Subaru Forester: Automatic climate control system (if equipped)

NOTE
Operate the automatic climate control system when the engine is running.

Type A

NOTE
The blower fan rotates at a low speed when the engine coolant temperature is low. For efficient defogging or dehumidifying in cold weather, press the “A/C” button.

The automatic climate control system automatically controls outlet air temperature, fan speed, airflow distribution air-inlet control, and air conditioner compressor operation. It activates when the fan speed control button or the “AUTO” button is pressed, and is used to maintain a constant, comfortable climate within the passenger compartment. If you press the defroster button while the automatic climate control system is deactivated, only the defroster function will be activated.

Control panel

Control panel

1) Temperature control dial (driver’s side)
2) AUTO button
3) DUAL mode button
4) OFF button
5) Air inlet selection button
6) Fan speed control button
7) Airflow mode selection button
8) Air conditioner button
9) Temperature control dial (front passenger’s side)
10) Defroster button
11) Rear window defogger button (Refer to “Defogger and deicer”.)

AUTO button

FULL AUTO mode operation:

When the “AUTO” button is pressed, the indicator light “FULL AUTO” on the display illuminates. In this state, fan speed, airflow distribution, air-inlet control, and air conditioner compressor operation are automatically controlled.

AUTO mode operation:

If you operate any of the buttons on the control panel other than the “OFF” button, rear window defogger button and temperature control dials during FULL AUTO mode operation, the indicator light “FULL” on the control panel will turn off and the indicator light “AUTO” will remain illuminated.

You can then manually control the system as desired using the button you operated. To change the system back to the FULL AUTO mode, press the “AUTO” button.

OFF button

OFF button

The automatic climate control system turns off (the air conditioner compressor and fan turn off) when the “OFF” button is pressed.

When the “OFF” button is pressed, the outside air mode (air inlet selection OFF) is automatically selected.

Temperature control dial

Temperature control dial

To increase the temperature setting, turn the temperature control dial clockwise. To decrease the temperature setting, turn the dial counterclockwise.

Each temperature setting is shown on the display.

DUAL mode

DUAL mode

It is possible to make separate temperature settings for the driver’s side and passenger’s side (DUAL mode).

To activate the DUAL mode:

Press the “DUAL” button. When the DUAL mode is activated, the indicator light on the “DUAL” button illuminates.

To deactivate the DUAL mode:

Press the “DUAL” button again. When the DUAL mode is deactivated, the indicator light on the “DUAL” button turns off and the temperature setting for the front passenger’s side becomes the same as the setting for the driver’s side.

Defroster button

Defroster button

To defrost or dehumidify the windshield and front door windows, press the defroster button “”. When the “” button is pressed, the indicator light on the button illuminates and the following operation is performed.

- The outside air is drawn into the passenger compartment and the airflow is directed towards the windshield and the front door windows.

- The air conditioner compressor automatically operates to quickly defog the windshield.

After eliminating the fogging from the windshield, return the climate control system to the FULL AUTO mode by pressing the “AUTO” button or turn off by pressing the “OFF” button.

Alternatively, press the “” button again to return the system to the setting that was selected before you activated the defroster.

Fan speed control button

Fan speed control button

The fan speed control button has 7 different fan speed positions.

The fan speed is shown by the display.

A/C – Air conditioner button

A/C – Air conditioner button

If the windshield starts to fog when the climate control system is operated in the AUTO mode, press the air conditioner button “A/C” to defog and dehumidify.

When this button is pressed, the air conditioner compressor turns on and the indicator light “A/C” on the display illuminates.

To turn off the air conditioner compressor, press the “A/C” button again.

NOTE
The air conditioner compressor does not operate when the outside air temperature is below 328F (08C).

Airflow mode selection button

Airflow mode selection button

Select the desired airflow mode by pressing the airflow mode selection button. The selected airflow mode is indicated on the display.

Each airflow mode activates the following air outlets.

(Ventilation): Instrument panel outlets

(Bi-level): Instrument panel outlets and the foot outlets

(Heat): Foot outlets, both side outlets of the instrument panel and some through windshield defroster outlets (A small amount of air flows to the windshield and both side windows to prevent fogging.)

Heat-def): Windshield defroster outlets, foot outlets and both side outlets of the instrument panel

NOTE
When the “” mode is selected, the air conditioner compressor automatically operates to more quickly defog the windshield. At the same time, the air inlet selection is automatically set to the “” mode (outside air mode).

Air inlet selection button

Air inlet selection button

Select airflow by pressing the air inlet selection button.

The selected air inlet setting is shown on the control panel.

(Recirculation): Interior air recirculates inside the passenger compartment.

Use this position when quickly cooling down the passenger compartment or to prevent outside air from entering the passenger compartment. When the recirculation mode is selected, a “” indicator light appears on the display.

(Outside air): Outside air is drawn into the passenger compartment. When the climate control system is operated in the “AUTO” mode, this position is selected automatically. (There is one exception:
When the temperature control dial is turned fully counterclockwise, the recirculation mode is automatically selected.) When the outside air mode is selected, a “” indicator light appears on the display.

Continued operation in the “” position may fog up the windows.

Switch to the “” position as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.

NOTE
When driving on a dusty road or behind a vehicle that emits unpleasant exhaust gases, set the air inlet selection button to the “” position. From time to time, return the air inlet selection button to the “” position to draw outside air into the passenger compartment.

Type B

Although this climate control system can be used as a full-automatic climate control system, it can also, if desired, be used as a semi-automatic climate control system.

When it is used as a full-automatic climate control system, the outlet air temperature, fan speed, airflow distribution, air inlet control, and air conditioner compressor operation are all automatically controlled to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature inside the vehicle.

NOTE
- When the engine coolant is cold, the blower does not run.

- In the “AUTO” mode, when the air temperature in the passenger compartment is sufficiently cool, the air conditioner compressor does not operate.

For efficient defogging or dehumidifying in cold weather, press the “A/C” button to operate the air conditioner compressor.

Control panel

Control panel

1) Temperature control dial
2) Fan speed control dial
3) Airflow control dial
4) Control switch of the defogger and deicer system (Refer to “Defogger and deicer”.)
5) Air inlet selection button
6) Air conditioner button

To use as full-automatic climate control system

1. Place the temperature control dial in the position for the preferred temperature.

2. Set the airflow control dial and fan speed control dial in the “AUTO” position.

The system’s functions will then switch to AUTO mode and be controlled automatically.

- Airflow control dial: AUTO position
- Fan speed control dial: AUTO position

To use as semi-automatic climate control system

Each function can be individually set to AUTO mode independently of the others.

Any function set to AUTO mode is controlled automatically. Any function not set to AUTO mode can be manually adjusted as desired.

The temperature can be set within a range of 65 to 858F (20 to 308C).

Fan speed control dial

Fan speed control dial

The fan operates only with the ignition switch in the ON position. The fan speed control dial is used to select the AUTO (automatic control) mode or to select the desired fan speed. The dial’s positions and their functions are as follows.

OFF: The fan does not operate.

AUTO: The fan speed is adjusted automatically in accordance with the air temperature inside and outside the passenger compartment, the intensity of sunlight, and other factors. SUBARU recommends using the AUTO position.

Other positions: The fan speed can be adjusted in 7 steps.

NOTE
With the fan speed control dial in the AUTO position and the airflow control dial in the “”, “”, or “” position, the fan does not operate during engine warm-up until the engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 1228F (508C).

Temperature control dial

Temperature control dial

This dial is used to set the desired interior temperature. With the dial set to your desired temperature, the system automatically adjusts the temperature of air supplied from the outlets such that the desired temperature is achieved and maintained.

If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise, the system gives maximum cooling performance.

If the dial is turned fully clockwise, the system gives maximum heating performance.

Airflow control dial

Airflow control dial

Each dial position activates the following air outlets.

AUTO: The airflow control is adjusted automatically in accordance with the air temperature inside and outside the passenger compartment, the intensity of sunlight, and other factors. SUBARU recommends using the AUTO position.

(Ventilation): Instrument panel outlets

(Bi-level): Instrument panel outlets and foot outlets

(Heat): Foot outlets, both side outlets of the instrument panel and some through windshield defroster outlets (A small amount of air flows to the windshield and both side windows to prevent fogging.)

(Heat-def): Windshield defroster outlets, foot outlets and both side outlets of the instrument panel

: Windshield defroster outlets and both side outlets of the instrument panel

For details, refer to “Airflow selection”.

NOTE
When the dial is placed in the “” or “” position, the air inlet selection is automatically set to “outside air” mode.

Air inlet selection button

Air inlet selection button

ON position (recirculation): Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle. Push the air inlet selection button to the ON position for fast cooling with the air conditioner or when driving on a dusty road. The indicator light will illuminate.

OFF position (outside air): Outside air is drawn into the passenger compartment.

Push the air inlet selection button to the OFF position when the interior has cooled to a comfortable temperature and the road is no longer dusty. The indicator light will turn off.

AUTO: Turn the fan speed control dial and airflow control dial to the AUTO position.

The air inlet control is then adjusted automatically in accordance with the air temperature inside and outside the passenger compartment, the intensity of sunlight, and other factors. Pressing the air inlet selection button cancels the “AUTO” mode. To return to “AUTO” mode, turn the fan speed control dial or airflow control dial to a position other than the AUTO position. Then turn to “AUTO” mode.

SUBARU recommends using the AUTO position.

Continued operation in the ON position may fog up the windows. Switch to the OFF position as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.

Air conditioner button

Air conditioner button

The button positions and their functions are as follows.

ON: The air conditioner operates while the fan is running.

Push the button to select this position. The indicator light will illuminate.

OFF: The air conditioner does not operate.

Push the button again to select this position. The indicator light will turn off.

AUTO: Turn the fan speed control dial and airflow control dial to the AUTO position.

The air conditioner compressor operation is then adjusted automatically in accordance with the air temperature inside and outside the passenger compartment, the intensity of sunlight, and other factors.

Pressing the button cancels the “AUTO” mode. To return to “AUTO” mode, turn the fan speed control dial or airflow control dial to a position other than the AUTO position. Then turn to “AUTO” mode.

SUBARU recommends using the AUTO position.

NOTE
The air conditioner’s compressor does not operate with an outside temperature of 328F (08C) or lower.

Temperature sensors

Temperature sensors

1) Interior air temperature sensor
2) Solar sensor

The automatic climate control system employs several sensors. These sensors are delicate. If they are not treated properly and become damaged, the system may not be able to control the interior temperature correctly. To avoid damaging the sensors, observe the following precautions.

– Do not subject the sensors to impact.

– Keep water away from the sensors.

– Do not cover the sensors.

The sensors are located as follows.

– Solar sensor: beside the windshield defroster grille.

– Interior air temperature sensor: near the ignition switch.

– Outside temperature sensor: behind the front grille.