Subaru Forester: Vehicle Dynamics Control system

Subaru Forester / Subaru Forester Owner's Manual / Starting and operating / Vehicle Dynamics Control system

Always use the utmost care in

Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving a vehicle with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system could easily lead to a serious accident.

- Even if your vehicle is equipped

- Even if your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control system, winter tires should be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads; in addition, vehicle speed should be reduced considerably. Simply having a Vehicle Dynamics Control system does not guarantee that the vehicle will be able to avoid accidents in any situation.

- Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is an indication that the road being travelled on has a slippery surface; since having Vehicle Dynamics Control is no guarantee that full vehicle control will be maintained at all times and under all conditions, its activation should be seen as a sign that the speed of the vehicle should be reduced considerably.

- Whenever suspension components, steering components, or an axle are removed from a vehicle, have an inspection of that system performed by an authorized SUBARU dealer.

- The following precautions should be observed in order to ensure that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is operating properly:
– All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand. Furthermore, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires.

– Keep the tire pressure at the proper level as shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar.

– Use only the specified temporary spare tire to replace a flat tire. With a temporary spare tire, the effectiveness of the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is reduced and this should be taken into account when driving the vehicle in such a condition.

- If non-matching tires are used, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system may not operate correctly.

- The Vehicle Dynamics Control system helps prevent unstable vehicle motion such as skidding using control of the brakes and engine power. Do not turn off the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unless it is absolutely necessary.

If you must turn off the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, drive very carefully according to the road surface condition.

In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface and/or during cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to help maintain traction and directional control.

- Traction Control Function

The traction control function is designed to prevent spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional control.

Activation of this function is shown by steady illumination of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light.

- Skid Suppression Function

The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering operations. Activation of this function is shown by flashing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light.

NOTE
- The Vehicle Dynamics Control system may be considered normal when the following conditions occur.

– Slight twitching of the brake pedal is felt.

– The vehicle or steering wheel shakes to a small degree.

– An operating sound from the engine compartment is heard briefly when starting the engine and when driving off after starting the engine.

– The brake pedal seems to jolt when driving off after starting the engine.

- In the following circumstances, the vehicle may be more unstable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control System may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a system malfunction.

– on gravel-covered or rutted roads
– on unfinished roads
– when the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or winter tires
- Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system will cause operation of the steering wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal conditions.

- It is always important to reduce speed when approaching a corner, even if the vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control.

- Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire. Failure to do so may render the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unable to operate correctly.

Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor

Refer to “Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light” and “Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light”.

Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch

Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch

Pressing the switch to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system can facilitate the following operations:
- a standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or otherwise slippery surface
- extrication of the vehicle when its wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow

When the switch is pressed during engine operation, the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light on the combination meter illuminates. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system will be deactivated and the vehicle will behave like a model not equipped with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. When the switch is pressed again to reactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turns off.

With the Vehicle Dynamics Control system deactivated, traction and stability enhancement offered by Vehicle Dynamics Control system is unavailable. Therefore you should not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except under above-mentioned situations.

NOTE
- The Vehicle Dynamics Control system will be activated automatically when the engine is started.

- If the switch is held down for 10 seconds or longer, the indicator light turns off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is activated, and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To make the switch usable again, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and restart the engine.

- When the switch is pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the vehicle’s running performance is comparable with that of a vehicle that does not have a Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Do not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except when absolutely necessary.

- Even when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is deactivated, components of the brake control system may still activate. When the brake control system is activated, the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light illuminates.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models)

See also:


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