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800218


Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive or park the vehicle anywhere near flammable materials (e.g. grass, paper, rags or leaves), because the catalytic converter operates at very high temperatures.


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8-4 Driving tips


Keep everyone and flammable materials away from the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas is very hot.


Periodic inspections


Driving in foreign countries


To keep your vehicle in the best condition at all times, always have the recommend- ed maintenance services listed in the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet” performed at the specified time or mileage intervals.


When planning to use your vehicle in an- other country:


Confirm the availability of the correct fu- el. (Refer to the “Fuel requirements” sec- tion in chapter 7.)


Comply with all regulations and require-


ments of each country.


Driving tips 8-5


on the driver’s side.


Tire chains should always be placed on


the front wheels only.


There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your vehicle. For detail information, see the “Towing” section in chapter 9.


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 conditions. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving an All-Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a seri- ous accident.


Driving tips for AWD vehicles


lowing tips in mind:


An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in handling, how- ever, during extremely sharp turns or sud- den braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an am- ple distance from other vehicles.


When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, construction, brand, and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other siz- es, 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 be- tween the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle con- trol.


If you use a temporary spare tire to re- place a flat tire, be sure to use the original temporary spare tire stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle.


Always check the cold tire pressure be- fore starting to drive. The recommended tire pressure is provided on the tire plac- ard, which is located under the door latch


800004
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 provide added traction during acceleration and added engine braking force during decel- eration. 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 system, you should keep the fol-


8-6 Driving tips Off road driving


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 conditions. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving an All-Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a seri- ous accident.


Do not drive on rough roads or over curbs in a vehicle that has 17-inch or other ultra-low-profile tires. The wheels and tires could be damaged by shock forces, leading to abnor- mal vibration or poor straight-line tracking. Driving would then be more difficult.


All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehi- cles with 17 inch tires


Your AWD vehicle is neither a convention- al off-road vehicle nor an all terrain vehi- cle. It is a passenger vehicle designed pri- marily for on-road use. The AWD feature gives it some limited off-road capabilities in situations in which driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and other- wise similar to on-road driving conditions. Operating it under other than those condi- tions could subject the vehicle to exces- sive stress which might result in damage not eligible for repair under warranty. If you do take your SUBARU off road, you should review the common sense precau- tions in the next section (applicable to the OUTBACK SPORT) for general guidance. But please keep in mind that your vehi- cle’s off-road capabilities are more limited than those of the OUTBACK SPORT. Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles, or roads flooded with water. Wa- ter entering the engine air intake or the ex- haust pipe or water splashing onto electri- cal parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall.


OUTBACK SPORT


Your Subaru can be driven on ordinary


roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that an AWD SUBARU is a passenger ve- hicle and is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do take your Subaru off-road, certain com- mon sense precautions such as the fol- lowing should be taken:


Make certain that you and all of your


passengers are wearing seatbelts.


Carry some emergency equipment, such as a towing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit and cell phone or citizens band radio.


Drive carefully. Do not take unneces- sary risks by driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain.


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.


Do not drive across steep slopes. In- stead, drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. A vehicle can much more easily tip over sideways than it can end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes that are too steep.


Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, espe-


cially at higher speeds.


Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive


Driving tips 8-7


frequent replacement of engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that speci- fied in the maintenance schedule de- scribed 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 war- ranty coverage.


Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off- road driving. Suspension components are particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they need to be washed thoroughly.


with your fingers and thumbs on the out- side of the rim.


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 firmness and ensure that the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly and completely through the stream. The water should be shallow enough that it does not reach the vehicle’s undercar- riage. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your ve- hicle and may cause it to stall. Never at- tempt to drive through rushing water; re- gardless of its depth, it can wash away the ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and even vehicle rollover.


Always check your brakes for effective- ness 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.


Do not drive or park over or near flam- mable materials such as dry grass or fall- en leaves, as they may burn easily. The exhaust system is very hot while the en- gine is running and right after the engine stops. This could create a fire hazard.


After driving through tall grass, mud,


rocks, sand, rivers, etc., check 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 underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a mechanical breakdown or fire could occur.


Secure all cargo carried inside the vehi- cle and make certain that it is not piled higher than the seatbacks. During sudden stops or jolts, unsecured cargo could be thrown around in the vehicle and cause in- jury. 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. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from sand or mud, depress the accelera- tor pedal slightly and move the selector le- ver back and forth between “D” and “R” re- peatedly. 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 slip- pery, you can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT).


Never equip your vehicle with tires larg-


er than those specified in this manual.


Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle un- der hard-driving conditions such as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more


8-8 Driving tips Winter driving


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Operation during cold weath- er


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 tem- peratures reduce battery capacity. The battery must be in good condition to pro- vide enough power for cold winter starts. Use an engine oil of proper grade and vis- cosity 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 con- tains an antifreeze solution. Do not use engine antifreeze or other substitutes be- cause they may damage the paint of the vehicle. SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid con- tains 58.5% methyl alcohol and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper- ature varies according to how much it is di- luted, as indicated in the following table.


Washer Fluid Concentration


30% 50% 100%


Freezing Temperature C) 10.4
C) –4
–49
C)


F (–12
F (–20
F (–45








In order to prevent freezing of washer flu- id, check the freezing temperatures in the table above when adjusting the fluid con- centration to the outside temperature. If you fill the reservoir tank with a fluid with a different concentration from the one used previously, purge the old fluid from


the piping between the reservoir tank and washer nozzles by operating the washer for a certain period of time. Otherwise, if the concentration of the fluid remaining in the piping is too low for the outside tem- perature, it may freeze and block the noz- zles.


Adjust the washer fluid concentra- tion appropriately for the outside temperature. If the concentration is inappropriate, sprayed washer fluid may freeze on the windshield and obstruct your view, and the fluid may freeze in the reservoir tank.


Before driving your vehicle


Before entering the vehicle, remove any snow or ice from your shoes because that could make the pedals slippery and dan- gerous. While warming up the vehicle before driv- ing, check that the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and all other controls operate smoothly. Clear away ice and snow that has accu- mulated under the fenders to avoid mak- ing steering difficult. During severe winter driving, stop when and where it is safe to


do so and check under the fenders period- ically.


Parking in cold weather


Do not use the parking brake when park- ing for long periods in cold weather since it could freeze in that position. Instead, ob- serve the following. 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 af- ter use on roads heavily covered 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 har- ness.


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.


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 recommended during cold weath- er. Use only additives that are specifically de- signed for this purpose. When an anti- freeze 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.


Driving on snowy and icy roads


To prevent skidding and slipping, avoid sudden braking, abrupt acceleration, high- speed driving, and sharp turning when driving on snowy or icy roads. Always maintain ample distance between


Driving tips 8-9


your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid the need for sudden braking. To supplement the foot brake, use the en- gine brake effectively to control the vehi- cle speed. (Shift into a lower gear when necessary.) Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such behav- ior can cause the wheels to lock, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control. An anti-lock brake system (ABS) enhanc- es your vehicle’s braking performance on snowy and icy roads. Refer to the “ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)” section in chap- ter 7 for information on braking on slippery surfaces. NOTE The following tires are summer tires. Compared with winter and all-season tires, summer tires give significantly less grip on snowy and icy road surfac- es. Avoid driving on snowy and icy road surface with summer tires.


225/45R17 tires for WRX-STI


Do not use the cruise control on slippery roads such as snowy or icy roads. This may cause loss of vehi- cle control.


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8-10 Driving tips


Avoid prolonged continuous driving in snowstorms. Snow will enter the engine’s intake system and may hinder the air flow, which could re- sult in engine shutdown or even breakdown.


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 dial set for maximum warmth until the wiper blades are com- pletely thawed out. If your vehicle is equipped with a wiper deicer, it is helpful to thaw the windshield wiper blades. 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 wind- shield despite wiper operation, use the de- froster with the airflow control dial in “ ” and the temperature control dial set for maximum warmth. After the wind- shield gets warmed enough to melt the frozen snow on it, wash it away using the


windshield washer. Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the wiper from working effectively. If snow is stuck on the wiper arm, pull off the road to a safe place, then remove it. If you stop the vehicle at road side, use the hazard warning flasher to alert other drivers. We recommend use of non-freezing type wiper blades (winter blades) during the seasons you could have snow and sub- zero temperatures. Blades of this type give superior wiping performance in snowy conditions. Be sure to use blades that are suitable for your vehicle.


During high-speed driving, non- freezing type wiper blades may not perform as well as standard wiper blades. If this happens, reduce the vehicle speed. NOTE When the season requiring non-freez- ing type wiper blades is over, replace them with standard wiper blades.


Corrosion protection


Refer to the “Corrosion protection” section (chapter 10).


Snow tires All models except WRX-STI


When replacing original tires with winter (snow) tires, make sure you use only the same size, construc- tion and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Us- ing other sizes and construction may affect speedometer/odome- ter calibration and clearance be- tween the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. You must install four winter tires that are of the same size, con- struction, brand, and load range. Mixing other sizes or construc- tions may result in severe me- chanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking and speed- ometer/odometer calibration. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control.


Do not use a combination of radi- al, belted bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous handling characteristics and lead to an ac- cident.


Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires” as original equipment, which are de- signed 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. When you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire size and type. You must install four winter tires that are of the same size, construc- tion, brand and load range and you should never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may result in dangerous han- dling characteristics. When you choose a tire, make sure that there is enough clear- ance between the tire and vehicle body. Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of the type of tires on your ve- hicle.


WRX-STI


When replacing original tires with winter (snow) tires, make sure you use only the same size, construc- tion and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Us- ing other sizes and construction may affect speedometer/odome- ter calibration and clearance be- tween the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. You must install four winter tires that are of the same size, con- struction, brand, and load range. Mixing other sizes or construc- tions may result in severe me- chanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking and speed- ometer/odometer calibration. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. Do not use a combination of radi- al, belted bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous handling characteristics and lead to an ac- cident.


Driving tips 8-11


Your vehicle is equipped with “summer tires” as original equipment, which are in- adequate for driving on slippery roads such as on snow-covered or icy roads. Compared with winter and all-season tires, summer tires give significantly less grip on snowy and icy road surfaces. Therefore, use of winter tires is strongly recommended when driving with such road conditions. When you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire size and type. You must install four winter tires that are of the same size, construc- tion, brand and load range and you should never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may result in dangerous han- dling characteristics. When you choose a tire, make sure that there is enough clear- ance between the tire and vehicle body. Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of the type of tires on your ve- hicle.


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 sus-


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8-12 Driving tips


pension. 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 — overconfidence be- cause you are driving with tire chains could easily lead to a serious accident.


Tire chains cannot be used on tires listed in the following because of lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle body.


225/45R17 tires for WRX-STI 215/45R17 tires for WRX Rocking the vehicle


If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the acceler- ator pedal slightly and move the selector lever back and forth between “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 slip- pery, you can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT). Refer to the “Automatic transmission” sec- tion in chapter 7 for information on holding the transmission in 2nd position.


Loading your vehicle


Never allow passengers to ride on a folded rear seatback, in the trunk or in the cargo area. Doing so may result in serious injury. Never stack luggage or other car- go higher than the top of the seat- back because it could tumble for- ward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or acci- dent. Keep luggage or cargo low, as close to the floor as possible.


100094


Do not place anything on the rear shelf behind the rear seatback (for sedan) or the extended luggage cover (for wagon). Such items could tumble forward in the event of a sudden stop or a collision. This could cause serious injury.


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.


When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can to prevent it from being thrown around inside the vehicle during sudden stops, sharp turns or in an accident. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. These loads raise the vehi- cle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. Secure lengthy items properly to prevent them from shooting for- ward and causing serious injury during a sudden stop. Never exceed the maximum load limit. If you do, some parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way your vehicle han- dles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.


Driving tips 8-13


Vehicle capacity weight


800260


B00164
The load capacity of your vehicle is deter- mined by weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum load you can carry in your vehicle is shown on the vehicle


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8-14 Driving tips


placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar. It includes the total weight of the driver and all passengers and their be- longings, any optional equipment such as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.


GVWR and GAWR (Gross Ve- hicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating)


800261
The certification plate attached to the driv- er’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, fu- el, driver, all passengers, luggage, any


optional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore, the GVW changes de- pending on the situation. The GVWR equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle – including standard equipment, fluids, emergency tools and spare tire as- sembly) plus the vehicle capacity weight. In addition, the total weight applied to each axle (GAW) must never exceed 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, ei- ther front or rear GAW may exceed the GAWR, depending on the distribution of the luggage. When possible, the load should be evenly distributed throughout the vehicle. 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 vehi- cle 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 tires with a high- er load range than the originals do not in- crease the GVWR and GAWR limitations.


Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped)


800262


1) Crossbar kit The roof rail is not designed to carry cargo by itself. Cargo can be carried after secur- ing the roof crossbar kit to the roof rail and installing the appropriate carrying attach- ment. When installing the roof crossbar kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When you carry cargo on the roof using the roof crossbar kit and a carrying attach- ment, never exceed the maximum load limit explained in the following. You should also be careful that your vehicle does not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and front and rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). See the “Loading


your vehicle” section in this chapter for in- formation on loading cargo into or onto your vehicle. The maximum load limit of the cargo, crossbars and carrying attach- ment must not exceed 100 lbs (45 kg). Place the heaviest load at the bottom, nearest the roof, and evenly distribute the cargo. Always properly secure all cargo.


For cargo carrying purposes, the roof rail must be used together with a roof crossbar kit and the appropriate carrying attachment. The roof rail must never be used alone to carry cargo. Otherwise, damage to the roof or paint or a dangerous road hazard due to loss of cargo could result. When using the roof crossbar kit, make sure that the total weight of the crossbars, carrying attach- ment and cargo does not exceed the maximum load limit. Overload- ing may cause damage to the ve- hicle and create a safety hazard. Installing carrying attachments on the crossbars


When installing any carrying attachment such as a bike carrier, ski carrier, kayak


carrier, cargo basket, etc. on the cross- bars, follow the manufacturer’s instruc- tions and make sure that the attachment is securely fixed to the crossbars. Use only attachments designed specifically for the crossbars. A set of the crossbars is de- signed to carry loads (cargo and attach- ment) of not more than 100 lbs (45 kg). Before operating the vehicle, make sure that the cargo is properly secured on the attachment. NOTE Remember that the vehicle’s center of gravity is altered with the weight of the load on the roof, thus affecting the driving characteristics. Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard cornering and abrupt stops. Crosswind effects will be increased.


Removal and installation of the crossbars


The crossbars can be removed when you do not use the roof to carry cargo.


To remove the crossbar


1. Loosen and remove the T-30 torx® head screw from the top of each crossbar end support. 2. Rotate the lower clamp on the bottom of each end support downward approxi- mately 90


Driving tips 8-15


3. Carefully raise the crossbar from roof rails.


To install the crossbar


Front crossbar: Front crossbar has 100 LBS. Load Label on left-hand side.


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8-16 Driving tips


F: Front of vehicle 1) T30 torx® head screw 2) Front arrow label 3) Front crossbar 4) 100LBS load label 5) Lower clamp 6) Roof rail end support 7) Joint line 8) Front arrow label a: 3 inches (76 mm) 1. Before placing the crossbar on the roof rails, make sure that the T-30 torx® head screw is removed from the top of each crossbar end support. 2. Rotate the lower clamp on the bottom of each end support downward approxi- mately 90
3. With the front direction arrow label on  the top right side of the crossbar pointing toward the front of the vehicle, carefully place the crossbar across the top of the vehicle so that the crossbar end supports rest on the top of the roof rails approxi- mately 3 inches (76 mm) rearward from the seam (joint) between the front roof rail support and the roof rail. 4. Rotate (raise) the lower clamp up to the bottom of the roof rail and loosely tighten the T-30 torx® head screw with the torx® wrench provided, through the top of the end support and into the threaded insert in the lower clamp on each end of the cross-


bar. NOTE It may be necessary to squeeze the lower clamp and the end support to- gether to compress the pads and gain a better alignment of the pieces while trying to start the screw. Use care not to crossthread the screw in the insert. 5. Adjust the alignment of the crossbar on the roof rails, and if available, use a T-30
torx® bit and torque wrench and tighten the T-30 torx® head screws to 30 to 35
lbf·in (3.4 to 4.0 N·m, 0.35 to 0.41 kgf·m) of torque (or tighten securely with the torx® wrench provided).


Rear crossbar:


800264


F: Front of vehicle 1) T30 torx® head screw 2) Front arrow label 3) Rear crossbar 4) Roof rail end support 5) Joint line


6) Front arrow label a: 0 inch (0 mm) Install the rear crossbar in the same man- ner as the front crossbar. NOTE The rear crossbar should be posi- tioned just in front of the rear seam (joint) between the rear roof rail sup- port and the roof rail.


Trailer hitch (if equipped)


The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated load. A maximum of 2,000 lbs (906 kg) gross trailer weight and a maxi- mum of 200 lbs (90 kg) gross tongue weight are permissible for the trailer hitch. When you tow a trailer, follow the instruc- tions in the section “Trailer towing” in this chapter.


Do not carry cargo on the roof when the crossbars are removed. Lug- gage on the roof will be thrown for- ward or backward in sudden stops or rapid accelerations, resulting in a dangerous road hazard. NOTE Before each use of the roof crossbar, make sure the four T-30 crossbar clamp screws have been checked, and retightened if necessary to 35 lbf·in (4.0
N·m, 0.41 kgf·m), as outlined in Step #5
above.


Never exceed the maximum weight specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident resulting in serious personal inju- ries. Permissible trailer weight changes depending on the situa- tion. Refer to the section “Trailer towing” in this chapter for possi- ble recommendations and limita- tions.


Driving tips 8-17


Trailer brakes are required when the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer has safety chains and that each chain will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. Towing trailers without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch ball damage. Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin for positive locking placement before towing a trailer. If the ball mount comes off the hitch receiver, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard. Use only the ball mount supplied with this hitch. Use the hitch only as a weight carrying hitch. Do not use with any type of weight dis- tributing hitch. Connecting a trailer


1. Remove the receiver cover from the hitch receiver tube. Then insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver tube.


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8-18 Driving tips


800265
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole on the hitch receiver tube so that the pin passes through the ball mount.


800266
3. Insert the safety pin securely into the hitch pin. 4. Pull the ball mount to make sure it does


not come off the hitch receiver.


800267


1) Hitch ball installation point 2) Hooks for safety chains 5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate for the ball mount and your trailer. The hitch ball must be securely installed on the ball mount. 6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball. 7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with safety chains that will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. The chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping onto the ground in case it should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations into ac- count; however, be careful not to let them drag on the ground.


800268


Do not connect safety chains to part of the vehicle other than the safety chain hooks.


Place the dust cap over the four-pin connector of the hitch wire harness to pro- tect against possible damage.


Occasionally lubricate terminals of the four-pin connector using terminal grease.


Driving tips 8-19


Trailer towing


Your vehicle is designed and intended to be used primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, brakes, tires and suspension and has an adverse effect on fuel economy. If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safe- ty and satisfaction depend upon proper use of correct equipment and cautious op- eration of your vehicle. Seek the advice of your SUBARU dealer to assist you in pur- chasing a hitch and other necessary tow- ing equipment appropriate for your vehi- cle. In addition, be sure to follow the in- structions on correct installation and use provided by the trailer and other towing equipment manufacturers. SUBARU assumes no responsibility for in- juries or vehicle damage that result from trailer towing equipment, or from any er- rors or omissions in the instructions ac- companying such equipment or for your failure to follow the proper instructions.


Warranties and maintenance SUBARU warranties do not apply to vehi- cle damage or malfunction caused by trail- er towing. If you use your vehicle to tow a trailer, more frequent maintenance will be


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800210


Hitch harness connector – Wagon 8. Connect the hitch wire harness’s black four-pin wire connector to the towing trail- er’s wire harness 9. Confirm proper function of the hitch wire harness by individually activating the brake, right turn signal, left turn signal, stop, and parking lights on the trailer. NOTE Always disconnect the trailer wire har- ness before launching or retrieving a watercraft.


When you do not tow a trailer Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube and insert the receiver cover onto the hitch receiver tube.


8-20 Driving tips


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 (en- gine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of driving.


Maximum load limits


Never exceed the maximum load limits explained in the following. Ex- ceeding the maximum load limits could cause personal injury and/or vehicle damage.


Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight.


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. Total trailer weight


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.


800211


Total trailer weight The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load) must never exceed the maximum weight shown in the following table.


When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade con- tinuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an out- side tempera- ture of 104
(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)


Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)


Driving tips 8-21


Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)


800261


Certification label GVWR is shown on the certification plate located on the driver’s side door jamb of your vehicle.


800269


Gross Axle Weight 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 vehi- cle. The front and rear GAWR are also shown on the certification plate.


800027


Gross Vehicle Weight The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the com- bined 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.


– CONTINUED –


8-22 Driving tips


Tongue load


800261


Certification label 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 sta- tion. Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.


800214


Tongue load 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 kg).


800270


1) Jack 2) Bathroom scale The tongue load can be weighed with a bathroom scale as shown in the following illustration. When weighing the tongue load, be sure to position the towing cou- pler at the height at which it would be dur- ing actual towing, using a jack as shown.


F


60%


40%


50% 50%


800216


F: Front of vehicle The tongue load can be adjusted by prop- er 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 even- ly 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.


Driving tips 8-23


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 towing vehicle. This may cause the rear wheels to skid, especially during braking or when vehicle speed is reduced dur- ing cornering, resulting in over- steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.


Trailer hitches


Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and trailer.


Never drill the frame or under-body of your vehicle to install a commer- cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger- ous 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 deterioration of strength of your ve- hicle and cause corrosion around the drilled hole.


Do not modify the vehicle exhaust system, brake system, or other systems when installing a hitch or other trailer towing equipment. Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. WAGON including OUTBACK SPORT


The use of a genuine SUBARU trailer hitch recommended. A genuine – CONTINUED –


is


8-24 Driving tips


SUBARU hitch is available from your SUBARU dealer. If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoid- able, be sure the hitch is suited to your ve- hicle and trailer. Consult with a profes- sional hitch supplier to assist you in choosing an appropriate hitch for your ve- hicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch man- ufacturer’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.


SEDAN


SUBARU does not offer accessory trailer hitches. Consult with a professional hitch supplier to assist you in choosing an ap- propriate hitch for your vehicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch manufacturer’s in- structions 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. Regularly check that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are tight.


Connecting a trailer Trailer brakes


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. Elec- tric 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 pro- fessional trailer supplier for more informa- tion about the trailer’s brake system.


Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight. Do not directly connect your trail- er’s hydraulic brake system to the hydraulic brake system in your vehicle. Direct connection would cause the vehicle’s brake perfor- mance to deteriorate and could lead to an accident.


Trailer safety chains


In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch ball should break or become disconnect- ed, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard. For safety, always connect the towing ve- hicle and trailer with trailer safety chains. Pass the chains crossing each other un- der the trailer tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping onto the ground in case the trailer tongue should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations into ac- count; however, 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.


Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer. Towing a trailer without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch ball damage.


Side mirrors


lights and parking lights each time you hitch up.


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.


Tires


Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle are properly inflated to the pressure spec- ified 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 ac- cordance with the trailer manufacturer’s specifications. In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire when towing a trailer, ask a commercial road service to repair the flat tire. If you carry a regular size spare tire in your vehicle or trailer as a precaution against getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare tire is firmly secured.


800026
After hitching a trailer to your vehicle, check that the standard side mirrors pro- vide 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 con- form with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable regulations.


Trailer lights


Connection of trailer lights to your vehi- cle’s electrical system requires modifica- tions to the vehicle’s lighting circuit to in- crease its capacity and accommodate wir- ing changes. To ensure the trailer lights are connected properly, please consult your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper operation of the turn signals, the brake


Driving tips 8-25


Never tow a trailer when the tempo- rary spare tire is used. The tempo- rary spare tire is not designed to sustain the towing load. Use of the temporary spare tire when towing can result in failure of the spare tire and/or less stability of the vehicle. Trailer towing tips


Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer in hilly coun- try on hot days. When towing a trailer, steering, stability, stopping distance and braking performance will be dif- ferent from normal operation. For safety’s sake, you should employ extra caution when towing a trail- er and you should never speed. You should also keep the follow- ing tips in mind: Before starting out on a trip Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to- hitch mounting are in good condition. If any problems are apparent, do not tow the


– CONTINUED –


8-26 Driving tips


trailer.


rect.


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.


Check that the tire pressures are cor-


Check that the vehicle and trailer are


connected properly. Confirm that


– the trailer tongue is connected prop- erly to the hitch ball. – the trailer lights connector is connect- ed properly and trailer’s brake lights illu- minate when the vehicle’s brake pedal is pressed, and that the trailer’s turn sig- nal lights flash when the vehicle’s turn signal lever is operated. – the safety chains are connected prop- erly. – all cargo in the trailer is secured safe- ty in position. – the side mirrors provide a good rear- ward field of view without a significant blind spot. 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 traffic, practice turning, stopping and backing up.


Driving with a trailer You should allow for considerably more stopping distance when towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may re- sult in skidding or jackknifing and loss of control.


Avoid abrupt starts and sudden acceler- ations. If your vehicle has a manual trans- mission, always start out in first gear and release the clutch at moderate engine rev- olution.


Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and


rapid lane changes.


Slow down before turning. Make a long- er than normal turning radius because the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehi- cle wheels to the inside of the turn. In a tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle. Crosswinds will adversely affect the handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus- ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to weather conditions or the passing of large tracks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and slow down im- mediately but gradually.


When passing other vehicles, consider- able distance is required because of the added weight and length caused by at- taching the trailer to your vehicle.


800231


1) Left turn 2) Right turn Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes practice. 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.


If the ABS warning light illuminates while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing the trailer and have repairs performed im- mediately by the nearest SUBARU dealer.


Driving on grades Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift into lower gear (if neces- sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the engine braking effect and prevent over-


Driving tips 8-27


Parking on a grade


Always block the wheels under both vehi- cle 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 un- der both the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel blocks are in place, re- lease the regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load. 4. Apply the regular brakes and then ap- ply the parking brake; slowly release the regular brakes. 5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmission) or “P” (automatic transmis- sion) and shut off the engine.


heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not make sudden downshifts.


When driving uphill in hot weather, the air conditioner may turn off automatically to protect the engine from overheating.


When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to the water temperature gauge pointer (for all vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP warning light (for AT vehicles) since the engine and transmission are relatively prone to overheating under these condi- tions. If the water temperature gauge pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi- nates, immediately switch off the air con- ditioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine overheat- ing” section in chapter 9, and “Warning and indicator lights” section in chapter 3. If your vehicle has an automatic trans- mission, avoid using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope in- stead of using the parking brake or foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to overheat.


If your vehicle has an automatic trans- mission, place the selector lever as fol- lows: Uphill slopes: “D” position Downhill slopes: A low-speed gear posi- tion to use engine braking


In case of emergency


If you park your vehicle in case of an


emergency ....................................................... Temporary spare tire .......................................... Flat tires .............................................................. Changing a flat tire ................................................. Jump starting ...................................................... How to jump start ...................................................


9-2
9-2
9-4
9-4
9-9
9-9
Engine overheating ............................................ 9-11


If steam is coming from the engine compartment ......................................................... If no steam is coming from the engine compartment .........................................................


9-11
Towing ................................................................. 9-11
9-12
9-13
9-14


Towing and tie-down hooks .................................. Using a flat-bed truck ............................................. Towing with all wheels on the ground ..................


9-11


Rear gate – if the rear gate cannot be


unlocked .......................................................... 9-15


Moonroof – if the moonroof cannot be


closed ............................................................... 9-15
Maintenance tools .............................................. 9-16
9-16


Jack and jack handle ..............................................


9-2 In case of emergency If you park your vehicle in case of an emergency


In case of emergency


300117
The hazard warning flasher should be used in day or night to warn other drivers when you have to park your vehicle under emergency conditions. 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 po- sition. 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.


Temporary spare tire


The temporary spare tire is smaller and lighter than a conventional tire and is de- signed for emergency use only. Remove the temporary spare tire and re-install the conventional tire as soon as possible be- cause the spare tire is designed only for temporary use. Check the inflation pressure of the tempo- rary spare tire periodically to keep the tire ready for use. The correct pressure is 60
psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kg/cm2). When using the temporary spare tire, note the following.


Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not put a tire chain on the temporary spare tire. Because of the smaller tire size, a tire chain will not fit properly.


Do not use two or more temporary


spare tires at the same time.


Do not drive over obstacles. This tire has a smaller diameter, so road clearance is reduced.


In case of emergency 9-3


Never tow a trailer when the tempo- rary spare tire is used. The tempo- rary spare tire is not designed to sustain the towing load. Use of the temporary spare tire when towing can result in failure of the spare tire and/or less stability of the vehicle and may lead to an accident.


Never use any temporary spare tire other than the original. Using other sizes may result in severe mechani- cal damage to the drive train of your vehicle.


900231


1) Tread wear indicator bar 2) Indicator location mark When the wear indicator appears on the


tread, replace the tire.


The temporary spare tire must be used only on a rear wheel. If a front wheel tire gets punctured, replace the wheel with a rear wheel and install the temporary spare tire in place of the removed rear wheel.


900266


1) Spare fuse 2) FWD connector NOTE (If your vehicle is AWD with automatic transmission, except Turbo models) Before driving your vehicle with the temporary spare tire, put a spare fuse inside the FWD connector in the main fuse box located in the engine com- partment and confirm that the Front- wheel drive warning light “AWD” in the combination meter comes on. The All- Wheel Drive capability of the vehicle has now deactivated. After re-installing the conventional tire, remove the spare fuse from the FWD connector in order to reactivate All-Wheel Drive.


9-4 In case of emergency Flat tires


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.


Changing a flat tire


Do not jack up the vehicle on an incline or a loose road surface. The jack can come out of the jack- ing point or sink into the ground and this can result in a severe ac- cident. Use only the jack provided with your vehicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is designed only for changing a tire. Never get un- der the vehicle while supporting the vehicle with this jack.


Always turn off the engine before raising the flat tire off the ground using the jack. Never swing or push the vehicle supported with the jack. The jack can come out of the jacking point due to a jolt and this can result in a severe acci- dent.


1. Park on a hard, level surface, whenev- er possible, then stop the engine. 2. Set the parking brake securely and shift a manual transmission vehicle in re- verse or an automatic transmission vehi- cle in the “P” (Park) position. 3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher and have everyone get out of the vehicle.


Sedan 1) Jack 2) Jack handle 3) Spare tire


900267


900000
4. Put wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire.


1


900268


Wagon 1) Jack 2) Jack handle 3) Spare tire 5. Take out the spare tire, jack, and wheel nut wrench. The spare tire is stored under the floor of the trunk or cargo area. To remove the spare tire, proceed as fol- lows:


900047
Sedan: Remove the floor cover from the trunk. Remove the storage compartment (if so equipped).Turn the attaching bolt counterclockwise, then take the spare tire out.


In case of emergency 9-5


900290


Wagon: Open the lid. Remove the storage compartment (if so equipped). Turn the attaching bolt coun- terclockwise, then take spare tire out. If the spare tire provided in your vehicle is a temporary spare tire, carefully read the


– CONTINUED –


9-6 In case of emergency


section “Temporary spare tire” in this chapter and strictly follow the instructions.


counterclockwise to loosen it, then re- move the jack.


900269
6. Loosen the wheel nuts using the wheel nut wrench but do not remove the nuts.


900050
If the jackscrew is too tight to be loosened by hand, loosen it using a screwdriver or the jack handle. The jack handle is stored under the spare tire cover. NOTE Make sure the jack is well lubricated before using it.


900049


The jack is stored on the left side of the trunk or cargo area. To take out the jack: Remove the cover, turn the jackscrew


Jack-up points (Vehicle with side sill skirt)


900053


In case of emergency 9-7


900054


Jack-up points (Others) 7. Place the jack under the side sill at the front or rear jack-up point closest to the flat tire. Turn the jackscrew by hand until the jack head engages firmly into the jack-up point.


900055
8. Insert the jack handle into the jack- screw, and turn the handle until the tire clears the ground. Do not raise the vehicle higher than necessary. 9. Remove the wheel nuts and the flat tire.


900073
10.Before putting the spare tire on, clean the mounting surface of the wheel and hub with a cloth. 11.Put on the spare tire. Replace the wheel nuts. Tighten them by hand.


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. 12.Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.


900009


– CONTINUED –


After placing the jack in its storage loca- tion, turn the jackscrew clockwise by hand until it becomes too hard to turn. Then, tighten it by an additional 1/4 – 1/3 of a turn using a screwdriver or the jack han- dle. Unless the jack is properly secured, it may rattle while the vehicle is moving.


Never place a tire or tire changing tools in the passenger compartment after changing wheels. In a sudden stop or collisions, loose equipment could strike occupants and cause injury. Store the tire and all tools in the proper place.


9-8 In case of emergency


900056
13.Use the wheel nut wrench to securely tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque, following the tightening order in the illustration. The torque for tightening the nuts is 58 to 72 lbf·ft (80 to 100 N·m, 8 to 10 kgf·m). This torque is equivalent to applying ap- proximately 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.


900012
14.Store the flat tire in the spare tire com- partment. Put the spacer and tighten the attaching bolt firmly. Also store the jack and wheel nut wrench in their storage locations.


900057


Jump starting


Battery fluid is SULFURIC ACID. Do not let it come in contact with the hooks, skin, clothing or the vehicle. If battery fluid gets on you, thor- oughly flush the exposed area with water immediately. Get medi- cal help if the fluid has entered your hooks. 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. The gas generated by a battery ex- plodes if a flame or spark is brought near it. Do not smoke or light a match while jump starting. Never attempt jump starting if the discharged battery is frozen. It could cause the battery to burst or explode.


Whenever working on or around a battery, always wear suitable- hookprotectors, and remove met- al objects such as rings, bands or other metal jewelry. 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 available. A running engine can be danger- ous. Keep your fingers, hands, clothing, hair and tools away from the cooling fan, belts and any oth- er moving engine parts. Remov- ing rings, watches and ties is ad- visable. Jump starting is dangerous if it done incorrectly. If you are unsure about the proper procedure for jump starting, consult a compe- tent mechanic.


When your vehicle does not start due to a run down (discharged) battery, the vehicle may be jump started by connecting your battery to another battery (called the booster battery) with jumper cables.


How to jump start


1. Make sure the booster battery is 12


In case of emergency 9-9


volts and the negative terminal is ground- ed. 2. If the booster battery is in another vehi- cle, do not let the two vehicles touch. 3. Turn off all unnecessary lights and ac- cessories. 4. Connect the jumper cables exactly in the sequence illustrated.


– CONTINUED –


9-10 In case of emergency


1) Booster battery 2) Engine lifting bracket


1)Connect one jumper cable to the pos- itive (+) terminal on the discharged bat- tery. 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 vehi- cle that has the discharged battery. 6. When finished, carefully disconnect the cables in exactly the reverse order.


900270


the engine and contact your authorized dealer for repair. 3. After the engine coolant temperature has dropped, turn off the engine. If the temperature gauge stays at the overheated zone, turn off the engine. 4. After the engine has fully cooled down, check the coolant level in the reserve tank. If the coolant level is below the “LOW” mark, add coolant up to the “FULL” 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 counter- clockwise 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.


Engine overheating


Never attempt to remove the radia- tor 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. If steam is coming from the engine compartment


Turn off the engine and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down.


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, immediately turn off


In case of emergency 9-11


Towing


If towing is necessary, it is best done by your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service. Observe the following pro- cedures for safety.


900059


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 deteri- oration of the center differential.


– CONTINUED –


9-12 In case of emergency


Towing and tie-down hooks


The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency (e.g., to free a stuck vehicle from mud, sand or snow). Front towing hook: 1. Take the towing hook and screwdriver out of the tool bag. Take the jack handle out of the trunk (Sedan) or cargo area (Wagon).


900271
2. Pry off the cover on the front bumper using a screwdriver, and you will find a threaded hole for attaching the towing hook.


the vehicle and stow it in the tool bag. Fit the fog light cover on the bumper.


Do not use the towing hook ex- cept when towing your vehicle. Be sure to remove the towing hook after towing. Leaving the towing hook mounted on the vehi- cle could interfere with proper op- eration of the SRS airbag system in a frontal collision.


Rear towing hook:


900272
3. Screw the towing hook into the thread hole until its thread can no longer be seen.


900273
4. Tighten the towing hook securely using the jack handle. After towing, remove the towing hook from


900062


In case of emergency 9-13


Use only the specified towing hook and tie-down hook. Never use suspension parts or other parts of the body for towing or tie- down purposes. Never use the tie-down hook on the underside of the vehicle clos- est to the muffler for towing pur- poses. Using a flat-bed truck

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