2019 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Vehicle Dynamics Control system

Vehicle Dynamics Control system

In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface and/or during cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to help maintain traction and directional control.

Traction Control Function

The traction control function is designed to prevent spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional control. Activation of this function is shown by flashing the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light.

Skid Suppression Function

The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering operations. Acti- vation of this function is shown by flashing the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem may be considered normal when the following conditions occur.

– Slight twitching of the brake

pedal is felt.

The vehicle or steering wheel shakes to a small degree.

An operating sound from the engine compartment is heard briefly when starting the engine and when driving off after starting the engine.

The brake pedal seems to jolt when driving off after starting the engine.

In the circumstances shown in the following list, the vehicle may be less stable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a system malfunction.

On gravel-covered or rutted roads

On unfinished roads

When the vehicle is towing a trailer

When the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or winter tires.

Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system will cause operation of the steering wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal conditions.

It is always important to reduce speed when approaching a corner, even if your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system.

. Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire. Failure to do so may render the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unable to operate correctly.

Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor

Refer to “Vehicle Dynamics Control warn- ing light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera- tion indicator light”  P176 and “Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light”

 P178.

Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch

Type A

Type B

Press or turn the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol OFF switch to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Creating ade- quate driving wheel slip by deactivating the Vehicle Dynamics Control system may help to recover from the loss of traction. Use the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch as necessary.

A standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or otherwise slippery surface

Extrication of the vehicle when its wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow

When the switch is pressed or turned during engine operation, the Vehicle Dy- namics Control OFF indicator light “ ” on the combination meter illuminates. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system will be deactivated and the vehicle will behave like a model not equipped with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. When the switch is pressed again (type A) or turned to the “NORMAL” side (type B) to reacti- vate the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem, the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turns off.

With the Vehicle Dynamics Control system deactivated, traction and stability en- hancement offered by the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system is unavailable. Therefore, you should not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except

under the above-mentioned situations.

When the switch has been pressed (type A) or turned (type B) to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system automatically reactivates itself the next time the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position and the engine is restarted.

If the switch is pressed (type A) or turned (type B) and held for 30 seconds or longer, the indicator light turns off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is activated, and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To make the switch usable again, turn the igni- tion switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” posi- tion and restart the engine.

When the switch is pressed (type A) or turned (type B) to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the vehicle’s running performance is com- parable to that of a vehicle that does not have a Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem. Do not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except when absolutely necessary.

Even when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is deactivated, compo- nents of the brake control system may still activate. When the brake control

system is activated, the Vehicle Dy- namics Control operation indicator light flashes.