2011 Subaru Forester

The 2011 Forester is Subaru's third generation of crossover SUV. Based on the Impreza platform, the Subaru Forester features a multi-link rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering and Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control.

The vehicle was assigned to an entry level technician. The first step in diagnosing a vehicle problem is to verify the complaint. The technician could have connected the scan tool and test drove with the scan tool communicating with the vehicle. The technician was able to retrieve a fault code P0102 for the mass airflow sensor. The technician requested a mass airflow sensor (MAF).

All Forester vehicles feature Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, and customers can choose the new-for-summer-2011 2.0-litre Boxer petrol engine - returning 37.7mpg (combined) and a low CO2 emission figure of 173g/km - or the new, even more frugal Boxer diesel engine (47.9mpg, combined) which also offers an impressive between-fills range of 625 miles (1,000km).

EQUIPMENT AND DESIGN
The diesel Subaru Forester offers outstanding equipment levels with even the base Forester 2.0D X featuring Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, self-levelling rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering, front, side and curtain airbags and 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels with 215 / 65 tyres.

The petrol Subaru Forester line-up starts with the entry-level Forester 2.0 X. It features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, self-levelling rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering, front, side and curtain airbags, four electric windows, 60 / 40-split rear seats with reclining back-rests, climate-control air-conditioning, radio / CD player, front fog lamps, vehicle information display, height and reach-adjustment steering wheel, heated front seats, mirrors and windscreen wipers plus cruise-control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Manual models feature a dual-range transmission.
Finally, the higher-spec Forester 2.0 XS petrol offers 17-inch alloy wheels; leather seats, steering wheel, gear-lever and handbrake; premium audio system featuring a built-in rear reversing camera and a large display screen for ease-of-use; HID headlamps; sun-roof, electrically powered driver's seat; electrically folding door mirrors; retractable rear seat tray with cup-holder; engine starter button and keyless 'smart' entry.

NEW BOXER DIESEL IN DETAIL
This configuration enhances handling agility and road holding - especially when combined with Subaru's renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Diesel Subaru Forester's top speed and 0-60mph figure are among the best in the compact SUV class. The latest Subaru Boxer petrol engine delivers improved environmental credentials compared to its predecessor, while also affording smooth acceleration. The new FB-A engine (found in the 2.0 X and XS Forester models) offers stronger low and mid-range pulling power, enhanced flexibility and improved fuel economy, as well as lower exhaust emissions.

Urban / extra urban / combined fuel consumption figures are now 29.1 / 44.8 / 37.7mpg for the Subaru Forester 2.0 X and XS automatic models, with an improved CO2 figure of 174g/km. The four-speed automatic achieves the 0-60mph dash in 12.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 115mph, while improved torque allows higher gearing for improved refinement and economy, with no sacrifice in engine response.

TRANSMISSION
The Forester diesel boasts a six-speed manual gearbox with optimised ratios for quiet, refined high-speed cruising and flexible low-speed manoeuvres.

SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE
All Forester models enjoy the benefits of Subaru's acclaimed full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, as well as Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, as standard.

The Subaru Forester's quick-thinking full-time Symmetrical AWD system splits power 50 / 50 per cent front / rear as its default setting. A sophisticated Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, low-friction, long-travel four-wheel independent suspension and low-centre-of-gravity Boxer engine, all contribute to the Subaru Forester's reputation for outstanding chassis dynamics.

A rear anti-roll bar is standard.

For the Boxer diesel Subaru Forester, the front damping has been firmed up together with the steering to sharpen handling and compensate for the 45kg increase in engine weight.
The Subaru Forester X models feature 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 R 16 tyres, while Forester XC, XS and XS NavPlus have 17 x 7.0-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R 17 tyres.
Unlike the previous model, the new Forester has ventilated front disc brakes.

Not only does the elimination of the previous Subaru Forester's front sub-frame reduce weight by 20kg, but the new structure better dissipates front impact forces.