1998 Subaru Forester Owners Manual
FILE DETAILS:
1998 Subaru Forester Owners Manual
Language : English
Pages : 298
Downloadable : YES
Format : PDF
Size : 2.43 MB
DESCRIPTION:
1998 Subaru Forester Owners Manual
FOREWORD:
Congratulations on choosing a SUBARU vehicle. This Owner’s Manual has all the information necessary to keep your SUBARU in excellent condition and to properly maintain the emission control system for minimizing emission pollutants. We urge you to read this manual carefully so that you may understand your vehicle and its operation. For information not found in this Owner’s Manual, such as details concerning repairs or adjustments, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased your SUBARU or the nearest SUBARU dealer.
- The information, specifications and illustrations found in this manual are those in effect at the time of printing. FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD. reserves the right to change specifications and designs at any time without prior notice and without incurring any obligation to make the same or similar changes on vehicles previously sold.
- This Owner’s Manual applies to all models and covers all equipment, including factory installed options. Some explanations, therefore may be for equipment not installed in your vehicle. Please leave this manual in the vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need the information found herein.
How to use this owner’s manual
Using your Owner’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this manual. To protect yourself and extend the service life of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this manual. Failure to observe these instructions may result in serious injury and damage to your vehicle. This manual is composed of thirteen chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief table of contents, so you can usually tell at a glance if that chapter contains the information you want.
Chapter 1: Doors and Locks
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys, locks and windows.
Chapter 2: Seat, seat belt and SRS AIRBAG
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and seat belt and contains precautions for the SRS AIRBAG.
Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of instrument panel indicators and how to use the instruments and other switches.
Chapter 4: Climate Control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate control.
Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate your audio system.
Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior equipment.
Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Chapter 9: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU looking good.
Chapter 10: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU running properly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1998 Subaru Forester Owners Manual
A
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake system) 7-30
ABS warning light 3-12
Accessary power socket 6-9
AIRBAG 2-28
Precautions for vehicle modification 2-33
SRS AIRBAG system operation 2-32
System monitors 2-36
System servicing 2-37
Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s SRS AIRBAGs
and lap/shoulder restraints 2-28
AIRBAG warning light 3-8
Air conditioner (Heating and air conditioning) 4-8
Air cleaner element (Replacement) 10-17
Alcohol and driving vii
All wheel drive vehicles (Driving tips for AWD vehicles) 7-32
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) (Maintenance) 10-42
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) (Cleaning) 9-6
AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player 5-4
RADIO OPERATION 5-4
CASSETTE PLAYER OPERATION 5-9
CLOCK FUNCTION 5-11
Antenna 5-2
Anti-lock brake system 7-30
Ashtray (If equipped) 6-12
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light 3-12
Automatic transmission 7-18
Driving tips 7-21
Maximum speeds 7-21
Selector lever 7-19
Shift lock release 7-21
Automatic transmission fluid (Maintenance) 10-21
B
Back-up light (Rear combination lights, bulb replacement) 10-53
Battery (Maintenance) 10-31
Index
13-3
Brake (Tips for using brakes) 7-28
Brake booster (Maintenance) 10-30
Brake fluid (Maintenance) 10-28
Brake system warning light 3-9
Brake pedal (Maintenance) 10-36
Brake pad and lining (Maintenance) 10-38
Break-in (New vehicle break-in driving) 7-3
Bulb chart 11-7
Bulb replacement 10-49
C
Carbon monoxide (Engine exhaust gas) 7-7
Cargo anchorage eyelets 6-17
Cargo area cover (Luggage cover) 6-15
Cargo hooks (Cargo anchorage eyelets) 6-17
Cargo room light (Luggage area light) 6-15
Car phones and driving viii
Cassette player operation
(AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player) 5-9
Catalytic converter 7-8
Center console 6-4
Charge warning light 3-9
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-10
Child restraint system 2-22
Installing child restraint system in the 3-point type
seatbelt seating position 2-25
Installing child restraint system in the 2-point type
seatbelt seating position 2-24
Top strap anchors 2-26
Child safety v
Cigarette lighter (if equipped) 6-11
Cleaning aluminum wheels 9-6
Cleaning the interior 9-5
Seat fabric 9-5
Synthetic leather upholstery 9-6
Clock 5-11, 6-8
13-4
Clock function (built in cassette stereo) 5-11
Clutch fluid (Maintenance) 10-29
Clutch pedal (Manual transmission) (Maintenance) 10-37
Coin tray 6-6
Combination meter 3-4
Console (Center console) 6-4
Coolant (Engine coolant) 10-12
Corrosion protection 9-4
Cruise control (if equipped) 7-24
To change the cruising speed 7-25
To set cruise control 7-24
To temporarily cancel the cruise control 7-25
To turn off the cruise control 7-25
Cup holder 6-6
D
Defogging (Windshield) 4-4, 4-8
Defogging (Rear window defogger) 3-24
Defogging (Outside mirror defogger) 3-26
Differential gear oil (Front — AT vehicles) (Maintenance) 10-23
Differential gear oil (Rear — AWD vehicles) (Maintenance) 10-24
Dome light (Interior light) 6-13
Door locks 1-3
Child safety locks 1-7
Locking and unlocking from the inside 1-5
Locking and unlocking from the outside 1-3
Power door locking switches 1-6
Door open warning light 1-8, 3-13
Drive belts (Maintenance) 10-19
Driving drunken vii
Driving in foreign countries 7-10
Driving in winter season 7-36
Driving off road 7-34
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 7-32
Driving when tired or sleepy viii
Driving with pet ix
Index
13-5
E
Emission test (State emission testing) 7-5
Engine compartment 10-5
Engine coolant (Maintenance) 10-12
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 7-7
Engine hood 1-15
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(CHECK ENGINE warning light) 3-10
Engine oil (Maintenance) 10-6
Engine overheating 8-2
If no steam is coming from the engine compartment 8-3
If steam is coming from the engine compartment 8-2
Engine, transmission, and differential gear oil leaks (Maintenance) 10-6
Exhaust gas (Engine exhaust gas) 7-7
Exterior care 9-2
Washing 9-2
Waxing and polishing 9-3
F
Flat tires 8-6
Changing a flat tire 8-6
Tire changing tools 8-10
Fog light (Bulb replacement) 10-51
Fog light switch 3-18
Four wheel drive vehicles (Driving tips for AWD vehicles) 7-32
Front differential gear oil (Automatic transmission) (Maintenance) 10-23
Front seats 2-2
Fore and aft adjustment 2-4
Head restraint adjustment 2-5
Lumbar support 2-6
Seat cushion angle and height adjustment 2-5
Reclining the seatback 2-4
Seat heater 2-7
Front wheel drive warning light 3-13
Fuel economy hints 7-9
Fuel filler door and cap 1-13
13-6
Fuel filler cap 1-14
To open and close the fuel filler door 1-13
Refueling 1-14
Fuel gauge 3-6
Low fuel warning light 7-7
Fuel requirements 7-3
Fuel octane rating 7-3
Unleaded gasoline 7-4
Gasoline for California-certified TELV 7-4
Gasoline for cleaner air 7-4
Fuel tank capacity (Specifications) 11-2
Fluid (Automatic transmission fluid) 10-21
Fluid (Brake fluid) 10-28
Fluid (Clutch fluid) 10-29
Fluid (Power steering fluid) 10-26
Fuses (Replacing a fuse) 10-43
Fuses and circuits 11-4
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment 11-6
Fuse panel located behind the coin tray 11-4
G
Gauges 3-5
Fuel gauge 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter 3-5
Speedometer 3-5
Tachometer 3-6
Temperature gauge 3-7
Gasoline (Fuel requirement) 7-3
Gas tank capacity (Specifications) 11-2
Glove compartment 6-3
Glove box (Glove compartment) 6-3
GVWR and GAWR
(Gross vehicle weight rating and Gross axle weight rating) 7-43
Index
13-7
H
Hazard warning flasher 3-14, 8-2
Heater (Heating and air conditioning) 4-3
Heater (Seat heater) 2-7
Heater (Mirror heater = Outside mirror defogger) 3-26
Heating and air conditioning 4-3
Air conditioner button (if equipped) 4-4
Air flow control dial 4-3
Air inlet selection lever 4-4
Fan speed control lever 4-3
Temperature control dial 4-3
HEATER OPERATION 4-4
Bi level heating 4-6
Defrosting or defogging the windshield 4-4
Heating and defrosting 4-5
Heating 4-6
Ventilation 4-7
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION 4-8
Cooling or dehumidifying 4-8
Defrosting or defogging 4-8
OPERATING TIPS FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING 4-9
Head light (Lighting switch) 3-14
Head light (Bulb replacement) 10-50
Head light aiming (Checking the headlight aim) 10-46
Head restraint 2-5
High beam indicator 3-13
High mount stop light (Bulb replacement) 10-56
Hood (Engine hood) 1-15
Horn 3-25
I
Ignition switch 7-10
ACC 7-12
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) 7-13
Key reminder chime 7-13
LOCK 7-10
13-8
ON 7-12
START 7-12
Illumination brightness control 3-17
I/M test (Inspection Maintenance test ) (State emission testing) 7-5
Interior (Cleaning the interior) 9-5
Installation of accessories 5-12, 10-46
Instrument panel overview 3-2
Interior light 6-13
Interior light (Bulb replacement) 10-55
J
Jack and handle 8-10
Jump starting 8-3
K
Key interlock (Key interlock release) 7-13
Key reminder chime 7-13
Keys 1-2
Key number 1-2
Master, submaster and valet key 1-2
L
License plate light (Bulb replacement) 10-54
Light (Interior light) 6-13
Light control 3-14
Fog light switch 3-18
Illumination brightness control 3-17
Light switch 3-14
Parking light switch 3-18
Lock (Door Lock) 1-3
Lock (Child safety locks) 1-7
Lock (Power door locking switches) 1-6
Low fuel warning light 3-7
Luggage area light 6-15
Luggage area light (Bulb replacement) 10-55
Luggage cover (if equipped) 6-15
Index
13-9
Luggage floor storage tray 6-18
Loading your vehicle 7-41
Vehicle capacity weight 7-42
GVWR and GAWR 7-43
Lumbar support 2-6
M
Main fuse and fusible link 10-46
Maintenance precautions 10-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment 10-4
When you do the checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running 10-4
Maintenance tools 6-20
Malfunction indicator lamp (CHECK ENGINE warning light) 3-10
Manual transmission 7-16
Driving tips 7-17
Maximum speeds 7-17
Shifting speed for fuel economy 7-17
Manual transmission oil (Maintenance) 10-20
Meter (Combination meter) 3-4
Fuel gauge 3-6
Odometer/Tripmeter 3-5
Speedometer 3-5
Tachometer 3-6
Temperature gauge 3-7
Mirrors 3-25
Inside mirror 3-25
Outside mirrors 3-26
Remote controlled rearview mirror 3-27
Outside mirror defogger 3-27
Mirrors (Vanity mirror) 6-2
N
New vehicle break-in driving 7-3
13-10
O
Odometer 3-5
Oil (Engine oil) 10-6
Oil (Manual transmission oil) 10-20
Oil (Front differential oil) 10-23
Oil (Rear differential oil) 10-24
Oil filter (Engine oil) 10-7
Oil pressure warning light 3-9
Overheat (Engine overheating) 8-2
P
Parking brake 7-26
Parking brake stroke (Maintenance) 10-39
Parking your vehicle 7-26
Parking brake 7-26
Parking tips 7-27
Parking light switch 3-18
Parking light (Bulb replacement) 10-52
Periodic inspections 7-10
Pets and driving ix
Power door locking switches (if equipped) 1-6
Power socket (Accessory power socket) 6-9
Power steering 7-23
Power steering fluid (Maintenance) 10-26
Power windows 1-8
Power windows switch cluster (Driver’s side) 1-9
Front passenger’s switch 1-10
Rear passenger’s switches 1-11
Preparing to drive 7-9
R
Radio 5-2
Antenna 5-2
FM reception 5-3
Radio operation 5-4
AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player 5-4
Index
13-11
Rear combination light (Bulb replacement) 10-53
Rear differential gear oil (AWD vehicles) (Maintenance) 10-24
Rear gate 1-12
Rear seats 2-8
Folding down the seatback 2-10
Head rest adjustment 2-10
Reclining the seatback 2-9
Rear view mirror 3-25
Rear window defogger switch 3-24
Rear window wiper and washer switch 3-22
Remote control mirror switch 3-27
Replacement of brake pad and lining 10-38
Brake pad 10-38
Parking brake lining 10-39
Replacement of windshield wiper blades 10-33
Replacing bulbs 10-49
Fog light 10-51
Front turn signal, parking light and front side marker light 10-52
Headlight 10-50
High mount stop light 10-56
Interior light, spot light and luggage compartment 10-55
License plate light 10-54
Rear combination lights 10-53
Reporting safety defects 12-4
Roof rail / Roof rack 1-16
Rotation (Tire) 10-40
S
Seat (Front seat) 2-2
Seat (Rear seat) 2-8
Seat belt safety tips 2-20
Children 2-20
Expectant mothers 2-21
Infant or small children 2-20
Maintenance 2-21
Seat fabric (Cleaning the interior) 9-5
13-12
Seat heater 2-7
Seatback (Reclining the seatback) 2-4, 2-9
Seat belts — 2-point type (lap only belts) 2-17
Fastening the seat belt 2-18
Unfastening the belt 2-19
Seat belts — 3-point type (combination lap/shoulder belts) 2-11
Seat belt warning light and chime 2-13
ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) function 2-14
ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) function 2-14
Adjusting the shoulder belt anchor height 2-16
Fastening the seat belt 2-14
Unfastening the belt 2-15
Seat belt warning light and chime 2-13, 3-8
Selector lever (automatic transmission) 7-19
Shift lever (Manual transmission) 7-16
Shift lock release 7-21
Side marker light (Bulb replacement) 10-52
Snow tires (Winter driving) 7-39
Spark plugs (Maintenance) 10-18
Specifications 11-2
Capacities 11-2
Dimensions 11-2
Electrical system 11-2
Engine 11-2
Tires 11-3
Wheel alignment 11-3
Speedometer 3-5
Spotlight (if equipped) 6-14
Spotlight (Bulb replacement) 10-55
SRS AIRBAG 2-28
Precautions for vehicle modification 2-38
SRS AIRBAG system operation 2-32
System monitors 2-36
System servicing 2-37
Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s SRS AIRBAGs
and lap/shoulder restraints 2-28
Index
13-13
SRS AIRBAG warning light 3-8
Starting the engine 7-13
Automatic transmission vehicles 7-14
During cold weather below –4°F (–20°C) 7-15
Flooded engine 7-15
Manual transmission vehicles 7-13
Spare tire 8-11
Steering 7-23
Power steering 7-23
Tilt steering wheel 7-23
Step light (Bulb replacement) 10-55
Stopping the engine 7-16
Storage compartment 6-3
Center console 6-4
Coin tray 6-6
Dashboard storage compartment 6-5
Door storage compartment 6-5
Glove compartment 6-3
Storage tray (Luggage floor storage tray) 6-18
Sun visors 6-2
Vanity mirror (if equipped) 6-2
T
Tachometer 3-6
Temperature gauge 3-7
Tips for using the brakes 7-28
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) (if equipped) 7-30
Brake system 7-29
Braking tips 7-28
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-30
Tilt steering wheel 7-23
Tire (Uniformity tire quality grading standards) 12-2
Tire (Snow tires = Winter driving) 7-39
Tire chains (Winter driving) 7-40
Tire rotation (Tires and wheels) 10-40
Tires and wheels 10-40
13-14
Inspection and rotation 10-40
Tire size (Specifications) 11-3
Tool (Maintenance tools) 6-20
Tool (Tire changing tools) 8-10
Top strap anchor (Child restraint system) 2-26
Towing 8-12
Towing eyelet 8-15
Towing with all wheels on the ground 8-13
Towing with the front wheels raised off the ground 8-12
Transporting your vehicle using a flat-bed truck 8-12
Towing trailer 7-44
Trailer towing 7-44
Connecting a trailer 7-49
Maximum load limits 7-45
Trailer hitches 7-49
Trailer towing tips 7-52
Warranties and maintenance 7-44
Trip meter (Odometer/Tripmeter) 3-5
Turn signal indicator lights 3-13
Turn signal lever 3-14
Turn signal light (Bulb replacement — Front) 10-52
Turn signal light (Bulb replacement — Rear) 10-53
V
Vanity mirror 6-2
Vehicle identification 11-8
Ventilation 4-7
Ventilator 4-2
Vehicle capacity weight 7-42
U
Uniform tire quality grading standards 12-2
Treadwear 12-2
Traction A, B, C 12-2
Temperature A, B, C 12-3
Index
13-15
W
Warning and indicator lights 3-8
ABS warning light (for vehicles with ABS) 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-12
Brake system warning light 3-9
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-10
Checking bulbs 3-8
Door open warning lights 3-13
Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-13
High beam indicator 3-13
Low fuel warning light (Fuel gauge) 3-7
Oil pressure warning light 3-9
Seat belt warning light and chime 3-8
SRS AIRBAG warning light 3-8
Washing (Exterior care) 9-2
Waxing (Exterior care) 9-3
Windows 1-8
Power window 1-8
Windshield washer fluid 10-32
Windshield wiper and washer switch 3-21
Winter driving 7-36
Corrosion protection 7-41
Driving on snowy and icy roads 7-38
Operation during cold weather 7-36
Rocking the vehicle 7-40
Snow tires 7-39
Tire chains 7-40
Wiper controls 3-19
Rear window wiper and washer switch 3-22
Windshield wipers and washer switch 3-21
Windshield wiper blades (Replacement) 10-33
VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE MANUAL:
IMAGES PREVIEW OF THE MANUAL:
PLEASE NOTE:
- This is the SAME manual used by the dealers to troubleshoot any faults in your vehicle. This can be yours in 2 minutes after the payment is made.
- Contact us at [email protected] should you have any queries before your purchase or that you need any other service / repair / parts operators manual.