2020 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Rear gate

Rear gate

The rear gate can be locked and unlocked using any of the following systems.

Power door locking switch: Refer to “Locking and unlocking from the inside”

 P134.

Keyless access with the push-button start system (if equipped): Refer to “Key- less access with push-button start system”

 P112.

Remote keyless entry system: Refer to “Remote keyless entry system”  P129.

Automatic door locking/unlocking: Re- fer to “Automatic door locking/unlocking”

 P135.

Rear gate opener button

Unlock the rear gate.

Press and hold the rear gate opener button. The rear gate will open slightly.

Hold the rear gate and lift it up slowly.

To close:

Lower the rear gate slowly and push down firmly until the latch engages.

The rear gate can be lowered easily if you pull it down holding the handle.

The power rear gate operates only when all of the following conditions are satisfied.

The vehicle is stopped completely.

The outside temperature is within a range of−228F to 1408F (from−308C to 608C).

The ignition switch is in the “LOCK”/ “OFF” or “ACC” position. Or, the ignition switch is in the “ON” position and the select lever is in the “P” position.

We recommend using the power rear gate function in most circumstances instead of manual operation.

Do not press the power rear gate button repeatedly while the power rear gate is operating. Otherwise, the sys- tem may ignore the button operation in order to avoid being damaged.

If the vehicle starts to move while the power rear gate is operating, the sys- tem sounds a buzzer and closes the rear gate automatically. At this time, if the system detects jamming, it will deactivate the power rear gate and the rear gate will not be closed. If this occurs, close the rear gate manually. For details, refer to “Manual rear gate”

 P143.

If you try to open the rear gate using the power rear gate function immedi- ately after closing the rear gate using the power rear gate function, an elec- tronic chirp will sound and the rear gate will not open. Wait for a while before trying to open the rear gate via the power rear gate function.

If either of the operating conditions has not been satisfied while operating the power rear gate, an electronic chirp will sound and the power rear gate will be deactivated. In this case, the rear gate may stop opening or closing suddenly.

! Operation

NOTE

The rear gate will remain unlocked even after closing it. Always lock the rear gate when leaving the vehicle.

If you cannot open/close the rear gate by performing the operation de- scribed here, a short electronic chirp will sound three times (beep, beep, beep).

! By the power rear gate button (other than the buttons on the rear gate)

Power rear gate button on the instrument panel

Power rear gate button on the access key fob

Power rear gate button on the transmitter

Press and hold the power rear gate button when the rear gate is closed. The rear gate

will open automatically. Then an electronic chirp and the hazard warning flashers will operate as follows:

When operating the power rear gate button on the instrument panel/transmitter: sounds and flashes twice.

When operating the power rear gate button on the access key fob: sounds and flashes four times.

To pause the opening rear gate:

Briefly press the power rear gate button while the rear gate is being opened. Then an electronic chirp will sound twice and the hazard warning flashers will flash twice.

If you press the power rear gate button again, the rear gate will close.

You can open the rear gate by pressing the power rear gate button briefly while the rear gate is being closed.

To close the rear gate:

Press and hold the power rear gate button. Then an electronic chirp will sound twice and the hazard warning flashers will flash twice. If you briefly press the power rear gate button again, the rear gate will open.

by your SUBARU dealer. Contact your SUBARU dealer for details.

! By the buttons on the rear gate

NOTE

After performing the following proce- dures, an electronic chirp will sound twice and the hazard warning flashers will flash twice.

Rear gate opener button

Power rear gate button on the inside edge of the rear gate

Power rear gate button

Power rear gate lock button (if equipped)

For models with “keyless access with push-button start system”, carry the ac- cess key fob. For models without “keyless access with push-button start system”, unlock the rear gate.

Briefly press the rear gate opener button when the rear gate is closed.

The rear gate will open automatically.

Briefly press either of the following buttons while the rear gate is being opened.

Rear gate opener button

Power rear gate button on the inside edge of the rear gate

If you press the power rear gate button again, the rear gate will close. You can open the rear gate by pressing the power rear gate button briefly while the rear gate is being closed.

To close the rear gate:

Briefly press either of the following but- tons.

Rear gate opener button

Power rear gate button on the inside edge of the rear gate

If you press the power rear gate button again, the rear gate will open.

Carry the access key fob, and press the power rear gate lock button. All doors, the rear gate and the fuel lid are locked, and the rear gate will be closed. Also, the hazard warning flashers will flash once, and an electronic chirp will sound once.

By pushing the power rear gate lock button for more than 2 seconds, all doors are locked, however, the auto door closing function of the rear gate will be canceled.

If any of the doors is not fully closed, the outside warning chime sounds five times to alert you that the doors are not properly closed.

! By manual operation To open the rear gate:

Lift up the rear gate, when the rear gate at

midway position. The rear gate will open automatically.

Pull down the rear gate when the rear gate is opened. The rear gate will close auto- matically.

If the rear gate is moved slowly, it may not operate automatically open or close.

When leaving the vehicle, make sure that all doors and the rear gate are completely locked.

! Manual operation

NOTE

Using the power rear gate operation is recommended. Manual operation will require physical effort.

The power rear gate can be closed manually. Refer to “Manual rear gate”

 P143.

Memory switch

Memory switch status

ON status

OFF status

Your desired rear gate height can be

registered.

To register the rear gate height, perform the following procedures while the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”/“OFF” position.

Open the rear gate using the power rear gate function.

With the rear gate at the desired height, stop it using the power rear gate function.

Press the memory switch to select the “ON” status.

Power rear gate button on the inside edge of the rear gate

Power rear gate button

Power rear gate lock button (if equipped)

With the rear gate at the desired height, press and hold the power rear gate

button on the inside edge of the rear gate until an electronic chirp is heard and the hazard warning flashers flash three times. The electronic chirp and the flashing hazard warning flashers confirm the se- lected rear gate height has been regis- tered.

To change the registered height, press the memory switch to select the “OFF” status and perform the register- ing procedure again.

It is possible to register the height from approximately 2 in (5 cm) or more from the completely closed position.

Retrieval of the rear gate height:

To open the rear gate and stop it at the registered height, perform the following procedure.

Press the memory switch to select the ON status.

Press and hold any of the power rear gate switches.

Even if any of the power rear gate switches are pressed and held while the memory switch is in the OFF status, you can stop it at the registered height by pressing the memory switch to select the ON status before the rear gate reaches the registered

height.

! Reverse function

If, while opening or closing using power rear gate, the rear gate catches persons or baggage or hits an obstacle, an electronic chirp will sound 3 times and the rear gate will operate as follows.

When opening the rear gate: The rear gate will automatically close.

When closing the rear gate: The rear gate will automatically open.

Touch sensor

Touch sensors are attached on the left and right edges of the rear gate. If the touch sensors detect fingers, baggage, etc. while closing by the power rear gate function, an electronic chirp will sounds 3 times and the rear gate will open auto- matically.

! Rear gate drop prevention function

The rear gate is lowered by the weight of snow and such, an electronic chirp will sound and the rear gate drop prevention function will apply braking to the rear gate so that it prevents a rapid closure of the rear gate.

! Selecting audible signal operation

Using an electronic chirp, the power rear gate will give you an audible signal before starting its operation. If desired, the audi- ble signal can be turned off by a SUBARU dealer. Consult your SUBARU dealer for details.

For models with “keyless access with push-button start system”, you can turn the audible signal off by operating the combination meter display (color LCD). For details, refer to “Keyless Entry Sys- tem”  P198.

The ON/OFF setting of the audible signal also works as the audible signal settings for the “remote keyless entry system” and the “keyless access with push-button start system”. However, for the warning chime

such as that caused by “Reverse function”

 P149 or “Rear gate drop prevention function”  P150, it cannot be set as non- operational.

If the power rear gate detects some abnormality while operating, an electronic chirp will sound and the power rear gate operation will be automatically stopped in either opening or closing position. In this case, the system needs to be initialized in the following order to restart the function properly.

Keep pressing the rear gate opener button until it is unlocked and lift up the rear gate.

Pull down the rear gate until it starts to close automatically. The system will be initialized once the gate is fully closed.

Operate the power rear gate and check that the function operates properly.

Pull down the rear gate until it starts to close automatically. The system will be initialized once the gate is fully closed.

Operate the power rear gate and check that the function operates properly.

152 Moonroof

The moonroof operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.

Moonroof switch

OPEN/CLOSE switch

Open

Close

Press the rear side of the “OPEN/CLOSE” switch. The sun shade will also be opened together with the moonroof. The moonroof will stop at a position approximately 6 in (15 cm) away from the fully opened position. Slide the switch rearward again to open the moonroof completely.

Press the front side of the “OPEN/CLOSE” switch.

To stop the moonroof at a selected mid- way position while opening or closing it, momentarily push the switch to the

“OPEN” side or “CLOSE” side.

After washing the vehicle or after it rains, wipe away water on the roof prior to opening the moonroof to prevent drops of water from falling into the passenger compartment.

Driving with the moonroof fully open can cause an annoying sound to be generated at high speeds. If this oc- curs, use the moonroof at the initial stop position of 6 in (15 cm) away from the fully opened position.

The moonroof cannot be operated while the remote engine starter system is operating.

& Anti-entrapment function

When the moonroof senses a substantial enough object trapped between its glass and the vehicle’s roof during closure, it automatically moves back to the fully open position and stops there. The anti-entrap- ment function may also be activated by a strong shock on the moonroof even when there is nothing trapped.

Sun shade

The sun shade can be slid forward or backward by hand while the moonroof is closed.

If the moonroof is opened, the sun shade also moves back.

Instruments and controls

3-1. Ignition switch (models without “keyless access with push-button start system”) 158

3-2. Push-button ignition switch (models with

“keyless access with push-button start system”) 160

Safety precautions 160

Operating range for push-button start system 160

Switching power status. 161

When access key fob does not operate properly 162

3-3. Hazard warning flasher 162

3-4. Meters and gauges 162

Speedometer 162

Tachometer. 162

Odometer 163

Double trip meter 163

Fuel gauge 164

ECO gauge (if equipped) 164

Combination meter settings 165

3-5. Illumination brightness control 166

Auto dimmer cancel function 166

3-6. Warning and indicator 166

Initial illumination for system check 166

Seatbelt warning light and chime 167

SRS airbag system warning light 169

Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicators 169

Instruments and controls

3-7. Combination meter display (color LCD)

(if equipped) 191

3-8. Multi-function display (black and white) 199

3-9. Multi-function display (color LCD) 205

3-10. Clock 228

3-11. Light control switch 230

Instruments and controls

3-12. Steering Responsive Headlight (SRH)

(if equipped) 237

3-13. Headlight beam leveler (if equipped) 238

3-14. Fog light switch (if equipped) 238

3-15. Turn signal lever 239

3-16. Wiper and washer. 239

3-17. Mirrors 243

3-18. Defogger and deicer (if equipped) 253

3-19. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel 255

3-20. Horn 256

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