2020 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system

The EBD system maximizes the effective- ness of the brakes by allowing the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking force. It functions by adjusting the distribution of braking force to the rear wheels in accordance with the vehicle’s loading condition and speed.

The EBD system is an integral part of the ABS and uses some of the ABS compo- nents to perform its function of optimizing the distribution of braking force. If any of the ABS components used by the EBD system malfunction, the EBD system also stops working.

When the EBD system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

If EBD system malfunctions

If a malfunction occurs in the EBD system, the system stops working and the following warning lights illuminate simultaneously.

Brake system warning light

ABS warning light

Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light

If the both warning light remains on even though the parking brake is released, the brake fluid level may be low or there could be a problem with the EBD system. Park the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact a Subaru dealer.

Safety precautions

Vehicle Dynamics Control system 331

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”  P178 and “Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light”

 P180.

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.

7-14. X-MODE (if equipped)

X-MODE is the integrated control system of the engine, AWD and Vehicle Dynamics Control system, etc. for driving with bad road conditions. Using X-MODE, you can drive more comfortably even in slippery road conditions including uphill and down- hill.

X-MODE has the following functions.

Hill descent control function (if equipped):

Using the hill descent control function, you can keep the vehicle at a consistent speed driving downhill. If the vehicle speed is likely to increase, the brake control system will be activated to adjust the vehicle speed.

Driving ability control:

This mode increases the hill-climbing ability and driving ability as well as enabling smooth application of torque for easier control of the steering wheel.

To activate/deactivate the X- MODE

X-MODE switch (type A)

X-MODE switch (type B)

X-MODE switch (type C)

Type A and Type B

Type C

Turn the X-MODE switch to the right or left

and select SNOW/DIRTor D.SNOW/MUD. While the X-MODE is activated, the X- MODE indicator appears.

Press the X-MODE switch. While the X- MODE is activated, the X-MODE indicator appears.

Type A, Type B and Type C

Press the X-MODE switch. The X-MODE indicator will disappear when the X-MODE is deactivated.

SNOW/DIRT is suitable for driving on a snow-covered road where the points of contact between the tires and road surface are visible, or for driving on an unpaved road.

D.SNOW/MUD is suitable for driving on a road covered with deep snow where the points of contact between the tires and road surface are not visible, or for driving on a muddy road.

Even if you try to activate the X- MODE by turning (type A, type B) or pressing (type C) the X-MODE switch when the vehicle speed is 12 mph (20 km/h) or more, the X-MODE will not be activated. At this time, a buzzer will sound twice.

If the vehicle speed reaches 25 mph (40 km/h) or more while the X-MODE is activated, a buzzer will sound once and the X-MODE will be deactivated.

While the engine is running, if any of the following conditions is met, the X- MODE will be deactivated. In this case, it is not possible to activate the X- MODE.

The CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator light illu- minates.

The AT OIL TEMP warning light flashes.

The ABS warning light illumi- nates.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light illuminates.

If the engine could overheat because of a temperature increase of the engine coolant, it may not be possible to activate the X-MODE. Even while the X-MODE is activated, the X-MODE will be deactivated when the engine coolant temperature increases.

For models with Auto Start Stop system, the system will be stopped while the X-MODE is activated.

NOTE

For models with SI-DRIVE:

The SI-DRIVE mode will change to

the Intelligent (I) mode when the X- MODE is deactivated.

The SI-DRIVE mode cannot be chan- ged while the X-MODE is activated. At this time, a buzzer will sound twice.

While the engine is running, if any of the following conditions is met, the X- MODE will be deactivated. In this case, it is not possible to activate the X- MODE. Also, for models with SI-DRIVE, the mode will change to the Sport (S) mode or Sport Sharp (S#) mode and it will not be possible to change to the other modes.

The CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator light illu- minates.

The AT OIL TEMP warning light flashes.

The ABS warning light illumi- nates.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light illuminates.

If there is a possibility that the engine could overheat because of a temperature increase of the engine coolant, it is not possible to change to the X-MODE. While the vehicle is in the X-MODE, it changes to the Sport (S) mode or Sport Sharp (S#) mode when the engine coolant temperature in- creases.

It is not possible to activate the X- MODE when the engine is not running, because the hill descent control func- tion is not activated.

Hill descent control function

The hill descent control function will be in standby mode when the X-MODE is activated and the vehicle speed is less than approximately 12 mph (20 km/h).

The function will operate when the vehicle speed is less than approximately 12 mph (20 km/h) and the accelerator ratio is less than approximately 10%.

The function will turn off when the vehicle speed is more than approximately 12 mph (20 km/h) and the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Even while the hill descent control function is operating, you can vary the vehicle speed using the brake pedal or

accelerator pedal.

During braking by the hill descent control function, the hill descent con- trol indicator will flash.

The hill descent control function is operable regardless of the gradient of the road.

The hill descent control function may be considered normal when the following conditions occur.

An operating sound is heard briefly from the engine compart- ment while the hill descent control function is operating.

The sensation of depressing the brake pedal is different, (harder than usual etc.) when the brake pedal is depressed during hill descent con- trol function operation.

! Hill descent control indicator

Hill descent control indicator (type A)

Hill descent control indicator (type B)

This indicator appears while the hill des- cent control function is in the standby mode. It flashes while the function is

operating. It will disappear when the function is in the disabled mode. When this function is changed from operational to non-operational, it will disappear when the vehicle speed reaches more than approximately 18 mph (30 km/h).