2019 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Light control switch

Light control switch

NOTE

Even if the key is removed from the ignition switch, the lights can be illumi- nated by operating the light control switch from the “” (off) position to the “ ” or “ ” position.

If the driver’s door is opened while the lights are illuminated and the key is removed from the ignition switch, the chirp sound will inform the driver that the lights are illuminated.

Headlights

To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on the end of the turn signal lever.

“ ” position:

Instrument panel illumination, headlights, parking lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights are on.

“ ” position:

Instrument panel illumination, parking lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights are on.

“ ” position:

When the ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the instrument panel illumination, headlights, parking lights, front side mar-

ker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights are automatically on or off depending on the level of the ambient light.

. Auto-on/off wiper-linked headlights While the light control switch is in the “AUTO” position, the headlights will auto-

matically turn on when the windshield wipers operate several times. The head- lights will automatically turn off when the wipers stop.

“ ” position:

The headlights are all off.

Only when the following conditions are fulfilled, instrument panel illumination,

headlights, parking lights, front side mar- ker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights are automatically on or off depending on the level of the ambient light.

The engine is running.

The parking brake is fully released.

The select lever is in a position other than “P” position.

The welcome lighting function turns on the low beam headlight for smooth approach- ing to or exiting from the vehicle at night or in a dark place.

The function is activated while all of the following conditions are met.

The light control switch is in the “AUTO” position.

It is dark enough to turn on the auto on/ off headlights.

While the welcome lighting function is activated, the low beam headlights, instru- ment panel illumination, parking lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights will automatically illuminate when unlocking the doors and the rear gate by using the remote keyless entry system.

The low beam headlights will remain illuminated for 30 seconds*1 and then turn off. However, if any of the following operations is done, the low beam head- lights will turn off.

The doors are locked.

The light control switch is turned to a position other than “AUTO”.

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

While the welcome lighting function is activated, the low beam headlights, instru- ment panel illumination, parking lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights will remain illuminated even when either of the following operation is done.

The push-button ignition switch is turned to the “OFF” status (models with “keyless access with push-button start system”).

The key is pulled out from the ignition switch (models without “keyless access with push-button start system”).

The low beam headlights will turn off under any of the following conditions.

3 minutes have passed since the low beam headlights were illuminated by the welcome lighting function.

30 seconds have passed since the door is opened and closed.*1

The light control switch is turned to a position other than “AUTO”.

The locking procedure is performed twice. When performing the unlocking procedure after performing the locking procedure, perform the locking procedure twice again.

*1: The setting for the period of time in which the low beam headlights remain on by the welcome lighting function can be changed by a SUBARU dealer. Contact your SUBARU dealer for de- tails.

The sensor is as shown in the illustration.

High beam

Low beam

When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “ ” on the combination meter is also on.

Headlight flasher

To flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and then release it. The high beam will stay on for as long as you hold the lever.

When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “ ” on the combination meter also illuminates.

High beam assist function (if equipped)

NOTE

The high beam assist function uti- lizes the stereo camera installed at the position of the front map lights.

For details on how to handle the stereo camera, refer to the Owner’s Manual supplement for the EyeSight system.

The high beam assist function automati- cally changes the headlight from high beam to low beam (or vice versa).

When all of the following conditions are met, the headlight will change to high beam.

When the vehicle speed increases to or above 20 mph (32 km/h).

There is no preceding or oncoming vehicle.

The forward area of the vehicle is dark.

The road does not have a sharp curve.

When any of the following conditions are met, the headlight will change to low beam.

When the vehicle speed decreases to or below 10 mph (16 km/h).

When the forward area of the vehicle is bright.

When there is a preceding or oncoming

vehicle.

. When the EyeSight system is malfunc- tioning or is temporarily stopped.

! How to use the high beam assist function

The high beam assist function will be activated when all the following conditions are met.

The light control switch is in the “AUTO” position and the low beam headlights are on automatically.

The turn signal lever is pushed forward.

High beam assist indicator

When the high beam assist function is activated, the high beam assist indicator light on the combination meter will illumi- nate.

! How to temporarily lower the sensi- tivity of the high beam assist func- tion

The sensitivity of the high beam assist function can be lowered by performing the following operations.

Before turning the ignition switch to the

“ON” position, set the light control switch to the “AUTO” position and push the signal lever forward (high beam position).

Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and within approximately 15 sec- onds, press the “ / ” (following distance setting) switch more than 10 times con- secutively.

When the sensitivity of the high beam assist function is lowered, the high beam assist indicator light “” on the combina- tion meter will flash.

The sensitivity of the high beam assist function cannot be lowered in the following conditions.

Cruise control or Adaptive Cruise Control is in operation.

The EyeSight warning indicator (yellow) is illuminated.

The sensitivity of the high beam assist function returns to normal level the next time the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position and the engine is restarted.

! How to change the headlight mode manually

Change to the low beam:

When you return the turn signal lever to the center position, the high beam assist function will turn off and the high beam assist indicator light (green) will turn off.

When you turn the light control switch to the “ ” position, the headlight mode will be changed to the high beam.

At this time, the high beam assist function will turn off, the high beam assist indicator (green) will turn off and the high beam indicator light will turn on.

After manually changing the head- light mode to the high beam, if you turn on the high beam assist function, return the light control switch to the “AUTO” position.

When manually changing the head- light mode to the high beam, if you turn the light control switch to the “ ” position, the instrument panel illumina- tion, parking lights, front side marker lights, rear side marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights will be on.

! Tips for the high beam assist sys- tem

The high beam assist function recog- nizes the conditions surrounding the ve- hicle based on the brightness of illumina- tion ahead of your vehicle, etc. Therefore, the headlight mode may switch in some situations that do not match to the driver’s sense.

A bicycle or cargo cycle may not be detected.

Under the following situations, the brightness of ambient illumination may not be detected correctly and the high beam assist function may not work prop- erly. As a result, the glare of the high beam may disturb the oncoming vehicle or vehicle ahead. Also, the low beam mode may continue although there are no oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead. In the such cases, change the headlight mode manually.

In bad weather (fog, snow, sand storm, heavy rain, etc.).

When the windshield glass is dirty or fogged.

When the windshield is cracked or damaged.

When the stereo camera is de- formed or the stereo camera lenses are dirty.

If there are lights similar to the headlights or the tail lights in the surrounding area.

When an oncoming vehicle or ve- hicle ahead is driven without its head- lights and tail lights on.

If the headlights of an oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle ahead are dirty or discolored, or if the light beams are not aimed correctly.

When a rapid change of brightness continues while driving.

When driving on a road with many ups and downs or uneven surfaces.

When driving on a road with many curves.

When there are some objects that reflect light strongly, such as a road sign or a mirror in vehicle ahead.

When the rear part of the vehicle ahead, such as a container, reflects light strongly.

When the headlights of your vehicle are damaged or dirty.

When your vehicle is tilted, such as in case the vehicle has a flat tire or is being towed.

Immediately after the engine has started.

In the following conditions, the head- light mode will not be automatically chan- ged from the high beam to the low beam.

When your vehicle passes an on- coming vehicle suddenly in a blind curve.

When another vehicle passes in front of your vehicle.

When an oncoming vehicle or ve- hicle ahead comes in and out of view because of continuous curves, median strips, roadside trees, etc.

If the stereo camera detects the light of the front fog lights of an oncoming vehicle, the headlight mode may change from the high beam to the low beam automatically.

The headlight mode may change from the high beam to the low beam, or the low beam mode may continue, when affected by a street light, traffic signal, illumination of an advertisement board, or a reflective object such as a road sign and signboard.

The timing of the change of headlight mode may differ due to the following factors.

Color or brightness of the headlights of an oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle ahead.

The headlights of the oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of the vehicle ahead are covered with mud, snow, etc.

Movement and direction of an on- coming vehicle or a vehicle ahead.

When the headlights of an oncom-

ing vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle ahead illuminate on only one side.

When the oncoming vehicle or vehicle ahead is a motorcycle.

Conditions of a road (slope, curve, road surface, etc.).

Number of passengers and weight of loaded cargo.

Limitation of the detection ability of the stereo camera.

If the EyeSight traffic lane customi- zation is not set to the actual flow of traffic.

Daytime running light system

The daytime running lights will automati- cally illuminate when the following condi- tions are fulfilled.

The engine is running.

The parking brake is fully released.

The light control switch is in the “AUTO”, “ ” or off position.

The select lever is in a position other than the “P” position.