Subaru Forester: Remote engine start system (dealer option)

- Do not remote start a vehicle in an enclosed environment (e.g., in a closed garage). Prolonged operation of a motor vehicle in an enclosed environment can cause a harmful build-up of Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide is harmful to your health. Exposure to high levels of Carbon Monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness or in extreme cases unconsciousness and/or death.

- Before performing any servicing of the vehicle, temporarily place the remote engine start system in service mode to prevent the system from unexpectedly starting the engine.

Starting your vehicle

Starting your vehicle

The remote control start system is activated by pressing the “” button twice within 3 seconds on your remote control transmitter. The system will check certain pre-conditions before starting, and if all safety parameters are correct, the engine will start within 5 seconds. While the vehicle is operating via remote engine start, the vehicle’s power window features will be disabled. Also, the system has a timer and will shut down after 15 minutes if you do not operate the vehicle. Press and hold the “” button for 2 seconds again to turn the vehicle off. If the vehicle’s starter cranks but does not start or starts and stalls, the remote engine start system will power off then attempt to start the vehicle an additional four times. If the vehicle fails to start after the additional attempts, the remote engine start system will abort and return to a non-activated state.

Remote start safety features

For safety and security reasons, the system will fail to start and beep the horn twice or shut down the engine during remote start operation if any of the following conditions occur.

- The brake pedal is pressed before the vehicle ignition switch is turned “on”.

- The key was already in the ignition switch.

- The engine hood is opened.

- The vehicle’s engine idle speed has reached a level over 3,000 rpm.

- The alarm is triggered by opening a door or the rear gate.

NOTE
- The security indicator light on the dashboard will stop flashing while under remote engine start operation, but the vehicle is still protected.

- If the vehicle is entered during remote engine start operation, the system will not record entry in the alarm history.

Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start

1. Unlock the vehicle doors using the keyless entry system. If the vehicle’s doors are unlocked manually using the key, the vehicle’s alarm system will trigger and the remote engine start system will turn off. Inserting the key into the ignition switch and turning it to the “ON” position or pressing the unlock button “” on the remote keyless entry transmitter will disarm the alarm system. Refer to “Alarm system”.

2. Enter the vehicle. Do not depress the brake pedal.

3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn to the “ON” position. If the ignition switch is accidentally turned to the “START” position, the system’s “starter anti-grind” feature will prevent the starter from re-cranking.

4. Depress the brake pedal. The remote starter disengages, the vehicle’s power window features are re-enabled and the vehicle will operate normally.

Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown

An alarm trigger may occur if the vehicle is opened by the remote keyless entry transmitter within a few seconds immediately following remote engine start shutdown.

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

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

Service mode

In service mode, the remote start function is temporarily disabled to prevent the system from unexpectedly starting the engine while being serviced.

To engage the service mode

Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position, depress and hold the brake pedal, then press and release the “” button on the remote control transmitter three times. The system will pause for 1 second and then flash the turn signal lights and honk the horn three times indicating that the system is in service mode. When attempting to activate the remote start system while in service mode, the turn signal lights will flash and the horn will honk two times and will not start.

To disengage the service mode

Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position, depress and hold the brake pedal, then press and release the “” button on the remote control transmitter three times. The system will pause for 1 second and flash the turn signal lights 1 time indicating that the system has exited service mode.

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

Remote transmitter programming and programmable feature option

New transmitters can be programmed to the engine starter system in the event that remote transmitters are lost, stolen or damaged. The remote engine start system also has one programmable feature that can be adjusted for user preference.

The remote engine starter system can be programmed to either make an audible horn chirp upon remote start activation or not. Remote transmitter programming and feature programming can be adjusted using the following procedure.

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

2. Insert the key into the vehicle’s ignition switch and turn to the “ON” position.

3. Locate the small black programming button behind the fuse box cover, on the driver’s side left under the dashboard panel.

4. Press and hold the black programming button for 10 to 15 seconds. The horn will honk and the turn signal lights will flash three times to indicate that the system has entered programming mode. At this point you can proceed to either step 5 or step 6.

5. To program a remote transmitter:
press and release the “” button on each transmitter. The horn will honk and the turn signal lights will flash one time to indicate a successful transmitter learn each time the “” button is pressed. You can program up to eight transmitters.

6. To toggle the Horn Confirmation chirps ON/OFF: press and release the brake to toggle the feature. The horn will chirp and the turn signal lights will flash one time to indicate Confirmation Horn Chirps are “OFF”. The horn will honk and the turn signal lights will flash 2 times to indicate Confirmation Horn Chirps are “ON”.

Pressing the brake pedal repeatedly will toggle the feature ON or OFF each time.

7. To exit the remote transmitter and feature programming mode, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position, remove the key from the ignition switch and test operation of the remote transmitter(s) and horn confirmation feature.

System maintenance

Changing the remote control batteries

- Do not let dust, oil or water get on or in the remote engine start transmitter when replacing the battery.

- Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

The two 3-volt lithium batteries (model CR-1220) supplied in your remote control should last approximately 3 years, depending on usage. When the batteries 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 control batteries.

1. Carefully pry the remote control halves apart using a small flat-head screwdriver.

2. Remove the circuit board from the bottom half of the case and slide the white plastic battery holder out from under the battery tab releasing the batteries. Remove the old batteries and replace with new ones. Be sure to observe the (+) sign on the old batteries before removing them to ensure that the new batteries are inserted properly (battery “+” should be pointed away from the transmitter circuit board on both batteries).

3. Carefully snap the case halves back together, then test the remote control.

FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

NOTE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-Gen of IC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Stopping the engine

Manual transmission