2021 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Ignition switch (models without “keyless access with push-button start system”)

Ignition switch (models without “keyless access with push-button start system”)

The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC, ON and START.

Keep the ignition switch in the “LOCK” position when the engine is not running.

Using electrical accessories for a long time with the ignition switch in the “ON” or “ACC” position can cause the battery to go dead.

If the ignition switch will not move from the “LOCK” position to the “ACC” position, turn the steering wheel slightly to the left and right as you turn the ignition switch.

Key positions

Ignition switch (models without “keyless access with push-button start system”) 161

To turn the key from the “ACC” to “LOCK” position, the select lever must be in the “P” position and the key must be pushed in and turned.

If your registered key fails to start the engine, pull out the key once (the security indicator light will blink), and then insert the key again and turn it to the “START” position again to restart the engine.

The engine may not start in the following cases:

The key grip is touching another key or a metallic key holder.

The key is near another key that contains an immobilizer transpon-

der.

The key is near or touching another transmitter.

Key reminder chime

The reminder chime sounds when the driver’s door is opened and the ignition switch is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position.

The chime stops under the following conditions.

The ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.

The key is removed from the ignition switch.

The driver’s door is closed.

Ignition switch light (if equipped)

For easy access to the ignition switch in the dark, the ignition switch light illumi- nates when the driver’s door is opened or when the driver’s door is unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter.

The light remains illuminated for several tens of seconds and then gradually turns off under the following conditions.

The driver’s door is closed.

The doors are unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter.

162 Push-button ignition switch (models with “keyless access with push-button start system”)

The light turns off immediately under the following conditions.

The ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.

All doors and the rear gate are locked using the remote keyless entry transmitter.

Push-button ignition switch (models with “keyless access with push-button start system”)

Safety precautions

Refer to “Safety precautions”  P115.

Operating range for push- button start system

Antennas

Operating range

If the access key fob is not detected within the operating range of the anten- nas inside the vehicle, the push-button ignition switch and the engine start

cannot be operated.

Even when the access key fob is outside the vehicle, if it is placed too close to the glass, it may be possible to switch the power or to start the engine.

Do not leave the access key fob in the following places. It may become impossible to operate the push-button ignition switch and the engine start. It may also cause a false warning to issue although no malfunction actually oc- curs, or not to issue a warning when any malfunction occurs.

On the instrument panel

On the floor

Inside the glove box

Inside the door trim pocket

On the rear seat

In the cargo area

When operating the push-button ignition switch or starting the engine, if the access key fob battery is dis- charged, perform the procedure de- scribed in “Access key fob – if access key fob does not operate properly”

 P441. In such a case, replace the battery immediately. Refer to “Repla- cing battery of access key fob”  P497.

Push-button ignition switch (models with “keyless access with push-button start system”) 163

Operation indicator

Push-button ignition switch

The power is switched every time the push-button ignition switch is pressed.

Carry the access key fob, and sit in the driver’s seat.

Shift the select lever into the “P”/“N” position.

Press the push-button ignition switch without depressing the brake pedal. Every time the button is pressed, the power is switched in the sequence of “OFF”, “ACC”, “ON” and “OFF”. When the engine is stopped and the push-button ignition switch is in “ACC” or “ON”, the operation indicator on the push-button ignition switch illuminates in orange.

When operating the push-button ignition switch, firmly press it all the way.

If the push-button ignition switch is pressed quickly, the power may not turn on or off.

164 Hazard warning flasher

! Battery drainage prevention func- tion

When the push-button ignition switch is left in the “ACC” or “ON” position for approxi- mately 1 hour, the push-button ignition switch will be automatically switched to “OFF” to prevent the battery from going dead.

Refer to “Access key fob – if access key fob does not operate properly”  P441.