is
disabled, the memory position can-
not be retrieved by touching the

Seats

(41,1)

sensor behind the driver’s door
handle. However, the memory posi-
tion can still be retrieved by pressing
the “ ” button on the access key
fob. For information about how to
enable/disable the keyless access
function, refer to “Disabling keyless
access function”

�

P122.

If a new position is registered for the
same access key fob, the previously
registered memory position data will
be deleted.

If you are carrying 2 or more access
keys, seat position retrieval may not
be possible.

If, while carrying an access key, 45
seconds passed after you enter the
operating range of the keyless ac-
cess function, it may not be possible
to retrieve the registered memory
position even if the door is open. For
the operating range of the keyless
access function, refer to “Locking
and unlocking by holding the access
key fob”

�

P115.

Clearing the registered seat posi-
tion with access key fob

1. Close the driver’s door.
2. Hold the access key fob and press and

hold the “SET” button, then press the
“ ” button on the access key fob.

A chirp will sound, and the registered seat
position and outside mirror angle on the
passenger’s side will be cleared.

NOTE

After deleting the seat position, wait for
a few moments before registering a
new seat position.

1-2. Rear seats

WARNING

Seatbelts provide maximum re-
straint when the occupant sits back
and upright in the seat. Do not place
cushions or any other materials
between occupants and seatbacks
or seat cushions. By doing so, the
risk of sliding under the lap belt and
of the lap belt sliding up over the
abdomen will increase, and both can
result in serious injury or death.

– CONTINUED –

Rear seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(42,1)

WARNING

Never stack luggage or other cargo
higher than the top of the seatback
as it could tumble forward and injure
passengers in the event of a sudden
stop or accident.

Armrest (if equipped)

To lower the armrest, pull down the top
edge of the armrest.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury, passen-

gers must never sit on the center
armrest.

When using the seatbelt, do not

allow it to become tangled with
an arm rest. The seatbelt will not
perform its original function in an
emergency and it may cause a
serious injury.

Folding down the rear seat-
back

WARNING

When you fold down the seat-

back, check that there are no
passengers or objects on the rear
seat. Not doing so creates a risk
of injury or property damage if
the seatback suddenly folds
down.

Never allow passengers to ride

on the folded rear seatback or in
the cargo area. Doing so may
result in serious injury or death.

Secure all objects and especially

long items properly to prevent
them from being thrown around
inside the vehicle and causing
serious injury during a sudden
stop, steering maneuver or accel-
eration.

When you return the seatback to

its original position, shake it
slightly to confirm that it is se-
curely in place. If it is not securely
fixed in place, it may suddenly
fold down in the event of sudden
braking, or objects may move out
from the cargo area. Both could
cause serious injury or death.

Rear seats

(43,1)

Striker

WARNING

When the seatback is returned to its
original position, observe the fol-
lowing precautions. Failure to do so
may lead to serious injury or an
accident because the operation effi-
ciency of the seatbelt is inhibited.

The seatbelt should not be
caught in the seatback and it
should be fully visible.

The seatbelt should not pass

behind the striker for the seat-
back.

CAUTION

Do not hang luggage etc. on the

striker. The possibility exists that
the seatback may not be able to
be fixed firmly in place. This
could lead to unexpected acci-
dents.

While driving, if something hits

the release latch, it is possible
that the seatback will fold down.
Be careful that no luggage etc.
hits the latch.

1. Lower the head restraint of the rear

center seating position.

Release knob

Release latch on both sides of the cargo
area (if equipped)

2. Unlock the seatback by pulling the lock

release knob or release latch (if
equipped) and then fold the seatback

– CONTINUED –

Rear seats

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(44,1)

down.

Return the rear seatback

WARNING

When returning the seatback to

its original position, observe the
following precaution.

Failure to observe the precaution
may damage the seatbelt, impair-
ing its effectiveness, and possi-
bly result in a serious injury.

When returning the seatback to

its original position, pull the
seatbelt out towards the vehicle
exterior so that it will not be
caught between the seatback
and the trim.

Lock release knob

Unlocked

Locked

Unlocking marker in red

To return the seatback to its original
position, raise the seatback until it locks
into place and make sure that the unlock-
ing marker on the lock release knob is no
longer visible.

WARNING

When you return the seatback to its
original position, check that the
unlocking marker on the lock re-
lease knob is not visible. Also, shake
the seatback slightly to confirm that
it is securely fixed in place. If the
seatback is not securely fixed in
place, the seatback may suddenly

fold down in the event of sudden
braking, or objects may move out
from the cargo area, which could
cause serious injury or death.

Reclining the seatback (if
equipped)

Rear seats

Content .. 1 2 3 ..