2020 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Remote engine start system (dealer option)

Remote engine start system (dealer option)

The remote engine start system allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. In addition, the remote engine start system can activate the heater or air conditioner, providing you with a comfortable cabin upon entry. For more details, refer to the Owner’s Manual supplement for the re-

mote engine start system.

The length of time for which it is acceptable to allow the engine to remain idling may be bound by local laws and regulations. Check the local rules when using the remote engine start system.

When taking your vehicle in for service, it is recommended that you inform the service personnel that your vehicle is equipped with a remote engine start system.

Remote engine starter trans- ceiver (fob)

Fob button

NOTE

All vehicle doors (including rear gate) and the engine hood must be closed prior to activating the remote engine start system. Any open entry point will prevent starting or cause the engine to stop.

The remote engine start system is acti- vated by pressing the fob button on your remote engine starter transceiver (fob) twice within 3 seconds. If the fob is within operating range of the system and the start request is received, the following will occur.

The fob flashes and beeps once.

The horn sounds once.

The side marker lights, tail lights, and parking lights flash once.

If the fob is not within range (the user is too far away from the vehicle), the fob will indicate two long flashes without beeping.

The system will check certain safety preconditions before starting, and if all conditions are met, the engine will start within 5 seconds. After the engine starts, the following will occur.

The fob flashes and beeps twice.

The horn sounds once.

The side marker lights, tail lights, and parking lights flash once.

While the engine is idling via the remote engine start system, the following will occur.

The side marker lights, tail lights, and parking lights remain illuminated.

The fob button flashes once every 3 seconds.

The power windows are disabled.

If the engine turns over but does not start (or starts and stalls) the remote engine start system will power off and then attempt to start the engine 3 additional times. The system will not attempt to restart the engine if it determines a vehicle malfunction is preventing starting. If the engine does not start after 3 additional attempts, the remote engine start request will be aborted.

Press and hold the fob button for at least 2 seconds to stop the engine. The fob will flash and beep three times, indicating the engine has stopped. If the stop request is not received (for example, if the user is too far away from the vehicle), the fob will continue to flash once every 3 seconds. The system will automatically stop the engine after 15 minutes.

For safety and security reasons, the remote engine start system will prevent starting (or stop the engine if running) and sound the horn twice if any of the following conditions is detected. In addition, the fob will flash and beep 3 times.

The total run-time has exceeded 20 minutes.

The brake pedal is depressed.

A key is in the ignition switch.

The engine hood is open.

The engine idle speed exceeds 3,500 rpm.

The security alarm is triggered.

The select lever is not in the “P” position.

If the system detects any door (including the rear gate) open during operation, it will prevent starting or stop the engine, and sound the horn and flash side marker lights, tail lights, and parking lights 6 times.

In addition to the items above, if the vehicle’s engine management system determines there is a safety risk due to a vehicle-related problem, the vehicle will power down and the horn will sound 3 times.

If the alarm system is armed at the time of remote engine starter activation (the security indicator light on the combination meter is flashing), the alarm system will remain armed throughout the remote start run cycle.

If the alarm system is disarmed at the time of remote engine starter acti- vation (the security indicator light on the combination meter is not flashing), the alarm system will remain disarmed throughout the remote start run cycle.

! Remote start operation - fob con- firmation

Your remote engine starter fob is a bidirectional transceiver that can confirm system operation with several different visual and audible indications. The fob’s LED-backlit button and internal piezo buzzer will indicate status of the system using the following flash and beep se- quences, provided the fob is within opera- tional range of the system.

Access key fob

Lock button

An access key fob can be used as the remote engine start transmitter. Operate the lock button to start or stop the engine as follows.

Before using the remote engine start system to start the engine, confirm the following conditions.

The select lever is in the “P” position.

All doors including the rear gate are closed.

The engine hood is closed.

The push-button ignition switch is in the “OFF” position.

To start the engine with remote engine start system, briefly press the lock button twice within 2 seconds, then press and hold the lock button for 3 seconds.

Press the lock button briefly. The hazard warning flashers then flash once and the keyless buzzer chirps once.

Within 2 seconds, press the lock button briefly again. The hazard warning flashers then flash once again, and the keyless buzzer chirps once again.

After step 2, immediately press and hold the lock button. Some exterior lights then flash three times, and the horn will honk once.

Approximately 3 seconds after step 3, release the lock button. The engine will then start successfully.

Press and hold the lock button to stop the engine with remote engine start system.

For detailed information, refer to “Remote start safety features”  P310.

Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start (models without “keyless ac- cess with push-button start system”)

Unlock the vehicle doors using the remote keyless entry system.

 P136.

Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the “ON” position.

Press any button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.

Enter the vehicle. The engine will shut down when any door or rear gate is opened.

Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the “START” position to restart the engine.

Unlock the vehicle doors using the keyless access function and remote key- less entry system.

 P136.

Turn the push-button ignition switch to the “ACC” or “ON” posi- tion.

Press any button on the access key fob.

Enter the vehicle. The engine will remain running provided the access key fob is present and detected by the vehicle.

Press the push-button ignition switch once while depressing the brake pedal before driving your vehicle. The remote engine starter transceiver (fob) will flash

and beep 3 times to indicate that the remote start system has been shut down.

Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shut- down

An alarm trigger may occur if the vehicle is opened by the remote keyless entry transmitter within a few seconds immedi- ately following remote engine start shut- down.

Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle

Before exiting the vehicle, set the tem- perature controls to the desired setting and operation. After the system starts the engine, the heater or air conditioning will activate and heat or cool the interior to your setting.

Remote transmitter program (Remote engine starter transceiver)

New transmitters can be programmed to the remote engine start system in the event that a transmitter is lost, stolen, damaged or additional transmitters are desired (the system will accept up to eight transmitters). New remote engine start transmitters can be programmed accord-

ing to the following procedure.

Open the driver’s door (the driver’s door must remain open throughout the entire process).

Depress and hold the brake pedal.

Turn the ignition switch to “ON” then “LOCK”/“OFF”, back to “ON” then “LOCK”/ “OFF”, back to “ON” then “LOCK”/“OFF”, then back to “ON” again and leave the ignition “ON” throughout the programming process.

The system will flash the side marker lights, tail lights and parking lights and honk the horn three times, indicating that the system has entered the transmitter learn mode.

Press and release the “ ” button on the transmitter that you want to program.

The system will flash the side marker lights, tail lights and parking lights and honk the horn one time, indicating that the system has learned the transmitter. Upon successful programming, the remote start confirmation transmitter button will flash one time.

Repeat step 5 for any additional transmitters (the system will accept up to eight transmitters).

The system will exit the transmitter learn mode if the key is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position, the door is closed

or after 2 minutes.

In the event that the vehicle’s battery is replaced, discharged or disconnected, it will be necessary to start the vehicle a minimum of one time using the key prior to activating the remote engine start system. This is required to allow the vehicle electronic systems to re- synchronize.

! Changing the battery

For models with “keyless access with push-button start system”:

Perform the procedure described in “Re- placing battery of access key fob”  P492. For remote engine starter transceiver: The 3-volt lithium battery (model CR-2450) supplied in your remote engine start transmitter should last approximately one year, depending on usage. When the battery begin to weaken, you will notice a

decrease in range (distance from the vehicle that your remote control operates). Follow the instructions below to change the remote engine start transmitter battery.

Remove the small phillips screw lo- cated on the back side lower left corner of the transmitter.

Carefully pry the remote engine start transmitter halves apart using a small flat- head screwdriver.

Remove the circuit board from the bottom half of the case and remove the battery and replace with new one. Be sure to observe the (+) sign on the old battery before removing it to ensure that the new battery is inserted properly (battery “+”

should be pointed away from the transmit- ter circuit board on battery).

Carefully snap the case halves back together, reinstall the phillips screw and test the remote engine start system.

Certification for remote en- gine starter

NOTE

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This de- vice may not cause harmful interfer- ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

! Canada-spec. models

7-7. Continuously variable transmission

& Continuously variable trans- mission features

The continuously variable transmission is electronically controlled and provides an infinite number of forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. It also has a manual mode or an “L” position.

When the engine coolant tempera- ture is still low, the transmission will shift at higher engine speeds than when the coolant temperature is suffi- ciently high in order to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift timing will automatically shift to the normal timing after the engine has warmed up.

Immediately after transmission fluid is replaced, you may feel that the transmission operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation of data which the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condition of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle continues to be driven for a while.

When driving a CVT model under continuous heavy load conditions such as when towing a camper or climbing a

long, steep hill, the engine speed or the vehicle speed may automatically be reduced. This is not a malfunction. This results from the engine control func- tion maintaining the cooling perfor- mance of the vehicle. The engine and vehicle speed will return to a normal speed when the engine is able to maintain the optimum cooling perfor- mance after the heavy load decreases. Driving under a heavy load must be performed with extreme care. Do not try to pass a vehicle in front when driving on an uphill slope while towing.

. The continuously variable transmis- sion is a chain type system that pro- vides superior transmission efficiency for maximum fuel economy. At times, depending on varying driving condi- tions, a chain operating sound may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.

Select lever

Type A

Select lever button

Type B

1) Select lever button

Models with “L” position

Models with manual mode

: With the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the select lever button in.

: Shift while pressing the select lever button in.

: Shift without pressing the select lever button.

The select lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” and it also has an “L” or “M” gate.

depressed hard.

! P (Park)

This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. In this position, the transmission is mechanically locked to prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.

When you park the vehicle, first apply the parking brake firmly, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the mechanical friction of the transmission.

To shift the select lever from the “P” position to any other position, you should depress the brake pedal fully then move the select lever. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started.

This position is for backing the vehicle. To shift from the “N” to “R” position, stop the vehicle completely then move the lever to the “R” position while pressing the select lever button in.

When the ignition switch has been turned to the “ACC” position, the movement of the select lever from the “N” to “R” position is only possible by depressing the brake pedal. For details, refer to “Shift lock function”  P322.

! N (Neutral)

This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position, the transmission is neutral, meaning that the wheels and transmission are not locked. Therefore, the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied.

Avoid coasting with the transmission in neutral. Engine braking has no effect in this condition.

This position is for normal driving. The transmission shifts automatically and con- tinuously into a suitable gear according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require. Also, while driving up and down a hill, the transmission assists and controls the driving performance and engine brak- ing while corresponding to the road grade.

When more acceleration is required in the

“D” position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift. In this case, the transmission will operate like a conventional automatic transmis- sion. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.

For models with manual mode, if one of the shift paddles behind the steering wheel is operated while driving in the “D” position, the transmission will temporarily switch to the manual mode. In this mode, you can shift into any gear position using the shift paddles. For details about the manual mode, refer to “Selection of manual mode”

 P320. Once the vehicle speed stabi- lizes, the transmission will switch from the manual mode back to the “D” position for normal driving.

Type A

Type B

With the vehicle either moving or station- ary, move the select lever from the “D”

position to the “M” position to select the manual mode.

Select lever/gear position indicator (type A)

Upshift indicator

Downshift indicator

Gear position indicator

Select lever/gear position indicator (type B)

Upshift indicator

Downshift indicator

Gear position indicator

When the manual mode is selected, the gear position indicator and upshift indica- tor and/or downshift indicator on the combination meter illuminate.

The gear position indicator shows the currently selected gear in the following range.

1st-to-7th-gear range

The upshift and downshift indicators show when a gear shift is possible. When the upshift indicator “ ” illuminates, upshift- ing is possible. When the downshift in- dicator “ ” illuminates, downshifting is

possible. When both indicators illuminate, upshifting and downshifting are both pos- sible. When the vehicle stops (for exam- ple, at traffic signals), the downshift in- dicator turns off.

Gearshifts can be performed using the shift paddle behind the steering wheel.

To upshift to the next higher gear position, pull the shift paddle that has “+” indicated on it. To downshift to the next lower gear position, pull the shift paddle that has “–” indicated on it.

To deselect the manual mode, return the select lever to the “D” position from the “M” position.

If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down- shift is not possible.

If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the transmis- sion will not respond.

You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating the shift paddle twice in rapid succes- sion.

The transmission automatically se- lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops moving.

If the temperature of the transmis- sion fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warning light on the combi- nation meter will illuminate. Immedi- ately stop the vehicle in a safe location

and let the engine idle until the warning light turns off.

For models with SI-DRIVE, by select- ing Sport Sharp (S#) mode, upshifting will not occur automatically. According to the road conditions, shift change manually so that the tachometer needle does not enter the red zone. Also, if the engine revolutions reach the specified number, the fuel supply will be cut. In this case, perform shift up operation.

Selection of “L” (if equipped)

Type A

Type B

“L” is for using engine braking when going down a hill, etc. To select this mode, move the select lever from the “D” position to the “L” position.

When selected, the indicator “L” will

illuminate on the combination meter.

To deselect “L”, move the select lever to the “D” position.

Shift lock function

The shift lock function helps prevent the improper operation of the select lever.

The select lever cannot be operated unless the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and the brake pedal is depressed.

The select lever cannot be moved from the “P” position to any other position before the brake pedal is depressed. Depress the brake pedal first, and then operate the select lever.

Only the “P” position allows you to turn the ignition switch from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position and remove the key from the ignition switch.

If the ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” position while the select lever is in the “N” position, the select lever may not be moved to the “P” position without depressing the brake pedal and pressing the select lever button.

If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the “ON” position then move the select lever to the

“P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, perform the following steps.

When the select lever cannot be shifted from “P” to “N”:

Refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button”  P322.

When the select lever cannot be shifted from “N” to “R”, “P”:

After placing the ignition switch in the “ACC” position, move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

If you must perform the above procedure, the shift lock system (or the vehicle control system) may be malfunctioning. Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button”  P322.

Perform the following procedure to release the shift lock.

Apply the parking brake and stop the

engine.

Wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with vinyl tape or a cloth and use it to remove the shift lock cover. The shift lock release button is located under the shift lock cover.

While depressing the brake pedal, insert a screwdriver into the hole, press the shift lock release button using a screwdriver, and then move the select lever.

If the select lever does not move after performing the above procedure, the shift lock system may be malfunctioning. Con- tact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

Driving tips

Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or “R” position.

Make sure to apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only the mechanical friction of the transmission.

Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on an uphill grade by using the “D” position. Use the brake instead.

The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler-

ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indicate a malfunction.