Subaru Forester: Starting and operating / State emission testing (U.S. only)
WARNING
Only use a four-wheel dynamometer
when testing an All-Wheel Drive
model.
Testing of an AWD model must
NEVER be performed on a single
two-wheel dynamometer. Attempting
to do so will result in uncontrolled
vehicle movement and may
cause an accident or injuries to
persons nearby.
CAUTION
- At state inspection time, remember
to tell your inspection or
service station in advance not to
place your SUBARU AWD vehicle
on a two-wheel dynamometer.
Otherwise, serious transmission
damage will result.
- Resultant vehicle damage due to
improper testing is not covered
under the SUBARU Limited Warranty
and is the responsibility of
the state inspection program or its contractors or licensees.
California and a number of federal states
have Inspection/Maintenance programs to
inspect your vehicle’s emission control
system. If your vehicle does not pass this
test, some states may deny renewal of
your vehicle’s registration.
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer
that monitors the performance of the
engine’s emission control system. Certified
emission inspectors will inspect the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) system as
part of the state emission inspection
process. The OBDII system is designed
to detect engine and transmission problems
that might cause the vehicle emissions
to exceed allowable limits. OBDII
inspections apply to all 1996 model year
and newer passenger cars and trucks.
Over 30 states plus the District of Columbia
have implemented emission inspection
of the OBDII system.
- The inspection of the OBDII system
consists of a visual operational check of
the “CHECK ENGINE” warning light/malfunction
indicator light (MIL) and an examination
of the OBDII system with an
electronic scan tool.
- A vehicle passes the OBDII system
inspection if proper operation of the
“CHECK ENGINE” warning light is observed,
there are no stored diagnostic
trouble codes, and the OBDII readiness
monitors are all complete.
- A vehicle fails the OBDII inspection if
the “CHECK ENGINE” warning light is not
properly operating (light is illuminated or is
not working due to faulty LED [Light
Emitting Diode]) or there is one or more
diagnostic trouble codes stored in the
vehicle’s computer.
- A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBDII system readiness monitors “NOT
READY” is greater than one. If the
vehicle’s battery has been recently replaced
or disconnected, the OBDII system
inspection may indicate that the vehicle is
not ready for the emission test. Under this
condition, the vehicle driver should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a
few days to reset the readiness monitors
and return for an emission re-inspection.
- Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their SUBARU dealer for
service.
Some states still use dynamometers in
their emission inspection program. A
dynamometer is a treadmill or roller-like
testing device that allows your vehicle’s
wheels to turn while the vehicle remains in
one place. Prior to your vehicle being put
on a dynamometer, tell your emission
inspector not to place your SUBARU
AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dynamometer.
Otherwise, serious transmission
damage will result.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and states using two-wheel
dynamometers in their emission testing
program have EXEMPTED SUBARU
AWD vehicles from the portion of the
testing program that involves a two-wheel
dynamometer. There are some states that
use four-wheel dynamometers in their
testing program. When properly used, this
equipment should not damage a SUBARU
AWD vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected in
an attempt to bypass AWD for state
emission testing. An AWD vehicle must
be tested using an AWD dynamometer
with all 4 wheels driven and loaded.
You should perform the following checks
and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
Check that all windows, mirrors, and
lights are clean and unobstructed...
Other information:
Driver’s side power window switches:
For front left window (with one-touch auto
up and down feature)
For front right window (with one-touch
auto up and down feature (if equipped))
For rear left window
For rear right window
Lock switch
All door windows can be controlled by the
power window switch cluster on the driver
side door...
Select the blank space in the menu to exit
the driving information display selection.
NOTE
The average fuel consumption and
average vehicle speed are calculated
even while the driving information display
is not displayed.
Even if you turn off the driving
information display, the display will
automatically turn on when the battery
voltage is disconnected and then reconnected
for battery replacement or
fuse replacement...