2006 Subaru Impreza WRX Owners Manual

A higher initial LSD torque setting gives the vehicle greater traction when driving straight ahead but makes cor- nering more difficult. Remember this when adjusting the initial LSD torque. In general, higher initial LSD torque settings assist driving on slippery roads and lower settings for non-slip- pery roads. If you become stuck in snow or mud, turning the center differ- ential control dial to the frontmost po- sition will help move the vehicle out. (The “LOCK” indicator will come on at the frontmost position.)

During cornering or when making turns (especially when getting into the garage), the rotational difference be- tween the front and rear wheels may cause a braking effect accompanied by

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Turn the dial rearward to reduce the initial LSD torque; when the white line reaches the rearmost position, the initial LSD torque will be minimum and the “ ” indi- cator light will come on. Under this condi- tion, only the Mechanical LSD torque will limit the differential action.

Do not turn the control dial when a wheel slippage occurs. Wait un- til the wheelspin has been brought under control.

7-16 Starting and operating Automatic transmission

The automatic transmission is electroni- cally controlled with 4-forward speeds and 1-reverse speed. NOTE

When the engine coolant tempera- ture is still low, your vehicle’s automat- ic transmission will up-shift at higher engine speeds than when the coolant temperature is sufficiently high in or- der to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift tim- ing will automatically shift to the nor- mal timing after the engine has warmed up.

Immediately after ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the automatic transmis- sion operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation of data the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most ap- propriate times for the current condi- tion of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle contin- ues to be driven for a while.

When parking the vehicle, first se- curely apply the parking brake and then place the selector lever in the “P” position. Avoid parking for a long time with the selector le- ver in any other position as doing so could result in a dead battery. Selector lever for automatic transmission

700034

Do not shift from the “P” or “N” po- sition into the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause the vehicle to jump forward or back- ward.

Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is complete- ly stopped. Shifting while the ve- hicle is moving may cause dam- age to the transmission. Do not race the engine for more than five seconds in any position except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is set or when chocks are used in the wheels. This may cause the automatic transmission fluid to overheat. Avoid shifting from one of the for- ward driving positions into the “R” position or vice versa until the vehicle has completely stopped. Such shifting may cause damage to the transmission.

sure safe starting of the vehicle. To shift the selector lever from the “P” to the any other position, you have to de- press the brake pedal fully when the igni- tion 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 de- pressed, refer to the “Shift lock release” section in this chapter.

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.

N (Neutral)

This position is for restarting a stalled en- gine. In this position the wheels and transmis- sion 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 neu- tral. During coasting, there is no engine brak- ing effect.

Starting and operating 7-17

NOTE If you stop the engine with the selector lever in the “N” position, move the se- lector lever to the “P” position immedi- ately. Otherwise, you may find that the selector lever soon cannot be moved to the “P” position. If you find that the selector lever cannot be moved from the “N” position to the “P” position, turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po- sition and try again.

Do not drive the vehicle with the se- lector lever in the “N” (neutral) posi- tion. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the risk of an ac- cident is consequently increased.

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 accelerator 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 – CONTINUED –

: With the brake pedal depressed,

move the lever along the gate. : Move the lever along the gate.

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The selector lever has seven positions.

P (Park)

This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. In this position, the transmission is me- chanically 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 transmission. A shift interlock function is employed in the automatic transmission system to en-

7-18 Starting and operating

the original gear position.

While climbing a grade

When driving up hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is prevented from taking place when the accelerator pedal is released. This minimizes the chances of subse- quent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeat- ed upshifting and downshifting resulting in a smoother operation of the vehicle. NOTE The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to ac- celerate the vehicle again. While going down a hill

When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause the transmis- sion to downshift to 3rd gear, thus apply- ing engine braking. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to upshift normally. NOTE In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade does not re- sult in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This can happen when the auto- matic 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 temperature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normally takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for engine braking as required. Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at speeds above approximately 48 mph (78 km/h).

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 accelerator 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.

2 (Second)

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 trac- tion.

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 posi- tion, the transmission holds in the 1st gear.

Maximum speeds

The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with each differ- ent gear. 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 se- lected.

Non-turbo models

Turbo models

mph (km/h)

28 (45)

62 (100)

97 (156)

28 (45)

65 (104)

104 (167)

parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehi- cle with only the transmission.

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. The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon is not an indication of a problem in your vehicle. Shift lock release

If the selector lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake pedal de- pressed 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 en- gine. 2. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag. 3. Remove the cover by prying on the edge with the screwdriver.

NOTE In order to prevent over-revving during deceleration of the vehicle, the trans- mission 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.

When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travelling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Al- lowable Speed for the gear which is about to be selected. Failure to ob- serve this precaution can lead to en- gine 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 conse- quence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident in- creased.

Driving tips Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position.

Always set the parking brake when

Starting and operating 7-19

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700060

4. Insert the screwdriver into the hole. 5. Push down on the screwdriver and move the selector lever from the “P” to the “N” position. 6. Remove the screwdriver from the hole. Depress the brake pedal and start the en- – CONTINUED –

7-20 Starting and operating

gine. Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer immediately to have the system re- paired.

If you use a temporary spare tire to replace a flat tire, be sure to use the original temporary spare tire stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes will adversely affect the LSD.

Limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped)

The LSD provides optimum distribution of power according to the difference in revo- lutions between the right and left wheels that may be caused by certain driving con- ditions, thereby improving driving stability on snow-covered, muddy or other slippery roads or when high speed driving. NOTE (WRX-STI) The rear differential may emit a knock- ing sound when the vehicle is driven slowly with the steering wheel turned fully to either side. This sound occurs because of the design of the mechani- cal LSD. It does not indicate a problem.

Never start the engine while a tire on one side is jacked up, as the vehicle may move. If one tire is spinning in mud, avoid continued spinning at high speed as this could adversely af- fect the LSD.

Power steering

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. NOTE Right after the engine has been started and before it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming from areas adja- cent to the power steering pump which is located at the right-front area of the engine compartment. This noise is nor- mal. It does not indicate power steering system trouble.

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.

Braking

Braking tips

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.

When the brakes get wet

When driving in rain or after washing the vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a re- sult, 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.

Use of engine braking

Remember to make use of engine braking in addition to foot braking. When descend- ing 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 lower gear to get stronger engine braking.

Braking when a tire is punctured

Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly

Starting and operating 7-21

when a tire is punctured. This could cause a loss of control of the vehicle. Keep driv- ing straight ahead while gradually reduc- ing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place.

Brake system Two separate circuits

Your vehicle has two separate circuit brake systems. Each circuit works diago- nally 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 go 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.

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, result- ing in poor braking power. The brakes will continue to work even when the brake booster completely stops functioning. If this happens, however, you will have to push the pedal much harder than normal and the braking distance will increase.

– CONTINUED –

7-22 Starting and operating

Disc brake pad wear warning indicators

ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys- tem)

The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which may occur during sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfac- es. 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).

Always use the utmost care in driv- ing – overconfidence because you are driving with an ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a seri- ous accident.

700040
The disc brake pad wear warning indica- tors 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, imme- diately have your vehicle checked by your SUBARU dealer.

The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance. You should always maintain a safe fol- lowing distance from other vehi- cles. When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy roads, or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be longer for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driving under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and leave am- ple distance from other vehicles. 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 op- eration of the ABS system. ABS system self-check

Just after the vehicle is started, you may feel on the brake pedal a vibration similar to when the ABS operates, and you may also hear the sound of the ABS working from the engine compartment. This is caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS system being carried out and

Starting and operating 7-23

immediately, remaining off.

The warning light remains on after the engine has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches approximately 8 mph (12 km/h).

The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out immediately and remains off.

does not indicate any abnormal condition.

ABS warning light

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The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi- tion and goes out after approximately two seconds. This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly. When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the engine 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.

If the warning light behaves as fol- lows, the ABS system may not be working properly. When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; however, the conventional brake system con- tinues to operate normally.

The warning light does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. 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 8 mph (12
km/h). The warning light comes on dur- ing driving.

If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available oppor- tunity by your SUBARU dealer. NOTE If the warning light behavior is as de- scribed in the following, the ABS sys- tem may be considered normal.

The warning light comes on right af- ter the engine is started but goes out

7-24 Starting and operating Electronic Brake Force Dis- tribution (EBD) system

The EBD system maximizes the effective- ness of the brakes by allowing the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking force. It functions by adjusting the distribution of braking force to the rear wheels in accordance with the vehicle’s loading condition and speed. The EBD system is an integral part of the ABS system and uses some of the ABS system’s components to perform its func- tion of optimizing the distribution of brak- ing force. If any of the ABS components used by the EBD function fails, the EBD system also stops working. When the EBD system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

warning light illuminate simultaneously, take the following steps: 1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place. 2. Shut down the engine, then restart it. 3. Release the parking brake. If both warning lights go out, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the near- est SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected. 4. If both warning lights come on again and stay illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and check the brake fluid level. 5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “MIN” mark, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system in- spected. 6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. In- stead, have the vehicle towed to the near- est SUBARU dealer for repair.

Steps to take if EBD system fails

700360
If a malfunction occurs in the EBD system, the system stops working and the brake system warning light and ABS warning light come on simultaneously. The EBD system may be faulty if the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously during driv- ing. Even if the EBD system fails, the conven- tional braking system will still function. However, the rear wheels will be more prone to locking when the brakes are ap- plied harder than usual and the vehicle’s motion may therefore become somewhat harder to control. If the brake system warning light and ABS

Parking your vehicle

Parking brake

To set the parking brake, press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down while fully pulling up the parking brake lever.

Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous. This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If the light remains on, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU dealer immediately. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.

towed to

700336
To release the parking brake, pull the le- ver up slightly, press the release button, then lower the lever while keeping the but- ton pressed. When the parking brake is set while the engine is running, the parking brake warn- ing light comes on. After starting the vehi- cle, be sure that the warning light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Re- fer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section (chapter 3).

Starting and operating 7-25

Never drive while the parking brake is set because this will cause unnec- essary wear on the brake linings. Before starting to drive, always make sure that the parking brake has been fully released.

Parking tips

When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Re- verse) for a downgrade for manual trans- mission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) posi- tion for automatic transmission vehicles. Always set the parking brake firmly when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle.

– CONTINUED –

If your vehicle has a front under- spoiler and rear underspoiler (both optional), pay attention to blocks and other obstructions on the ground when parking. The under- spoilers could be damaged by con- tact with them.

7-26 Starting and operating

700136
When parking on a hill, always turn the steering wheel. When the vehicle is head- ed up the hill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb.

700137
When facing downhill, the front wheels should be turned into the curb.

Never leave unattended children or pets in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent opera- tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, the temperature in a closed vehicle could quickly be- come high enough to cause se- vere or possibly fatal injuries to people. Do not park the vehicle over flam- mable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags, as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust sys- tem parts. Be sure to stop the engine if you take a nap in the vehicle. If engine exhaust gas enters the passenger compartment, occupants in the vehicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) contained in the exhaust gas.

Cruise control

To set cruise control

vehicle reaches the desired speed.

Starting and operating 7-27

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 unin- tentionally setting the cruise control. NOTE If you move the cruise control lever or press the main switch button while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control function is deactivated and the “CRUISE” indicator light flash- es. To reactivate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position.

Do not use the cruise control under any of the following conditions. This may cause loss of vehicle control: driving up or down a steep grade driving on slippery or winding roads driving in heavy traffic

1. Push the main switch button.

300332

300333
3. Push the control lever downward in the “SET/COAST” direction and release it. Then release the accelerator pedal.

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” indicator light on the com-

The “ bination meter will come on. 2. Depress the accelerator pedal until the

At this time, the “ illuminated in the combination meter.

700362
” indicator light is

– CONTINUED –

7-28 Starting and operating

The vehicle will maintain the desired speed. Vehicle speed can be temporarily in- creased while driving with the cruise con- trol activated. Simply depress the acceler- ator pedal to accelerate the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is released, the ve- hicle will return to and maintain the previ- ous cruising speed.

To temporarily cancel the cruise control

There are five ways to cancel the cruise control temporarily:

Depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-

mission vehicles only).

Shift the selector lever into the “N” posi- transmission vehicles

(automatic

tion only).

Shift the shift lever into neutral position

(manual transmission vehicles only). The “ ” indicator light in the combi- nation meter goes off when the cruise control is cancelled. To resume the cruise control after it has been temporarily canceled and with vehi- cle speed of approximately 20 mph (32
km/h) or more, push the control lever up- ward in the “RES/ACC” direction to return to the original cruising speed automatical- ly. The “ ” indicator light in the combi- nation meter will automatically come on at this time.

To turn off the cruise control There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Push the main switch again. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position (but only when the vehi- cle is completely stopped).

700161
Pull the control lever in the “CANCEL”

direction.

Depress the brake pedal.

To change the cruising speed To increase the speed (by control le- ver)

300334
Push the control lever upward in the “RES/ACC” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, release the control lever. The vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as the new set speed. When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the set speed can be increased 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the control lever upward in the “RES/ACC” direction quickly.

To increase the speed (by accelera- tor pedal)

1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accel- erate the vehicle to the desired speed. 2. Push 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 de- pressing the accelerator pedal. NOTE If the difference between the actual ve- hicle speed when the control lever is pushed downward and the speed last time you set is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/ h), the vehicle speed will be lowered by 1 mph (1.6 km/h). This occurs because the cruise control system unit regards this lever operation as that intended to decrease the vehicle speed.

To decrease the speed (by control lever)

Starting and operating 7-29

cruise control temporarily. 2. When the speed decreases to the de- sired speed, press the control lever down- ward in the “SET/COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is set and the ve- hicle will keep running at that speed with- out depressing the accelerator pedal.

300333
Push the control lever downward in the “SET/COAST” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, release the control lever. The vehi- cle speed at that moment will be memo- rized and treated as the new set speed. When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the set speed can be lowered 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the control lever downward in the “SET/COAST” direction quickly.

To decrease the speed (by brake pedal)

1. Depress the brake pedal to release

Driving tips

Trailer towing ...................................................... 8-19
8-19
8-20
8-23
8-24
8-25

Warranties and maintenance ................................. Maximum load limits .............................................. Trailer hitches ......................................................... Connecting a trailer ................................................ Trailer towing tips ...................................................

8-2
8-2
8-2
8-3
8-4
8-4
8-5
8-6

New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) .............................................. Fuel economy hints ........................................... Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ......... Catalytic converter ............................................. Periodic inspections .......................................... Driving in foreign countries .............................. Driving tips for AWD vehicles ........................... Off road driving .................................................. All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires ................................... OUTBACK SPORT .................................................. Winter driving ..................................................... Operation during cold weather .............................. Driving on snowy and icy roads ............................ Corrosion protection .............................................. Snow tires ............................................................... Tire chains ............................................................... Rocking the vehicle ................................................

8-6
8-6
8-8
8-8
8-9
8-10
8-10
8-11
8-12
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-12
8-13

Vehicle capacity weight ......................................... GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................... Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) .....................

8-14
8-14
Trailer hitch (if equipped) .................................. 8-17
8-17
8-19

Connecting a trailer ................................................ When you do not tow a trailer ...............................

8-2 Driving tips New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)

Driving tips

Fuel economy hints

The following suggestions will help to save your fuel.

Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)

The performance and long life of your ve- hicle are dependent on how you handle and care for your vehicle while it is new. Follow these instructions during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km):

Do not race the engine. And do not al- low engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm ex- cept in an emergency.

Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or slow.

Avoid starting suddenly and rapid accel-

eration, except in an emergency.

Avoid hard braking, except in an emer-

gency. The same break-in procedures should be applied to an overhauled engine, newly mounted engine or when brake pads or brake linings are replaced with new ones.

Select the proper gear position for the

speed and road conditions.

Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera- tion. Always accelerate gently until you reach the desired speed. Then try to main- tain that speed for as long as possible.

Do not pump the accelerator and avoid

racing the engine.

Avoid unnecessary engine idling. Keep the engine properly tuned. Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure shown on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driv- er’s side. Low pressure will increase tire wear and fuel consumption.

Use the air conditioner only when nec-

essary.

er alignment.

cargo.

Keep the front and rear wheels in prop-

Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or

Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine exhaust gas contains car- bon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. Always properly maintain the en- gine exhaust system to prevent engine exhaust gas from entering the vehicle. Never run the engine in a closed space, such as a garage, except for the brief time needed to drive the vehicle in or out of it. Avoid remaining in a parked vehi- cle for a lengthy time while the en- gine is running. If that is unavoid- able, then use the ventilation fan to force fresh air into the vehicle. Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille free from snow, leaves or other obstructions to ensure that the ventilation system always works properly.

If at any time you suspect that ex- haust fumes are entering the vehi- cle, have the problem checked and corrected as soon as possi- ble. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with all win- dows fully open. Keep the trunk lid (Sedan) or rear gate (Wagon) closed while driving to prevent exhaust gas from en- tering the vehicle.

NOTE Due to the expansion and contraction of the metals used in the manufacture of the exhaust system, you may hear a crackling sound coming from the ex- haust system for a short time after the engine has been shut off. This sound is normal.

Catalytic converter

Turbo models

800232

Driving tips 8-3

The catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system. It serves as catalyst to reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gas- es, thus providing cleaner exhaust. To avoid damage to the catalytic convert- er:

Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small amount of leaded fuel will damage the cat- alytic converter.

Never start the engine by pushing or

pulling the vehicle.

Avoid racing the engine. Never turn off the ignition switch while

the vehicle is moving.

Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel the engine running rough (misfiring, back- firing or incomplete combustion), have your vehicle checked and repaired by an authorized SUBARU dealer.

Do not apply undercoating or rust pre- vention treatment to the heat shield of cat- alytic converter and the exhaust system.

Non-turbo models

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.

– CONTINUED –

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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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

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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.

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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