Crash tests
hwysafety.org, nhtsa.gov, iihs.org
 

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2009 Forester photo pages
Exterior photos, Exterior Options page, Interior Photos
2009 Window Stickers

A: Cargo door width at bottom of door opening 39" 
B: Cargo floor length to back of rear seat 35.5"
C: Cargo floor length to back of center console 70" (updated 3/15/08)
D: Cargo door height in middle of door 34.5"
E: Cargo floor width between wheel wells 42.2"
F: Cargo floor maximum length from rear to front console (stereo) 102"
G: Rear seat maximum width, seats folded flat from door to door 55.5"
60/40 split rear seat width: Rear Passenger width 24", Rear driver width 15.5"
H: Cargo door width at middle of door44" 
I: Cargo height, floor to roof, with sunroof: 32"
J: Cargo door width at top of door 39" 
Maximum width of cargo floor from inside of the side storage bins 62"

Seat and Leg room measurements 
see photos below
Leg room, Front seat to brake pedal: 15"- 23.5"
Leg room, rear seat to back of front seat 8.5"-18" depending on front seat position.
Driver door opening height is 59" from ground to top weather strip, 
Driver seat height range is app 24-26" high. All hand measured.
see photos below

Sunroof measures 28" W, 31.5" L

3/24/09 Update crash test new roof strength rating system and 09 Forester does well!'The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is launching a new roof strength rating system to help consumers pick vehicles that will help protect them in rollover crashes. Twelve small SUVs are the first to be put to the test. Only 4 earn the top rating of good. The Volkswagen Tiguan has the strongest rated roof, and the Kia Sportage has the weakest among the 2008-09 models evaluated. 
This new rating system is based on Institute research showing that occupants in rollover crashes benefit from stronger roofs. Vehicles rated good must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.
The Tiguan, Subaru Forester, Honda Element, and Jeep Patriot earn good ratings. The Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Mitsubishi Outlander are rated acceptable. Roofs on the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape are marginal, and the Kia's is poor. 
"We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way our frontal offset and side impact consumer test programs have led to better protection in these kinds of crashes," says Institute president Adrian Lund...
...How roofs are evaluated: In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. A marginal rating value is 2.5. Anything lower than that is poor. 
 ... Cars have been built to meet the same roof crush standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216, since 1973. The rule was extended in 1994 to include all passenger vehicles up to a gross weight rating of 6,000 pounds. Many SUVs and pickups are heavier, so they're exempt. In 2005, the government proposed an upgrade to cover these larger vehicles and require the roofs on all passenger vehicles to have a strength-to-weight ratio of 2.5. Many vehicles already meet this ratio and would earn only a marginal rating in the Institute's new roof strength test. A final rule is still pending...' more from IIHS.org
 

NHTSA May 2009: 5 Star NHTSA Crash Test Results 5 Star front and side impact  Rollover IIHS 2009 Top Safety Pick- small SUV category 2009s get Good rating  front, side, roof strength Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for  front, side, and rear tests and standard stability control. IIHS Front crash test, side crash test results. NEW for 2009 all Forester models have... new VDC, stability control is standard on all models  new Airbags: dual front, dual front side, and front and rear side curtain with roll-over sensor new Disc brakes, rear disc brakes now on all models Tire Pressure Monitoring on all models Brake Assist for maximum braking  Tire Pressure Monitoring on all models Electronic Brake Distribution Collapsable foot pedals to help minimize injury Crumple zones front and rear Side impact door beams Child seat anchors (latch system) Child seat tethers (latch system) Tinted safety glass. Daytime running lights Anti-lock disc brakes, 4 wheel discs Child safety rear door locks Airbags dual front, dual front side, and front and rear side curtain Front Driver Airbag: Dual stage driver airbag deploys according to the driver’s distance to the steering wheel, measured by a sensor on the seat track. Front Passenger Airbag: Dual stage passenger airbag deploys according to occupant etc. A light by the upper cosole indicates on or off (see photo). A sensor device detects and measures weight, position on the seat, position of the seat to determine if it’s occupied and if so by a child or adult to control air bag deployment. New: Reverse assist sensors optional starting 12/08 (see options below)

2009 Forester crash test window sticker always drive safely and watch the road ahead NHTSA 2009 Forester crash test photo shows the front crumple zone protecting the occupants.

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Bumper-to-bumper: 3 year/36,000 miles. 
Wear Item warranty 3 year/36,000 miles, covers premature wear: brakes, clutch linings, remote batteries, wiper blades (one time replacement) etc.
Roadside assistance 3yr/36000 miles by the Cross Country Motor Club at 800 261-2155, break-down, lock-out, flat repair etc
Powertrain: 5 year/ 60,000 miles
Corrosion: 5 year/100,000 miles
Emission: warranties vary by emission system and state. Minimum 3yr/36,000 with extended major emission component defect warranty 8yr/80,000
Note Warranties do not cover wear or damage due to abuse, lack of maintenance or competitive driving. Exclusions may apply, wear replacement may be one time.

1st oil change all models recommended at 3 mos or 3000 miles whichever comes first. Required on turbo and 6 cylinders. 2.5L required at 7,500 miles or 7 mos. 
Oil changes intervals: 3,750 miles with normal driving, 7,500 miles with light driving.
XT Turbo oil changes every 3,740 miles required
Tire rotations: every 6-10,00 miles. Equal tread required. Tires, wheels FAQ

15,000 mile inspection, tire rotation (best 6-10,000 miles), air and other filter changes as needed based on conditions, driving
30,000 mile service with fluid, filter, spark plug change, except XT turbo plugs are at 60,000 miles.
new Super Coolant Radiator Fluid is blue in color and has an extended life. The 1st replacement is 11 years, 137,500 miles, or 220,000Km. The 2nd replacement is 6yrs, 75,000 miles (120,000km).
60,000 mile - repeat 30,000 service, replace plugs on XT turbo
90,000 mile service with complete fluid, filter, spark plug change, except XT turbo plugs are at 120,000 miles
105,000 mile replace timing belt. 

Emissions: all Subarus meet EPA Tier 2 Bin 5  and California LEV II standards.

new PZEV (partial zero emissions) is required on all non turbo models sold in CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA

new VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) electronic stability control
new TCS Traction Control system
new Side airbags (replaces head and chest side airbags)
new Side Curtain front and rear airbags
new Double wishbone rear suspension
new 4 wheel disc brakes with Brake Assist (was rear drum, Brake Assist is new)
new Incline Assist clutch, manual trans (replaces hill holder)
new 16.9 US gallon fuel tank (was 15.9)
new Twin tailpipes (optional exhaust tips)
new Engine Immobilizer Key, complies w/ Pt 15 of FCC Rules, RSS-210 Industry Canada.
new Laser cut keys
new Automatic off headlights with ignition key removal (turn off-on for parking lights)
new All 2009 Subarus have the new Subaru Super Coolant. This new coolant is blue in color and has an extended life. The 1st replacement is 11 years, 137,500 miles, or 220,000Km. The 2nd replacement is 6yrs, 75,000 miles, 120,000km.

Gone the small hidden underfloor storage bin right behind the rear seats.
I liked that space!

Gone: engine temperature guage replaced by this blue dashboard engine temperature warning light that is on when the engine is first started and still cold. If it turns red the engine temp is too high!! 
At app 235°F it Blinks RED, at app 248°F is steadily ON RED

 

optional 
new SportShift 4speed auto transmission now available
Now optional: fog lights, rear cargo tray, rear cargo cover 

app 26% of all Foresters will be this model

Standard on all models

All Wheel Drive
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
Airbags: dual stage front airbags
Airbags: front side
Airbags: front and rear side curtain with roll over sensor
4 wheel disc anti-lock brakes
Safety Pedal system
EBD electronic brake force distribution
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
16" steel wheel with full wheel cover 

Air filtration system  for passenger, replace paper filter when dirty, every 1-2 years
Brakes: Anti-Lock brakes with Brake Assist. 4 wheel, 4 channel,
Brakes: 4 wheel disc
Power Windows with illuminated switch
Power door locks
Power outside mirrors
Cruise control
Air conditioning
Keys: laser cut keys with Immobilizer System, keyless remote entry,
Illuminated ignition key ring, ignition disabling alarm

Variable speed intermittent front wipers
2 speed rear wiper, fixed intermittent, blade blade de-icer
Height adjustable drivers seat, manual
5 shoulder seatbelts, 2 front and 3 rear
3 rear headrests
Center console with sliding armrest, cupholders, removeable storage bin that hangs on door pocket, power socket, auxiliary input plug etc (see photos)
Rear seat center armrest
underfloor cargo storage areas with temporary duty spare tire
temporary spare tire
Power Outlets, 12V- dashboard, center console, rear cargo area. 
No cigarette lighter outlet (and no ashtray)
Cupholders, 6: 2 center console, 1 in each door: 
Rear defroster with wiper blade de-icer
Leather shift boot (manual only)
Interior dome light (delayed off)
Rear cargo light
2 overhead Map lights
Door light, light in each door
Illuminated ignition key ring
3 under-carpet rear cargo storage bins
4 cargo tie-down hooks 
Tilt steering column
Tachometer, low fuel light, coolant temp. gauge
Automatic off headlights with ignition key removal (turn off-on for parking lights)
Floor mats, carpeted
Split folding rear seats
Plastic headlight lens, chip resistant lexan
Tinted glass, (lightly tinted)
Black door handles
Black outside mirrors

Stereo: 80 watt am/fm with single disc CD, auxiliary input, 4 speakers

new PZEV (partial zero emissions) is required on this non turbo model sold in CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA

new Roof rails, raised (cross bars are optional)
new 17x7" alloy wheels
new Dark Privacy glass with upper windshield band

new Chrome outside door handles
new Reclining rear seatbacks
new Steering wheel audio controls, (in additon to cruise controls)
new Rear seat retractable cargo tray, 2 rear cupholders, LED lit (total 4 rear cupholder)

Power glass sunroof with sunshade, 28"x31.5" interior (hand measured)
Body colored outside mirrors
Chrome inside door handles
All Weather Package, on vehicles starting May, 2008. App 45% of all Foresters will be this model. 
New for 09 One Touch rear defroster button turns on the rear defroster, outside heated mirrors and front wiper deicer

Optional (late availability, ETA June) All Weather Package with heated front seats, and One Touch defrosting outside mirrors, front wiper de-icer.
Update 5/2/08: All Weather Package Premiums arriving early May

Stereo: 80 watt am/fm with single disc CD, auxiliary input, 4 speakers 

NOTE Limited name replaces LL Bean name stating with early April, 2008 production. It's the same car with a new name, and no LL Bean badging anyplace.

new PZEV (partial zero emissions) is required on this non turbo model sold in CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA
new 10 way power driver seat with power lumbar support
new standard Automatic SportShift 4 speed transmission w/ Electronic Direct Control (no manual transmission available)

Fog Lights
LL Bean logos
LL Bean cargo tray
LL Bean floor mats
Automatic Climate Control
Tail pipe exhaust bright tips, dual
Leather wrapped steering wheel
Perforated leather seating surfaces
Leather wrapped automatic shift knob

Driver's seat back map pocket
Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
All Weather Package with heated front seats, and defrosting outside mirrors, front wiper de-icer. New for 09 The One Touch rear defroster button turns on the rear defroster, outside heated mirrors and front wiper deicer

Stereo: Premium Stereo, 80 watt, 6 disc CD changer, 6 speakers, SRS auto audio enhancement

app 20% of all Foresters will be this model

Optional 
touch screen 7" GPS Navigation, 140watt, AM/FM single CD with Audyssey MultEQ audio enhancement, audio inputs
Note: that Navigation does not include Hawaii, Alaska

2.5L 4 cylinder turbo, intercooled engine with Active Valve Control System (variable valve timing), 224horsepower, premium 92 octane fuel

Turbo models are not required to be PZEV and are sold in all 50 states. 

new Engine cover
new Telescoping steering wheel
new  standard Automatic SportShift 4 speed transmission w/ Electronic Direct Control (no manual transmission available)

Fog Lights
17x7" alloys
Tail pipe exhaust tips, dual
Liquid filled engine mounts
Aluminum gas and brake pedal covers
Rear spoiler, body colored, with brake light

Stereo: Premium Stereo 80 watt, 6 disc CD changer, 6 speakers, SRS auto audio enhancement

No power seat
No All Weather Package

app 3% of all Foresters will be this model

Turbo models are not required to be PZEV and are sold in all 50 states. 

new 10 way power driver seat with power lumbar support

Driver's seat back map pocket
Perforated leather seating surfaces
Leather wrapped automatic shift knob
Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
All Weather Package with heated front seats, and defrosting outside mirrors, front wiper de-icer. New for 09 The rear defroster button turns on the rear defroster, outside heated mirrors and front wiper deicer. 
App 6% of all Foresters will be the XT Limited

optional 
7" touch screen GPS Navigation, 140watt, AM/FM single CD with Audyssey MultEQ audio enhancement

Stereo: Premium Stereo 80 watt, 6 disc CD changer, 6 speakers, SRS auto audio enhancement