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NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and other fluid levels should be checked daily, weekly or at fuel stops.
Driving in foreign countries
When planning to use your vehicle in another country: D Confirm the availability of the correct fuel. (Refer to Fuel Requirement section in this chapter.) D Comply with all regulations and requirements of each country.
Periodic inspections
To keep your vehicle in the best condition at all times, always have the recommended maintenance services listed in the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet” performed at the specified time or mileage intervals.
Ignition switch
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while the vehicle is be- ing driven or towed because that will lock the steering wheel, pre- venting steering control. And when the engine is turned off, it takes a much greater effort than usual to steer.
The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
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Starting and operating
HS0122
B LOCK The key can only be inserted or removed in this position. The ignition switch will lock the steering wheel when you remove the key. If turning the key is difficult, turn the steering wheel slightly to the right and left as you turn the key.
n Automatic transmission vehicles:
HS0123
HS0124
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only when the selector lever is in the “P” position.
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n Manual transmission vehicles:
HS0125
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only when the key is pushed in while turning it.
B ACC In this position the electrical accessories (radio, accessory power socket, etc.) can be used.
B ON This is the normal operating position after the engine is started.
B START
CAUTION
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “START” position while the engine is running.
The engine is started in this position. The starter cranks the engine to start it. When the key is released (after the engine has started), the key automatically returns to the “ON” position.
J Key reminder chime The reminder chime sounds when the driver’s door opens and the key is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” positions. The chime stops when the key is re- moved from the ignition switch.
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Starting and operating
J Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) If the key can not be turned to the “LOCK” position even when the selec- tor lever is in the “P” position:
Release lever
HS0126
Vehicle front
HS0127
1. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag. 2. Remove three screws securing the undercover of the steering col- umn. 3. Remove the under cover of the steering column. 4. Turn the ignition key while pressing the key interlock release lever.
Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer immediately to have the key interlock system repaired.
Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor continuously for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to start after operating the starter for five to ten seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before trying again.
B Manual transmission vehicles 1. Apply the parking brake. 2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories. 3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift lever into neu-
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tral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the engine. The starter motor will only operate when the clutch pedal is pressed fully to the floor. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and check the opera- tion of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to “Warning and indica- tor lights” section (Chapter 3). 5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START” position again while depressing the accelerator pedal half way down. 6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injection system automatically lowers the idle speed as the engine warms up.
B Automatic transmission vehicles
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift the se- lector lever into the “N” position. Do not attempt to place the se- lector lever of a moving vehicle into the “P” position.
1. Apply the parking brake. 2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories. 3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position (preferably “P” position). The starter will only operate when the select lever is at the “P” or “N” position. 4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and check the opera- tion of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to “Warning and indica- tor lights” section (Chapter 3). 5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without depress- ing the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the en- gine has started.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Starting and operating
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START” position again while depressing the accelerator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have gone out after the engine has started. The fuel injection system automatically lowers the idle speed as the engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that the parking brake is applied. B During cold weather below –4°F (–20°C) If the engine is difficult to start using the normal method (without de- pressing the accelerator pedal), turn the ignition switch to the “START” position while slightly depressing the accelerator pedal.
B Flooded engine If the engine does not start, it may be flooded (excessive fuel in the engine). In case of a flooded engine, turn the starter motor for five seconds with the accelerator pedal fully depressed. Repeat this two or three times until the engine starts. Release the ignition switch and accelera- tor pedal as soon as the engine starts.
Stopping the engine
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is moving. This will cause loss of power to the power steering and the brake booster, making steering and braking more difficult. It could also result in accidental activation of the “LOCK” position on the ignition switch, causing the steering wheel to lock.
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the engine is idling.
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Manual transmission
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the clutch disengaged (i.e., when the clutch pedal is depressed) or with the shift lever in the neutral position. Engine braking has no effect in either of these condi- tions and the risk of an accident is consequently increased.
CAUTION
Shift into reverse ONLY when the vehicle has completely stopped. It may cause damage to the transmission to try shifting into reverse when the vehicle is moving.
The manual transmission is a fully synchromeshed 5-forward and 1-re- verse speed transmission.
HS0128
The shift pattern is shown on the shift lever knob. When shifting from 5th gear to reverse gear, first return the shift lever to the neutral position then shift into reverse gear. To change gears, fully depress the clutch pedal, move the shift lever, and gradually let up on the clutch pedal. If it is difficult to shift into gear, put the transmission in neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and then try again.
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Starting and operating
B Shifting speed n Recommended shifting speeds The best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle perfor- mance during normal driving is ensured by shifting up at the speeds listed in the following table.
Shift up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd
3rd to 4th
4th to 5th
mph (km/h)
15 (24)
25 (40)
40 (65)
45 (73)
n Maximum allowable speeds
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travel- ling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear which is about to be selected. Failure to observe this pre- caution can lead to engine over-revving and this in turn can result in engine damage. In addition, sudden application of engine brakes when the vehicle is travelling on a slippery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident increased.
The following table shows the maximum speeds that are possible with each different gear. The tachometer’s needle will enter the red area if these speeds are exceeded.
With the exception of cases where sudden acceleration is required, the vehicle should not be driven with the tachometer’s needle inside the red area. Failure to observe this precaution can lead to excessive engine wear and poor fuel economy.
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Vehicle type
Gear
1st
2nd
3rd
Base, L
31 (50)
52 (84)
76 (122)
mph (km/h)
31 (50)
52 (83)
75 (121)
B Driving tips Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill on an upgrade. Either of those actions may cause clutch damage.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the shift lever. This may cause wear on the transmission components.
When it is necessary to reduce vehicle speed due to slow traffic, turn- ing corners, or driving up steep hills, downshift to a lower gear before the engine starts to labor.
On steep downgrades, downshift the transmission to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life. In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Remember, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while descending a hill, they may over- heat and not work properly.
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Automatic transmission
Starting and operating
WARNING
Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause the vehicle to jump forward or backward.
CAUTION
D Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is com- pletely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause damage to the transmission. D Do not race the engine for more than five seconds in any posi- tion except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is set or the tires are on blocks. This may cause the automatic transmission fluid to overheat. D Avoid shifting from one of the forward driving positions into the “R” position or vice versa until the vehicle has completely stopped. Such shifting may cause damage to the transmission.
The automatic transmission is electronically controlled with 4-forward speeds and 1-reverse speed.
NOTE Immediately after a disconnected battery is reconnected or ATF (au- tomatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the auto- matic transmission operation is somewhat unusual. This results from erasure or invalidation of data which the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmis- sion to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condition of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle continues to be driven for a while.
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J Selector lever
Release button
With the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the button in
Shift while pressing the button in
Shift without pressing the button
HS0129
OM-H0149
The selector lever has seven positions. The release button must be pushed to select the “P”, “R”, or “2” posi- tions.
B P (Park) This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. In this position, the transmission is mechanically locked to prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.
When you park the vehicle, first set the parking brake fully, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmis- sion.
A shift interlock function is employed in the automatic transmission system to ensure safe starting of the vehicle.
To shift the selector lever from the “P” to the any other position, you have to depress the brake pedal fully then push the release button on the selector lever when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started.
If the shift lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake pedal depressed and the release button pushed in, refer to the “Shift lock release” section in this chapter.
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Starting and operating
B R (Reverse) This position is for backing the vehicle.
To shift from the “N” to “R” position, first stop the vehicle completely then move the lever to the “R” position while pushing the release but- ton.
B N (Neutral)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the selector lever in the “N” (neutral) position. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the risk of an accident is consequently increased.
This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position the wheels and transmission are not locked. In this position, the transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is on. Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral. During coasting, the engine braking does not act.
B D (Drive) This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to 4th according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler- ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift to 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
n While climbing a grade When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is prevented from taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerat- ing again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting result- ing in a smoother operation of the vehicle.
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NOTE The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicle again.
n While going down a hill When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause the transmission to downshift to 3rd gear, thus applying engine brake- ing. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to up- shift normally.
NOTE In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade does not result in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This can happen when the automatic transmission fluid temperature is very low, for example, during driving shortly after the vehicle has been parked for an extended period of time. When the ATF tem- perature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normal- ly takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for engine braking as required. Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at speeds above approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
B 3 (Third) This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for climbing a grade. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to 3rd according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler- ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
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Starting and operating
B 2 (Second) To shift from the “3” to “2” position, push the release button.
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for climbing a steep grade.
In this position, the transmission holds in the 2nd gear. Use this position when starting off from a standstill on slippery road surfaces such as mud or snow. It will ensure greater traction.
B 1 (First) This position is for driving up or down very steep grades, or driving through mud or sand, or on slippery surfaces. In this position, the transmission holds in the 1st gear.
B Maximum speeds
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travel- ling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear which is about to be selected. Failure to observe this pre- caution can lead to engine over-revving and this in turn can result in engine damage. In addition, sudden application of engine brakes when the vehicle is travelling on a slippery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident increased.
The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with each different gear. The tachometer’s (if so equipped) needle will enter the red area if these speeds are exceeded.
When shifting down a gear, it is important to confirm that the current vehicle speed is not in excess of the Maximum Allowable Speed of the gear which is about to be selected. Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speeds will result in over-revving of the engine. In addition a powerful engine brake will engage and control of the vehicle may be lost.
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Vehicle type
Position
34 (54)
63 (101)
102 (164)
mph (km/h)
34 (54)
62 (100)
101 (162)
NOTE D In order to prevent over-revving during acceleration of the vehicle, the transmission will automatically shift to the next high- est gear if the Maximum Allowable Speed for the current gear is exceeded. D Similarly, in order to prevent over-revving during deceleration of the vehicle, the transmission will remain in the current gear if the speed of the vehicle is in excess of the Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear to which the selector lever has been moved.
B Driving tips D Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1”, or “R” position. D Always set the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmission. D Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on an uphill grade by using the “D”, “3”, “2” or “1” position. Use the brake instead.
J Shift lock release If the selector lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake pedal depressed and the release button pushed in and the ignition switch in the “ON” position, perform the following steps: To override the shift lock: 1. Set the parking brake and stop the engine.
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Starting and operating
HS0130
HS0131
2. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag. 3. Open the center console and remove two screws securing the park- ing brake lever cover. 4. Remove the parking brake lever cover by pulling up on the cover’s rear end. 5. Raise the rear end of the selector lever cover.
Shaft portion of the screwdriver
HS0132
6. Draw the shaft portion of the screwdriver from the grip and then insert the shaft into the hole. 7. Push down on the shaft while pushing the release button and move the selector lever from the “P” to the “N” position. 8. Remove the shaft from the hole. Depress the brake pedal and start the engine.
Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer immediately to have the system repaired.
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Rear viscous limited slip differential (for S models)
CAUTION
D Never start the engine while a tire on one side is jacked up, as the vehicle may move. D If one rear tire is spinning in mud, avoid continued spinning at high speed as this could adversely affect the LSD. D If a different size rear tire is temporarily used (as in an emer- gency), it will adversely affect the LSD. Always replace it with a regular size tire as soon as possible.
The LSD provides optimum distribution of power according to the differ- ence in revolutions between the right and left rear wheels that may be caused by certain driving conditions, thereby improving driving stability on snow-covered, muddy or other slippery roads.
Steering.
J Tilt steering wheel
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel tilt position while driving. This may cause loss of vehicle control and result in personal injury.
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B Tilt adjustment
Starting and operating
HS0134
1. Adjust the seat position. Refer to “Front seat” section (chapter 2). 2. Pull the tilt lock lever down. 3. Move the steering wheel to the desired level. 4. Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. 5. Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked by moving it up and down.
J Power steering
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully locked position left or right for more than five seconds. This may damage the power steering pump.
The power steering system operates only when the engine is running. If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it will take much more effort.
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Cruise control (if equipped)
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under any of the following condi- tions. This may cause loss of vehicle control:
D driving up or down a steep grade D driving on slippery or winding roads D driving in heavy traffic
Cruise control enables you to maintain a constant vehicle speed without holding your foot on the accelerator pedal and it is operative when the vehicle speed is 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. Make sure the main switch is turned “OFF” when the cruise control is not in use to avoid unintentionally setting the cruise control.
B To set cruise control
Cruise control lever
HB3002BB
HG0312
1. Push the “CRUISE” main switch. 2. Depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle reaches to the de- sired speed. 3. Push the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST” direction and release it. Then release the accelerator pedal. The vehicle will maintain the desired speed.
Vehicle speed can be temporarily increased while driving with the cruise control activated. Simply depress the accelerator pedal to ac-
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Starting and operating
celerate the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is released, the ve- hicle will return to and maintain the previous cruising speed.
B To temporarily cancel the cruise control There are four ways to cancel the cruise control temporarily:
D Depress the brake pedal. D Pull the control lever in the “CANCEL” direction. D Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission vehicles only). D Shift the selector lever into the “N” position (automatic transmis- sion vehicles only).
If the vehicle speed drops 9 mph (15 km/h) below the preset speed, the preset speed will automatically cancelled.
To resume the cruise control after it has been temporarily canceled and with vehicle speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, push the control lever upward in the “ACCEL, RESUME” direction to return to the origi- nal cruising speed automatically.
B To turn off the cruise control There are two ways to turn off the cruise control: D Push the main switch again. D Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position (but only when the vehicle is completely stopped).
B To change the cruising speed
n To increase the speed 1. Push the control lever upward in the “ACCEL, RESUME” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed.
The control lever can be used for increasing the cruising speed slight- ly. Pressing the control lever upward in the “ACCEL, RESUME” direc- tion increases the vehicle speed about 2 mph (3.2 km/h). Press the control lever repeatedly until the desired speed is reached.
OR
1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle to the de- sired speed. 2. Push the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST” direction
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once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accelerator pedal.
n To decrease the speed 1. Push the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. The control lever can be used for decreasing the cruising speed slightly. Pressing the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST” direction decreases the vehicle speed about 2 mph (3.2 km/h). Press the control lever repeatedly until the desired speed is reached.
OR
1. Depress the brake pedal to release cruise control temporarily. 2. When the speed decreases to the desired speed, press the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accelerator pedal.
Parking your vehicle
WARNING
D Never leave unattended children or pets in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadver- tent operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, the tem- perature in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to them. D Do not park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags, as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust system parts. D Always stop the engine if you take a nap in the vehicle. If en- gine exhaust gas enters the passenger compartment, occupants in the vehicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) contained in the exhaust gas.
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Starting and operating
CAUTION
Never drive while the parking brake is set because this will cause unnecessary wear on the brake linings. Before starting to drive, always make sure that the parking brake has been fully released.
To set the parking brake, press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down while fully pulling up the parking brake lever.
Release button
HS0137
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release button, then lower the lever while keeping the button pressed.
When the parking brake is set while the engine is running, the parking brake warning light comes on. After starting the vehicle, be sure that the warning light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section (Chapter 3).
When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a down- grade for manual transmission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) position for automatic transmission vehicles.
Always set the parking brake firmly when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle. For better parking brake power, depress the brake pedal firmly while set- ting the parking brake (Drum brake only).
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HS0139
HS0140
When parking on a hill, always turn the steering wheel. When the vehicle is headed up the hill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb. When facing downhill, the front wheels should be turned into the curb.
Braking
J Braking tips
WARNING
Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This can cause dangerous overheating of the brakes and needless wear on the brake pads and linings.
B When the brakes get wet When driving in rain, in puddle or after washing the vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a result, brake stopping distance will be long- er. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly depressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes.
B Use of engine braking Remember to make use of engine braking in addition to foot braking. When descending a grade, if only the foot brake is used, the brakes may start working improperly because of brake fluid overheating, caused by overheated brake pads. To help prevent this, shift into a
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Starting and operating
lower gear.
B Braking when a tire is punctured Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly when a tire is punctured. This could cause a loss of control of the vehicle. Keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place.
J Brake system
B Two separate circuits Your vehicle has two separate circuit brake systems. Each circuit works diagonally across the vehicle. If one circuit of the brake system should fail, the other half of the system still works. If one circuit fails, the brake pedal will goes down much closer to the floor than usual and you will need to press it down much harder. And a much longer distance will be needed to stop the vehicle.
B Brake booster The brake booster uses engine manifold vacuum to assist braking force. Do not turn off the engine while driving because that will turn off the brake booster, resulting in poor braking power. The brakes will continue to work even when the brake booster com- pletely stops functioning. If this happens, however, you will have to push the pedal much harder than normal and the braking distance will increase.
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J Disc brake pad wear warning indicators
OM-H0163
The disc brake pad wear warning indicators on the disc brakes give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn. If a squeaking or scraping noise is heard from the disc brakes while braking, immediately have your vehicle checked by your SUBARU deal- er.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) (if equipped)
WARNING
Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with an ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.
CAUTION
D The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance. You should always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. D When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy roads, or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be long- er for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driv- ing under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and
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Starting and operating
leave ample distance from other vehicles. D When you feel the ABS system operating, you should maintain constant brake pedal pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing so may defeat the operation of the ABS system.
The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which may occur during sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This helps prevent the loss of steering control and directional stability caused by wheel lock-up. When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates. The ABS system will not operate when the vehicle speed is below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
B ABS system self-checking You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the operating sound of ABS from the engine compartment just after the vehicle is started. This is caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS sys- tem being carried out and does not indicate any abnormal condition.
B ABS warning light
HS0156
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after about two seconds. This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.
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If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS system may not be working properly.
D The warning light does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. D The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, but it does not go out even when the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 8mph (12km/h). D The warning light comes on during driving.
When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; however, the conventional brake system continues to operate normally. If this occurs, have the ABS system repaired at the first available opportuni- ty by your SUBARU dealer.
NOTE If the warning light behavior is as described below, the ABS sys- tem may be considered normal. D The warning light comes on right after the engine is started but goes out immediately, remaining off. D The warning light remains on after the engine has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches about 8
mph (12 km/h). D The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out immediately and remains off.When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the en- gine is jump started, the ABS warning light may come on. This is due to the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out.
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Driving tips for AWD vehicles
Starting and operating
WARNING
D Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden braking or under other similar condi- tions. D Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence be- cause you are driving an all wheel drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.
HS0113
All wheel drive distributes the engine power to all four wheels. AWD vehicles provide better traction when driving on slippery, wet or snow- covered roads and when moving out of mud, dirt and sand. By shifting power between the front and rear wheels, SUBARU AWD can also pro- vide added traction during acceleration and added engine braking force during deceleration.
Therefore, your SUBARU AWD vehicle may handle differently than an ordinary two wheel drive vehicle and it contains some features unique to AWD. For safety purposes as well as to avoid damaging the AWD sys- tem, you should keep the following tips in mind:
D An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle. There is little differ-
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ence in handling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sudden brak- ing. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. D When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, circum- ference, construction, brand, and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other sizes, circumference or construction may re- sult in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking, speedometer/odometer calibration, and clearance between the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. D Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive. The rec- ommended tire pressure is provided on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver’s side. D Tire chains should always be placed on the front wheels only. D There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your vehicle. For detail information, see the “Towing” section in chapter 8.
Off road driving
WARNING
D Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden braking or under other similar condi- tions. D Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving an all wheel drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.
Because of the AWD feature and higher ground clearance, your Subaru can be driven on ordinary roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that an AWD Subaru is a passenger car and is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do take your Subaru off-road, cer- tain common sense precautions such as the following should be taken:
D Make certain that you and all of your passengers are wearing seat
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Starting and operating
belts. D Carry some emergency equipment, such as a towing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit and portable phone or citizens band radio. D Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain. D Slow down and employ extra caution at all times. When driving off- road, you will not have the benefit of marked traffic lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and the like. D Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead, drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. A vehicle can much more easily tip over side- ways than it can end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes that are too steep. D Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, especially at higher speeds. D Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fin- gers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. D If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of the water and the bottom of the stream bed for firm- ness and ensure that the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly and com- pletely through the stream. The water should be shallow enough that it does not reach the vehicle’s undercarriage. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. Never attempt to drive through rushing water; regardless of its depth, it can wash away the ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and even vehicle rollover. D Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud or water. Do this by driving slowly and stepping on the brake pedal. Repeat that process several times to dry out the brake discs and brake pads. D Do not drive or park over or near flammable materials such as dry grass or fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The exhaust system is very hot while engine is running and right after the engine stops. This could create a fire hazard. D After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check
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that there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stones, sand, etc. adhering to or trapped on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the under- body. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a mechanical breakdown or fire could occur. D Secure all cargo carried inside the vehicle and make certain that it is not piled higher than the seatbacks. During sudden stops or jolts, unse- cured cargo could be thrown around in the vehicle and cause injury. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. Those loads raise the vehicle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. D If you must rock the vehicle to free it from sand or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move the selector lever back and forth be- tween “D” and “R” repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the best pos- sible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when trying to free the vehicle. When the road surface is extremely slippery, you can obtain better trac- tion by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT). D Never equip your vehicle with tires larger than those specified in this manual. D Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle under hard-driving conditions such as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that specified in the main- tenance schedule described in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
Remember that damage done to your Subaru while operating it off-road and not using common sense precautions such as those listed above is not eligible for warranty coverage.
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Winter driving
Starting and operating
HS0141
B Operation during cold weather Carry some emergency equipment, such as tire chains, a window scraper, a bag of sand, flares, a small shovel, and jumper cables.
Check the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce battery ca- pacity. The battery must be in good condition to provide enough pow- er for cold winter starts.
Use an engine oil of proper grade and viscosity for cold weather. Heavy summer oil will cause harder starting.
Keep the door locks from freezing by squirting them with deicer or glycerin.
Forcing a frozen door open may damage or separate the rubber weather strips around the door. If the door is frozen, use hot water to melt the ice, and afterwards thoroughly wipe the water away.
Use a windshield washer fluid that contains an antifreeze solution. Do not use engine antifreeze or other substitutes because they may dam- age the paint of the vehicle.
n Before driving your vehicle Before entering the vehicle, remove any snow or ice from your shoes because that could make the pedals slippery and dangerous.
While warming up the vehicle before driving, check that the accelera-
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tor pedal, brake pedal, and all other controls operate smoothly. Clear away ice and snow that has accumulated under the fenders to avoid making steering difficult. During severe winter driving, stop when and where it is safe to do so and check under the fenders peri- odically. n During cold weather below –4°F (–20°C) If the engine is difficult to start using the normal method (without de- pressing the accelerator pedal), turn the ignition switch to the “START” position while slightly depressing the accelerator pedal.
n Parking in cold weather
WARNING
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle if you park the vehicle in snow with the engine running.
Do not use the parking brake when parking for long periods in cold weather since it could freeze in that position. Instead, observe the fol- lowing: 1. Place the shift lever in “1” or “R” for manual transmission vehicles, and in “P” for automatic transmission vehicles. 2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent the vehicle from moving. When the vehicle is parked in snow or when it snows, raise the wiper blades off the glass to prevent damage to them. When the vehicle has been left parked after use on roads heavily cov- ered with snow, or has been left parked during a snowstorm, icing may develop on the brake system, which could cause poor braking action. Check for snow or ice buildup on the suspension, disc brakes and brake hoses underneath the vehicle. If there is caked snow or ice, remove it, being careful not to damage the disc brakes and brake hoses and ABS harness.
n Refueling in cold weather To help prevent moisture from forming in the fuel system and the risk of its freezing, use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel tank is recom-
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Starting and operating
mended during cold weather. Use only additives that are specifically designed for this purpose. When an antifreeze additive is used, its effect lasts longer if the tank is refilled whenever the fuel level reaches half empty. If your SUBARU is not going to be used for an extended period, it is best to have the fuel tank filled to capacity.
B Driving on snowy and icy roads
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control on slippery roads such as snowy or icy roads. This may cause loss of vehicle control.
To prevent skidding and slipping, avoid sudden braking, abrupt accel- eration, high-speed driving, and sharp turning when driving on snowy or icy roads. Always maintain ample distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid the need for sudden braking. To supplement the foot brake, use the engine brake effectively to con- trol the vehicle speed. (Shift into a lower gear when necessary.) Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such behavior can cause the wheel to lock, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control. Avoid locking the front wheels because that can lead to a loss of steering control. When braking with a vehicle not equipped with an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), press the brake pedal repeatedly at short intervals to prevent the wheels from locking. Then apply the brakes softly to bring the vehicle to a stop. An ABS enhances your vehicle’s braking performance on snowy and icy roads. Refer to the “ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)” in this chapter for information on braking on slippery surfaces in ABS equipped vehicle.
n Wiper operation when snowing Before driving in cold weather, make sure the wiper blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window. If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield or rear window, use the defroster with the airflow control dial in the “ ” position and the temperature control lever
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turned fully to the right until the wiper blades are completely thawed out. To thaw out the rear wiper blade, use the rear window defogger. When driving in snow, if frozen snow starts to stick on the surface of the windshield despite wiper operation, use the defroster with the air- flow control dial in “ ” and the temperature control dial turned fully to the right. After the windshield gets warmed enough to melt the fro- zen snow on it, wash it away using the windshield washer.
Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the wiper from working effec- tively. If snow is stuck on the wiper arm, pull off the road to a safe place, then remove it. If you stop the car at road side, use the hazard warning flasher to alert other drivers.
We recommend use of non-freezing type wiper blades during the sea- sons you could have snow and sub-zero temperature.
J Snow tires
WARNING
D When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, circumference, construction, brand, and load range as the origi- nal tires listed on the tire placard. Using other sizes, circumfer- ence or construction may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, brak- ing, speedometer/odometer calibration, and clearance between the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. D Do not use a combination of radial, belted bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous handling characteristics and lead to an accident.
Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires” which are designed to provide an adequate measure of traction, handling and braking perfor- mance in year-round driving. In winter, it may be possible to enhance performance through use of tires designed specifically for winter driving conditions. If you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be sure to use the
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Starting and operating
correct tire size and type. All four tires should be of the same size, construction, circumference, brand and load range and you should nev- er mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may result in dangerous handling characteristics. Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of the type of tires on your vehicle.
J Tire chains Driving on snowy grades or icy roads may require the use of tire chains, in which case put the chains on the front wheels only. Use only SAE class S type chains that are of the correct size for your tires so as not to damage the vehicle body or suspension. When driving with tire chains, drive at speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h).
When a temporary spare tire is on a front wheel, replace the temporary spare tire with the rear tire on the same side of the vehicle, and then fit chains on the front tires.
Always use the utmost care when driving with tire chains — overconfi- dence because you are driving with tire chains could easily lead to a se- rious accident.
J Rocking the vehicle If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move the selector lever back and forth be- tween “D” and “R” repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the best possible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when trying to free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely slippery, you can obtain better trac- tion by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT).
Refer to the “Automatic transmission” section in this chapter for informa- tion on holding the transmission in 2nd position.
J Corrosion protection Refer to the “Corrosion protection” section (chapter 9).
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Loading your vehicle
WARNING
D Never allow passengers to ride on the folded rear seatback or in the cargo area. Doing so may result in serious injury. D Never stack luggage or other cargo higher than the top of the seatback because it could tumble forward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Keep luggage or cargo low, as close to the floor as possible. D When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it when- ever you can to prevent it from being thrown around inside the vehicle in sudden stop, sharp turn or accident. D Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. These loads raise the vehicle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. D Secure skis and other lengthy items properly to prevent them from shooting forward and causing serious injury during a sud- den stop. D Never exceed the maximum load limit. If you do, some parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle. D Do not place anything on the extended luggage cover. Such items could tumble forward in the event of a sudden stop or a collision. This could cause serious injury.
CAUTION
Do not carry spray cans, containers with flammable or corrosive liquids or any other dangerous items inside the vehicle.
NOTE For better fuel economy, do not carry unneeded cargo.
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J Vehicle capacity weight
Starting and operating
Tire information label
HS0250
HS0251
The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by weight, not by avail- able cargo space. The maximum load you can carry in your vehicle is shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label at- tached to the driver’s side door jamb. It includes the total weight of driver and all passengers and their belongings, any optional equipment such as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.
The tire information label also shows recommended tire inflation pressure under full loading and trailer towing conditions. Adjust tire inflation pres- sures according to the loading conditions. For the tire inflation pressures, refer to the “Tires and wheel” section in Chapter 10.
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J GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and
Gross Axle Weight Rating)
Certification plate
HS0143
The certification plate attached to the driver’s side door jamb shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of weight of the vehicle, fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any optional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore, the GVW changes depending on the situation. The GVWR equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle – including standard equipment, fluids, emergency tools and spare tire assembly) plus the vehicle capac- ity weight.
In addition, the total weight applied to each axle (GAW) must never ex- ceed the GAWR. The front and rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating luggage inside the vehicle. Even if the total weight of your luggage is lower than the vehicle capacity weight, either front or rear GAW may exceed the GAWR, depending on the distribution of the luggage.
If you carry heavy loads in the vehicle, you should confirm that GVW and front and rear GAWs are within the GVWR and GAWR by putting your vehicle on a vehicle scale, found at a commercial weighing station.
Do not use replacement tires with a lower load range than the originals because they may lower the GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement
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Starting and operating
tires with a higher load range than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Trailer towing
Your car is designed and intended to be used primarily as a passenger- carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional loads on your car’s en- gine, drivetrain, brakes, tires and suspension and has an adverse effect on fuel economy. If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety and satisfaction depend upon proper use of correct equipment and cautious operation of your ve- hicle. Seek the advice of your SUBARU dealer to assist you in purchas- ing a hitch and other necessary towing equipment appropriate for your vehicle. In addition, be sure to follow the instructions on correct installa- tion and use provided by the trailer and other towing equipment manufacturers. SUBARU assumes no responsibility for injuries or vehicle damage that result from trailer towing equipment, or from any errors or omissions in the instructions accompanying such equipment or for your failure to fol- low the proper instructions.
B Warranties and maintenance SUBARU warranties do not apply to vehicle damage or malfunction caused by trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to tow a trailer, more frequent maintenance will be required due to the additional load. (Refer to “Maintenance schedule under severe driving conditions” in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet.) Under no circumstances should a trailer be towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new powertrain component (engine, transmis- sion, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600
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B Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load limits explained below. Exceed- ing the maximum load limits could cause personal injury and/or vehicle damage.
CAUTION
D Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight. D Before towing a trailer, check the trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load. Make sure the load and its distribution in your vehicle and trailer are acceptable.
n Total trailer weight The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load) must never exceed the maximum weight shown below.
Model
Conditions
MT models When towing a trailer without brakes.
When towing a trailer with brakes.
AT models When towing a trailer without brakes.
When towing a trailer with brakes. When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8
km) with an outside temperature of 104°F (40°C) or above.Maximum total trailer weight
1,000 lbs (453 kg) 2,000 lbs (906 kg) 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 2,000 lbs (906 kg) 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
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Total trailer weight
Starting and operating
OM-H2781
n Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the combined total of the weight of the vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional equipment installed on your vehicle. Therefore, the GVW changes depending on the situation. Determine the GVW each time before going on a trip by putting your vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale. GVWR is shown on the certification plate located on the driver’s door jamb of your vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Certification plate
HS0142
HS0143
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n Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR)
The total weight applied to each axle (GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating passengers and luggage inside the vehicle. The front and rear GAWR are also shown on the certification plate.
Gross Axle Weight
Certification plate
HS0144
HS0143
To check both GVWR and GAWR and to confirm that the total weight and weight distribution are within safe driving limits, you should have your vehicle and trailer weighed at a commercial weighing station. Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.
n Tongue load
WARNING
If the trailer is loaded with more weight in the back of trailer’s axle than in the front, the load is taken off the rear axle of the tow- ing vehicle. This may cause the rear wheels to skid, especially during braking or when vehicle speed is reduced during corner- ing, resulting in over-steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from 8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight and does not exceed the maximum value of 200 lbs (90
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Starting and operating
The tongue load can be weighed with a bathroom scale as shown in the illustration below. When weighing the tongue load, be sure to posi- tion the towing coupler at the height at which it would be during actual towing, using a jack as shown.
Tongue load
Bathroom scale
Jack
OM-H2785
HS0145
The tongue load can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer. Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front; approximately 60 percent of the trailer load should be in the front and approximately 40 percent in the rear. Also, distribute the load as evenly as possible on both the left and right sides. Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.
OM-H2787
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B Trailer hitches
WARNING
Never drill the frame or under-body of your vehicle to install a commercial trailer hitch. If you do, dangerous exhaust gas, water or mud may enter the passenger compartment through the drilled hole. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. Also, drilling the frame or under-body of your vehicle could cause dete- rioration of strength of your vehicle and cause corrosion around the drilled hole.
CAUTION
D Do not modify the vehicle exhaust system, brake system, or other systems when installing a hitch or other trailer towing equipment. D Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and trailer. The use of a genuine SUBARU trailer hitch is recommended. A genu- ine SUBARU hitch is available from your SUBARU dealer. If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoidable, be sure the hitch is suited to your vehicle and trailer. Consult with a professional hitch supplier to assist you in choosing an appropriate hitch for your vehicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use. Never use a hitch that mounts only to the rear bumper. The bumper is not designed to handle that type of load. For all types of hitches, regularly check that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are tight.
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B Connecting a trailer n Trailer brakes
Starting and operating
WARNING
D Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight. D Do not directly connect your trailer’s hydraulic brake system to the hydraulic brake system in your vehicle. Direct connection would cause the vehicle’s brake performance to deteriorate and could lead to an accident.
If your trailer’s total weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg), the trailer is required to be equipped with its own brake system. Electric brakes or surge brakes are recom- mended, and must be installed properly. Check that your trailer’s brakes conform with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable regulations. Your SUBARU’s brake system is not designed to be tapped into the trailer’s hydraulic brake system. Please ask your SUBARU dealer and professional trailer supplier for more information about the trailer’s brake system.
n Trailer safety chain
WARNING
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer. Towing trailer without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling dam- age or hitch ball damage.
In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch ball should break or become disconnected, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard. For safety, always connect the towing vehicle and trailer with trailer safety chains. Pass the chains crossing each other under the trailer tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping onto the ground in case the trailer tongue should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow suffi-
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cient slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations into account; how- ever, be careful not to let them drag on the ground. For more information about the safety chain connection, refer to the instructions for your hitch and trailer.
n Side mirrors After hitching a trailer to your vehicle, check that the standard side mirrors provide a good rearward field of view without significant blind spots. If significant blind spots occur with the vehicle’s standard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that conform with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable regulations.
HS0146
n Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improper connection of trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your vehicle’s lighting system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehicle’s electrical system requires modifications to the vehicle’s lighting circuit to increase its capacity and accommodate wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights are connected properly, please consult your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper operation of the turn signals and the brake lights and parking lights each time you hitch up.
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Starting and operating
n Tires Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle are properly inflated to the pressure under towing conditions as shown in following table. These tire inflations are also shown on the tire placard located on the left center pillar of your vehicle. Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and proper inflation pressure should be in accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s specifications.
Front
Rear
29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kg/cm2)
41 psi (275 kPa, 2.8 kg/cm2)
B Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
D Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer in hilly country on hot days. D When towing a trailer, steering, stability, stopping distance and braking performance will be different from normal operation. For safety’s sake, you should employ extra caution when towing a trailer and you should never speed. You should also keep the fol- lowing tips in mind:
n Before starting out on a trip D Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-hitch mounting are in good condition. If any problems are apparent, do not tow the trailer. D Check that the vehicle sits horizontally with the trailer attached. If the vehicle is tipped sharply up at the front and down at the rear, check the total trailer weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then confirm that the load and its distribution are acceptable. D Check that the tire pressures are correct. D Check that the vehicle and trailer are connected properly. Confirm that
– the trailer tongue is connected properly to the hitch ball. – the trailer lights connector is connected properly and trailer’s brake lights illuminate when the vehicle’s brake pedal is pressed, and that the trailer’s turn signal lights flash when the vehicle’s turn
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signal lever is operated. – the safety chains are connected properly. – all cargo in the trailer is secured safety in position. – the side mirrors provide a good rearward field of view without a significant blind spot.
D Sufficient time should be taken to learn the “feel” of the vehicle/ trailer combination before starting out on a trip. In an area free of traf- fic, practice turning, stopping and backing up.
n Driving with a trailer D You should allow for considerably more stopping distance when towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may result in skid- ding or jackknifing and loss of control. D Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accelerations. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, always start out in first gear and release the clutch at moderate engine RPM. D Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and rapid lane changes. D Slow down before turning. Make a longer than normal turning radius because the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In a tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle. D Crosswinds will adversely affect the handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Crosswinds can be due to weather conditions or the passing of large trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and slow down immediately but gradually. D When passing other vehicles, considerable distance is required because of the added weight and length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle. D When backing up with a trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly. When turning back, grip the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand and turn it to the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right for a right turn.
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Starting and operating
OM-H2791
D If the ABS warning light illuminates while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing the trailer and have repairs performed immediately by the nearest SUBARU dealer.
n Driving on grades D Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift into low gear in order to utilize the engine braking effect and prevent overheating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not make sudden downshifts. D When driving uphill in hot weather, the air conditioner may turn off automatically to protect the engine from overheating. D When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to the water tem- perature gauge needle (for all vehicles) and ATF OIL TEMP warning light (for AT vehicles) since the engine and transmission are relatively prone to overheating under these conditions. If the water temperature gauge needle approaches the OVERHEAT zone or the ATF OIL TEMP warning light illuminates, immediately switch off the air conditioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to “Engine over- heat” section (chapter 8), and “Warning and indicator lights” section (chapter 3) in the owner’s manual. D If your vehicle has a automatic transmission, avoid using the accel- erator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to overheat. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmis- sion, avoid driving with the gear selector lever in “D” when towing a heavy trailer to prevent fluid overheating.
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n Parking on a grade Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You should not park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you should take the following steps: 1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down. 2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load. 4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the parking brake; slowly release the regular brakes. 5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmission) or “P” (auto- matic transmission) and shut off the engine.
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In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher Engine overheating Jump starting Flat tires
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Tire changing tools
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Towing
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Towing eyelets
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8-14FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Hazard warning flasher
HS0053
Day or night, if your vehicle becomes a traffic hazard, use the hazard warning flasher. Avoid stopping on the road. It is best to safely pull off the road if a problem occurs. The hazard warning flasher can be acti- vated regardless of the ignition switch position. Turn on the hazard warning by pushing the hazard warning flasher switch. Turn it off by pushing the switch again.
NOTE When the hazard warning flasher is on, the turn signals do not work.
Engine overheating
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has been shut off and has fully cooled down. When the engine is hot, the coolant is under pressure. Removing the cap while the engine is still hot could release a spray of boiling hot coolant, which could burn you very seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
In case of emergency
B If steam is coming from the engine compartment Turn the engine off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down.
B If no steam is coming from the engine compartment 1. Keep the engine running at idling speed. 2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine compartment. Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If the fan is not turning, im- mediately turn the engine off and contact your authorized dealer for repair. 3. After the engine coolant temperature has dropped, turn off the en- gine. If the temperature gauge stays at the overheated zone, turn the en- gine off. 4. After the engine has fully cooled down, check the coolant level in the reserve tank. If the coolant level is below the “MIN” mark, add coolant up to the “MAX” mark. 5. If there is no coolant in the reserve tank, add coolant to the reserve tank. Then remove the radiator cap and fill the radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap, then turn the cap counterclockwise slowly without pressing down until it stops. Release the pressure from the radiator. After the pressure has been fully released, remove the cap by pressing down and turning it.
Jump starting
WARNING
D Battery fluid is SULFURIC ACID. Do not let it come in contact with the eyes, skin, clothing or the vehicle. If battery fluid gets on you, thoroughly flush the exposed area with water immediately. Get medical help if the fluid has entered your eyes.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed, immediately drink a large amount of milk or water, and obtain immediate medical help. Keep everyone including children away from the battery. D The gas generated by a battery explodes if a flame or spark is brought near it. Do not smoke or light a match while jump start- ing. D Never attempt jump starting if the discharged battery is frozen. It could cause the battery to burst or explode. D Whenever working on or around a battery, always wear suit- able eye protectors, and remove metal objects such as rings, bands or other metal jewelry. D Be sure the jumper cables and clamps on them do not have loose or missing insulation. Do not jump start unless cables in suitable condition are avail- able. D A running engine can be dangerous. Keep your fingers, hands, clothing, hair and tools away from the cooling fan, belts and any other moving engine parts. Removing rings, watches and ties is advisable.
When your vehicle does not start due to a run down (discharged) bat- tery, the vehicle may be jump started by connecting your battery to another battery (called the booster battery) with jumper cables.
Jump starting is dangerous if it done incorrectly. If you are unsure about the proper procedure for jump starting, consult a competent mechanic.
B How to jump start 1. Make sure the booster battery is 12 volts and the negative terminal is grounded. 2. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, do not let the two ve- hicles touch. 3. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories. 4. Connect the jumper cables exactly in the sequence illustrated.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Engine lifting bracket
In case of emergency
Booster battery
HS0147
1 Connect one jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the discharged battery. 2 Connect the other end of the jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery. 3 Connect one end of the other cable to the negative (–) terminal of the booster battery. 4 Connect the other end of the cable to the engine lifting bracket. Make sure that the cables are not near any moving parts and that the cable clamps are not in contact with any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster battery and run it at moderate speed. Then start the engine of the vehicle that has the dis- charged battery. 6. When finished, carefully disconnect the cables in exactly the re- verse order.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Flat tires
WARNING
D Do not jack up the vehicle on an incline or a loose road sur- face. The jack can come out of the jacking point or sink into the ground and this can result in a severe accident. D Use only the jack provided with your vehicle. The jack sup- plied with the vehicle is designed only for changing a tire. Never get under the vehicle while supporting the vehicle with this jack. D Always turn the engine off before raising the flat tire off the ground using the jack. Never swing or push the vehicle sup- ported with the jack. The jack can come out of the jacking point due to a jolt and this can result in a severe accident. D Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or nuts when the spare tire is installed. This could cause the nuts to become loose and lead to an accident. D Never place a tire or tire changing tools in the passenger compartment after changing wheels. In a sudden stop or colli- sions, loose equipment could strike occupants and cause injury. Store the tire and all tools in the proper place.
If you have a flat tire while driving, never brake suddenly; keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place.
1. Park on a hard, level surface, whenever possible, then stop the engine. 2. Set the parking brake securely and shift a manual transmission ve- hicle in reverse or an automatic transmission vehicle in the “P” (Park) position. 3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher and have everyone get out of the vehicle.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
4. Put wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire.
In case of emergency
Jacking position
Wheel blocks
HS0148
5. Take out the spare tire, jack, and wheel nut wrench. See the “Tire changing tools” in this chapter. 6. Loosen the wheel nuts using the wheel nut wrench but do not remove the nuts.
HS0149
7. Place the jack under the side sill at the front or rear jack-up point clos- est to the flat tire. Turn the jackscrew by hand until the jack head engages firmly into the jack-up point.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
HS0150
8. Insert the jack handle into the jackscrew, and turn the handle clock- wise until the tire clears the ground. Do not raise the vehicle higher than necessary.
HS0151
9. Remove the wheel nuts and the flat tire. 10. Before putting the spare tire on, clean the mounting surface of the wheel and hub with a cloth.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
In case of emergency
OM-H0172
HG0104
11. Put on the spare tire. Replace the wheel nuts. Tighten them by hand. 12. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. 13. Use the wheel nut wrench to securely tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque, following the tightening order in the illustration.
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HS0152
The torque for tightening the nuts is 58 to 72 ft-lb (78 to 98 N-m, 8 to 10
kg-m). This torque is equivalent to applying about 88 to 110 lbs (40 to 50
kg) at the top of the wheel nut wrench. Never use your foot on the wheel nut wrench or a pipe extension on the wrench because you may exceed the specified torque. Have the wheel nut torque checked at the nearest automotive service facility. 14. Store the flat tire in the spare tire compartment.– CONTINUED –
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Flat tire
Attaching bolt
Spacer
HS0153
Also store the jack and wheel nut wrench in their storage locations. See “Tire changing tools” in this section.
J Tire changing tools
Jack
Jack handle
Spare tire
HS0004
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
B Spare tire
In case of emergency
HS0159
The spare tire is stored under the floor of the cargo area. To remove the spare tire, first open the spare tire cover and remove the storage tray, turn the attaching bolt counterclockwise, then take the spare tire out.
B Jack and jack handle
HS0118
HS0160
The jack is stored under the left side of the cargo floor.
To take out the jack: First raise the cargo anchorage eyelet on the rear-left side of the cargo area and pull the tab to open the lid, turn the jack screw coun- terclockwise to loosen it, then remove the jack. The jack handle is stored under the lid.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
Towing
If towing is necessary, it is best done by your SUBARU dealer or a com- mercial towing service. Observe the following procedures for safety.
B Transporting your vehicle using a flat-bed truck
HS0161
This is the best way to transport your vehicle. Use the following proce- dures to ensure safe transportation.
1. Shift the selector lever into the “P” position for automatic transmis- sion vehicles or “1st” for manual transmission vehicles. 2. Pull up the parking brake lever firmly. 3. Secure the vehicle onto the carrier properly with safety chains. Each safety chain should be equally tightened and care must be tak- en not to pull the chains so tightly that the suspension bottoms out.
B Towing with the front wheels raised off the ground
WARNING
Never tow AWD vehicles (both AT and MT) with the front wheels raised off the ground while the rear wheels are on the ground, or with the rear wheels raised off the ground while the front wheels are on the ground. This will cause the vehicle to spin away due to the operation or deterioration of the center differential.
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FORESTER U.S.A. (E)
In case of emergency
HS0374
B Towing with all wheels on the ground
WARNING
D Never turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position while the vehicle is being towed because the steering wheel and the direc- tion of the wheels will be locked. D Remember that the brake booster and power steering do not function when the engine is not running. Because the engine is
