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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Comments
Craig
Search on-line, though, it's much easier.
-juice
Juice and Craig: have you had any dealings with them at all or jsut like to browse?
Thanks again,
Kyle
-mike
I actually drove 160 miles up there, from tidewater VA, because they had such a good selection and prices.
Craig
I understand that the manual tells you how to program the keyless remote.
Can somebody explain exactly how to do this? I just bought a new keyless remote and I don't want to wait until my new owner's manual arrives.
Thanks! This has been a very helpful forum already in just 3 weeks of Subaru ownership.
Craig
My e-mail is in my profile if you want a reference. If I get a referral fee we'll go out for lunch together and spend it! )
Plus I can envy your new ride.
-juice
-mike
Two transmitters are provided for your vehicle.The keyless entry system has the following functions.
-Locking and unlocking the doors and rear gate without a key
-Sounding a panic alarm
-Arming and disarming the security system (if your vehicle is equipped with an optional security system).
See the next section Security system (if equipped) for detailed information. The operable distance of the keyless entry system is approximately 30 feet (10 meters). However, this distance will vary depending on environmental
conditions. Range may be reduced near sources of RF interference such as power plants and radio/television broadcasting towers. The keyless entry system does not operate when the key is inserted in the ignition switch.
Locking the doors
Briefly press the LOCK/ARM button (for less than two seconds) to lock all doors and rear gate. The horn will sound one time. If any of the doors or the rear gate is not fully closed, the horn will sound three times to alert you that the doors (or the rear gate) are not properly closed. When you close the door, it will automatically lock.
Unlocking the doors
Briefly press the UNLOCK/DISARM button (for less than two seconds) to unlock the driver’s door. The horn will sound two times. To unlock all doors and rear gate, briefly press the UNLOCK/DISARM button a second time.
Illuminated entry
The interior (dome) light will illuminate when the UNLOCK/DISARM button is pressed. The light will illuminate for approximately 30 seconds or until the key is inserted in the ignition switch or until the LOCK/ARM button is pressed. Once any of the doors or the rear gate is opened, this function will be canceled. The interior light must be set to the middle position in order for this function to operate.
Sounding a panic alarm
To activate the alarm, keep the LOCK/ARM button pressed for more than two seconds. To deactivate it, press the LOCK/ARM button or UNLOCK/DISARM button. Unless a button on the remote is pressed, the alarm will be deactivated after approximately 30 seconds.
Selecting audible signal operation
Using the horn, the system will give you an audible signal when the doors lock and unlock. If desired, you may turn the audible signal off. To turn the audible signal off, simultaneously depress LOCK/ARM and UNLOCK/DISARM buttons for more than two seconds. The horn will sound two times to inform you that the audible signal has been turned off. To turn the audible signal on, simultaneously depress LOCK/ARM and UNLOCK/DISARM buttons for more than two seconds. The horn will sound one time to inform you that the audible signal has been turned on.
Replacing the battery
CAUTION Do not let dust, oil or water get on or in the transmitter when replacing the battery.
When the transmitter battery begins to get weak, transmitter range will begin to decrease and the LED will not illuminate. Replace the battery as soon as possible. Positive (+) side facing up To replace the battery:
1. Remove the two screws on the back of the transmitter case by using a phillips screwdriver.
2. Separate the case.
3. Remove the old battery from the holder.
4. Replace with a new battery (Type CR2032 or equivalent) making sure to install the new battery with the positive (+) side facing up.
5. Install the back half of the transmitter case.
6. Reinstall the two screws on the back of the transmitter case.
After the battery is replaced, the transmitter must be synchronized with the keyless entry system’s control unit. Press either the LOCK/ARM or UNLOCK/DISARM button six times to synchronize the unit.
Replacing lost transmitters
If you lose a transmitter or want to purchase additional transmitters (up to four can be programmed), you should re-program all of your transmitters for security reasons. It is recommended that you have your dealer program all of your transmitters into your system.
Programming the transmitters
The keyless entry system is equipped with a special code learning feature that allows you to program new transmitter codes into the system or to delete old ones. The system can learn up to four unique transmitter codes. The four transmitter codes may be the same or different.
To enter the programming mode:
1. Press to disarm the security system (if so equipped).
2. Open the driver’s door and sit in the driver’s seat.
3. Close the driver’s door.
4. Place the ignition key into the ignition switch and cycle the switch from LOCK to ON ten times within 15 seconds. Be sure to stop at the LOCK position and leave the key in the ignition. The horn will sound once to indicate that you are in the transmitter programming mode. NOTE You must finish the next step (opening the driver’s door) within 45 seconds of starting this procedures.
To program the transmitters:
1. Open the driver’s door.
2. Close the driver’s door.
3. Press and release any button on the transmitter that you wish to program into the system. The horn will sound two times to indicate that the transmitter has been programmed. Any additional transmitters can also be programmed at this time. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for an additional transmitter.
To exit the programming mode:
1. After all of your transmitters are programmed, remove the key from the ignition switch. The horn will sound three times to indicate that the system has exited the programming mode.
2. Make sure that the keyless entry system properly operates by operating each transmitter.
Deleting old transmitter codes
The control unit of the keyless entry system has four memory locations to store transmitter codes, giving it the ability to operate with up to four transmitters. When you lose a transmitter, the lost transmitter’s code remains in the memory. For security reasons, lost transmitter codes should be deleted from the memory. To delete old transmitter codes, program four transmitter codes into the system. If you have only one current transmit ter, program it four
times. If you have two current transmitters, program each one twice. If you have three current transmitters, program two of them once and the third one twice. This process will leave only current transmitter codes in the system’s memory.
NOTE
Make sure no one else is operating their keyless entry system within range of your vehicle when programming transmitters. If someone else were to operate their remote transmitter while you are programming your transmitters, it is possible that their transmitter code will be programmed into your system, allowing them unauthorized access to your vehicle.
Steve, Host
-mike
fwiw
Anyway, it is automatic transmission.
Steve, Host
thanks for posting the instructions from the manual. That's exactly what I'm looking for. In addition, I have now signed up at My.subaru.com.
paisan: The car did come with one remote. I bought an additional one and that is the one that I need to program.
Len
As far as break-ins go... hm... I was locked out of my car recently - left the keys on the seat. AAA had to come break into my car for me. How easy was it? Well, a slim jim won't work - that's the device you wiggle down between the window and the door to pop the lock from within the door. Modern cars including the subies don't relent to a slim jim. They did have to go through the window with a hanger but I don't think it was any easier on a frameless window than on my old Civic hatchback's framed window. In fact it took a while. They did wind up unlocking the passenger side door from within the cabin, using the hanger. That set the alarm off. If you have the security option, you'll know that you need the key or the remote to shut the alarm off... at least until you can find the fuse or disconnect the battery. Ah - thank you Mayor Dinkins... you can't leave your car with the alarm triggered in NYC anymore can you!? Where is Guiliani when you need him?! Well, at least you don't have a Civic Si that everyone wants to steal. Maybe you have a parking garage with security? :-[
Elissa
Have Fun.
Maybe a sunroof would help keep it aired out.
Steve, Host
-Frank
Elissa, this actually goes back to old-school vehicle construction. There was a distinct difference between "sedan" and "hardtop". The hardtop was a much more rigidly constructed body where the roof was only supported by the corner pillars - there was no center pillar at all. The doors themselves (especially the rear doors) added much less structural rigidity than a sedan, and the windows were frameless. It's not so much that the windows themselves are safer, but the body itself is stronger to not need the additional support of full-frame doors.
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
I had to adjust the seal on my wife's Forester (wind noise), but it was fine after that. Never any leaks or other serious problems. Subaru has built a lot of adjustability for glass angle and position, so they clearly tune the fit of the windows for the best seal.
In reality, the frameless windows are better than framed for structural strength, weight, and safety. They allocate metal that would have gone into the door frames (where they contribute little to nothing to the overall structure) into the body itself where it is more effective. So you get more structure strength and lower weight with the frameless windows.
Craig
1. I am concerned with buying a soon to be discontinued car. At least it sounds like it will be.
2. No cold weather package (heated mirrors,sets,wipers). I wonder why this is not offered. It would really help at times up north where i live.
Otherwise, yes it does sound like it fits the bill for me. I haven't bought a car for 10 years so I am having trouble making a decision on this.
-Frank
I have several "old" subies and the frameless windows are fine. No issues.
For security, you can do some things to prevent them from sticking an instrument in and hitting the lock buttons. We came up with a system that helps secure the subies specifically....
-mike
-Frank
During refueling, the nozzle always shuts off about 2.5 - 3 gallons before full. It doesn't do it when pressing the nozzle halfway during the last half of the fill-up, but this is "full-service only" NJ.
Are you getting the correct number of gallons in the tank before the pump shuts off?
-Dennis
-Dennis
And I have towed and taken it off road, plus 2 kids and a dog beat it up all the time. It's holding up TOO well, actually, I have no good reason to trade it in for a turbo.
Curse you Subaru! LOL
For garbage - just get the cargo liner. For stinky stuff I'd use a tarp as well, to be safe. But nothing beats an open bed.
-juice
-mike
One thing I do is turn off my A/C compressor a block or two before I get home, to sort of air out the system. Mostly I do it to prevent the moldy smell, though.
-juice
-juice
Thing is Legacy had a recall early on, and the IIHS results were Marginal, despite great Aussie tests.
So I think we'll see Subaru engineer them a little more before they spread. Just a guess.
Forester already scores Good on IIHS side impacts, better than the Legacy by far.
But...the conclusive comparison is this - my 2 year old son refuses to go to school in his mom's Legacy, he INSISTS on taking my Forester. It's silly but she drive him to school in that, then drives home, switches cars, and takes her car to work.
So Forester is better, period. ;-)
-juice
JP
I'm not saying I wouldn't be as happy with a Leg GT, I just think I can't justify the rather large extra expense. Not rationally.
Nice interior, sure, so my kids can have a food fight in the back, great! ;-)
-juice