2021 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Auto Start Stop system

Auto Start Stop system

The Auto Start Stop system is designed to automatically stop and restart the engine when the vehicle is stationary for a short period of time (while waiting for a traffic light or in a traffic jam) after the engine has warmed up. The system operates in order to reduce fuel consumption, exhaust emis- sions and undesired idling noise.

So that it can be used safely and comfor- tably, in addition to driver operations, the Auto Start Stop system is designed to constantly monitor the vehicle conditions as well as the environment inside and outside the vehicle, in order to control stopping and restarting of the engine.

After the vehicle has been completely stopped by depressing the brake pedal with the select lever in the “D” position, the

engine will be automatically stopped.

If you release the brake pedal with the select lever kept in the “D” position, the engine will be automatically restarted.

However, when the Auto Vehicle Hold ON indicator light illuminates, the engine will not restart.

Auto Start Stop indicator light (green) (type A)

Auto Start Stop indicator light (green) (type B)

If the engine is temporarily stopped by the system, the Auto Start Stop indicator light on the combination meter will illuminate in green. This indicator light will turn off when the system restarts the engine.

After starting the engine, if the vehicle is left idling without being driven, the Auto Start Stop system will not operate.

Your vehicle is equipped with a special high-performance battery. When replacing the vehicle battery, be sure to replace it with a genuine SUBARU battery (or equivalent) de- signed specifically for use in a vehicle

equipped with the Auto Start Stop system. For details, we recommend that you consult your SUBARU dealer.

! Operational conditions

The engine can be automatically stopped by the Auto Start Stop system when all of the following conditions are met.

The engine is sufficiently warmed up.

The engine hood is closed.

The driver’s door is closed.

The driver’s seatbelt is fastened.

The malfunction indicator light (Check Engine light) is off.

The airflow mode selection is set to a mode other than “” mode.

The rear window defogger is not in use.

The X-MODE has been turned off (if equipped).

After the vehicle is stopped, the engine will be automatically stopped when the follow- ing conditions are met.

The steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.

The steering wheel is not being oper- ated.

After the vehicle is stopped, the engine may not automatically stop

under the following conditions.

The vehicle is stopped on a road with a steep slope.

The vehicle is stopped by hard braking.

Negative pressure in the brake booster is not sufficient.

After the vehicle is stopped, the engine may not automatically stop if the brake pedal is not fully depressed. Make sure to depress the brake pedal firmly when stopping the vehicle.

In the following cases, it may take some time for the Auto Start Stop system to operate.

When the battery is discharged because the vehicle has not been used for a long period of time, etc.

The coolant temperature is low.

When the battery terminals have been reconnected after replacing the battery, etc.

! Non-operational conditions

In any of the following cases, the Auto Start Stop system will not operate.

When the Auto Start Stop warning light/ Auto Start Stop OFF indicator light (yellow) is illuminating or flashing.

When the malfunction indicator light (Check Engine light) is illuminating.

The electronic parking brake is applied.

When the engine hood is opened.

When the vehicle is at an altitude of more than approximately 10,000 ft (3,000 m).

When the CVT fluid is not sufficiently warmed up.

When the temperature of the CVT fluid is abnormally high.

When the vehicle battery is not in good condition.

When using the climate control system, the temperature difference between the setting temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle is significant.

When using the climate control system, the amount of air flow is significant.

! Engine restart operational condi- tions

In any one of the following cases, the engine will be automatically restarted even if the brake pedal is kept depressed.

When slightly releasing the brake pedal on road with a steep slope and the vehicle begins rolling

When further depressing the brake pedal

When depressing the accelerator pedal

When you move the select lever to the “R” position.

When turning the steering wheel

When operating the electronic parking brake switch

When activating the X-MODE (if equipped)

When the airflow mode selection set to “ ” mode.

When the climate control system can no longer maintain the set temperature.

When unbuckling the driver’s seatbelt

When opening the driver’s door

When activating the rear window de- fogger

When the Auto Vehicle Hold function is released, refer to “Auto Vehicle Hold function”  P346.

To ensure safety, the engine will not be automatically restarted if the engine hood is opened when the Auto Start Stop system is in operation, even if the brake pedal is released. In this case, check the surrounding area and restart the engine by normal operation.

Also, when the Auto Vehicle Hold opera- tion indicator light is illuminated, the engine will not restart.

When the Auto Start Stop system is in operation, the brake pedal may feel stiff. However, this is not a malfunction.

In the following conditions, the en- gine will be automatically restarted even if you keep the brake pedal depressed.

When the battery is discharged.

When the negative pressure in the brake booster has lowered.

In the following cases, the length of time that the engine is temporarily stopped by the Auto Start Stop system may be shorter.

When the climate control system is in operation.

When the outside temperature is high, or when it is low (because the climate control system can no long- er maintain the set temperature).

When consumption of electricity by electrical components is high.

When the engine is automatically restarted by the Auto Start Stop sys- tem, the power provided via the acces- sory power outlet will be reduced. Depending on the connected appli-

ance, the power of the appliance may temporarily turn off.

! Auto Start Stop warning light

Auto Start Stop warning light (yellow) (type A)

Auto Start Stop warning light (yellow) (type B)

The Auto Start Stop warning light will illuminate in yellow when initially turning the ignition switch to the “ON” position. The light will turn off after the engine has started.

The Auto Start Stop warning light will flash when the Auto Start Stop system is malfunctioning. We recommend that you contact your authorized SUBARU dealer for an inspection.

Auto Start Stop OFF switch

Auto Start Stop OFF indicator light (yel- low) (type A)

Auto Start Stop OFF indicator light (yel- low) (type B)

If the Auto Start Stop OFF switch is pressed, operation of the Auto Start Stop

system will be disabled. The Auto Start Stop OFF indicator light on the combina- tion meter will then illuminate in yellow. If the switch is pressed once more, the Auto Start Stop system will turn on again. The Auto Start Stop OFF indicator light will then turn off.

While the engine is temporarily stopped by the system, if the Auto Start Stop OFF switch is pressed, the engine will be restarted even if you do not release the brake pedal.

If the engine is restarted when the Auto Start Stop system is not opera- tional and the ignition switch has been turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position, the Auto Start Stop system will turn on again.

Be sure to turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position when leav- ing the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in the battery discharging.

! Auto Start Stop No Activity Detected indicator light

Auto Start Stop No Activity Detected indicator light (type A)

Auto Start Stop No Activity Detected indicator light (type B)

If the operational conditions are not met when the vehicle is stopped, the engine will not stop and the Auto Start Stop No Activity Detected indicator light will illumi- nate. It will turn off when the vehicle begins to drive.

Displaying the Auto Start Stop system status

Approximate indications of the time that the engine has been stopped by the Auto Start Stop system and/or the amount of fuel saved can be displayed on the multi- function display (black and white) or combination meter display (color LCD). For details, refer to “Auto Start Stop time (models without combination meter dis- play (color LCD))”  P206 or “Basic screens”  P198.

System warning

So that it can be used safely and comfor- tably, the Auto Start Stop system is designed to constantly monitor the vehicle conditions as well as the environment inside and outside the vehicle in addition to driver operations, and to provide various warnings to the driver via the warning light and/or indicator light illuminating or flash- ing and a buzzer sounding. For details about the warning light and indicator light, refer to “Auto Start Stop warning light/Auto

356 Hill start assist system

Start Stop OFF indicator light (yellow)”

 P191.

The buzzer will sound when the engine hood is opened while the engine is stopped by the Auto Start Stop system.

When this occurs, the buzzer will stop sounding when the following operations are performed.

The engine is restarted by normal operation. (Refer to “Preparing to drive”

 P307.)

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

If a warning message is displayed on the combination meter display (color LCD) while driving, a malfunction may have occurred in the Auto Start Stop system. In this case, the Auto Start Stop warning light will illuminate or flash in yellow. We recommend that you have your vehicle inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.