2008 Subaru Tribeca Owners Manual

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 driving. 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 applied harder than usual and the vehi- cle’s motion may therefore become some- what harder to control. If the brake system warning light and ABS

illuminate simultaneously,

If both the EBD system

warning light take the following steps: 1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place. 2. Shut down the engine, apply the parking brake, and then restart it. 3. Release the parking brake. warning lights go out, may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest 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. If the brake fluid level is not below the 5. “MIN” mark, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected. 6. is below the “MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.

the brake fluid level

If

WARNING

. 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 prop- erly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for re- pair.

Vehicle Dynamics Control system

WARNING

Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with a Vehicle Dy- namics Control system equipped vehicle could easily lead to a ser- ious accident.

CAUTION

. Even if your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, winter tires or snow chains should be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads; in addition, vehicle speed should be reduced considerably. Simply having a Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system does not guarantee that the vehicle will be able to avoid accidents in any situation. the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system is an indication that the road being travelled on has a slippery sur- face; since having Vehicle Dy- namics Control is no guarantee

. Activation of

Starting and operating 7-23

that full vehicle control will be maintained at all times and under all conditions, its activation should be seen as a sign that the speed of the vehicle should be reduced considerably.

. Whenever suspension compo- nents, steering components, or an axle are removed from a vehicle equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, have an authorized SUBARU dealer per- form an inspection of that sys- tem.

. The following precautions should be observed in order to ensure that the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is operating properly: – All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand. Further- more, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires.

– Keep the tire pressure at the proper level as shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar.

In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface and/or during

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7-24 Starting and operating

cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to help maintain traction and directional control. . Traction Control Function The traction control function is designed to prevent spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional control. this function is shown by Activation of steady illumination of the Vehicle Dy- namics Control operation indicator light. . Skid Suppression Function The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering operations. Acti- vation of this function is shown by flashing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light. NOTE . Slight twitching of the brake pedal may be felt when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system operates; a small de- gree of vehicle or steering wheel shak- ing may also be noticed in this situa- tion. These are normal characteristics of Vehicle Dynamics Control operation and are no cause for alarm. . When driving off immediately after

starting the engine, a short operation noise may be noticed coming from the engine compartment. This noise is generated as a result of a check being performed on the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and is normal. . Depending on the timing of activa- tion of the brakes, the brake pedal may seem to jolt when you drive off after starting the engine. This is a conse- quence of the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol operational check and is normal. . In the circumstances listed in the the vehicle may be more following, unstable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control System may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a system fault.

. on gravel-covered or rutted roads . on unfinished roads . when the vehicle is towing a trailer . when the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or winter tires

. Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system will cause operation of the steering wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal conditions. . Even if the vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Dynamics Control system, it is important that winter tires be used

when driving on snow-covered or icy roads. (All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size and brand). Furthermore, if snow chains are to be used, they should be fitted on the front wheels. When a vehicle is fitted with snow chains, however, the effective- ness of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is reduced and this should be taken into account when driving the vehicle in such a condition. . It to reduce is always important speed when approaching a corner, even if the vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control. . All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand; furthermore, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires. If these precautions are not observed and non-matching tires are used, it is quite possible that the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system will be unable to operate correctly as intended. . Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire as failure to do so may render the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unable to operate correctly.

& Vehicle Dynamics Control

system monitor

! Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-

tion indicator light

when the ignition key is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light does not turn off approximately 2 seconds after the ignition key has been turned to the ON position. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Traction Control system OFF indicator light

light

The indicator turns on when the ignition key is turned to the ON position; it turns off approximately 2 seconds later. This indicator light flashes during activa- tion of the skid suppression function and is illuminated steadily during activation of the traction control function. The following two situations could indicate the Vehicle Dynamics a malfunction of Control system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not

turn on

indicating that

This single light has the function of indicating malfunctions in the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the function of the Traction Control system is not operating. It comes on in the event of a malfunction in the system and is illuminated whenever the system is not operating.

Starting and operating 7-25

! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes off several seconds after engine startup. This lighting pattern indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is operating normally.

The following situations could indicate a malfunction of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system; if any should occur, we recommend that you have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of the system at the first available opportu- nity. . The warning light does not turn on when the ignition key is turned to the ON position. . The warning light turns on while the vehicle is being driven. . When a malfunction has occurred in the Vehicle Dynamics Control electrical system, only the warning light will turn on. In such an event, the ABS will still be operating normally. . The warning light will also turn on when a problem occurs with the ABS or Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic control sys- tems. Because the Vehicle Dynamics Control system controls each brake through the ABS, whenever the ABS stops operating – CONTINUED –

7-26 Starting and operating

due to a malfunction in that electrical system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control will also become unable to control all four brakes. Thus Vehicle Dynamics Control system operation halts and the warning light turns on. Although both the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS will be inoperable in this situation, it will still be possible to stop the vehicle using normal braking. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS do not adversely affect operation of the vehicle in any way when they are inoperable; however should such a situation occur, drive with care and have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of those systems at the first available oppor- tunity. NOTE When the warning light turns on and off in the following way, it indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is operating normally. . Although turning on after the engine has been started, the warning light quickly turns off and stays off. . The warning light turns on when the vehicle is being driven; it then turns off and stays off.

! Traction Control system OFF indica-

tor light

This light comes on to indicate that the Traction Control system is in non-opera- tion mode. This does not constitute failure of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. NOTE . The indicator light may stay on for a while after the engine has been started, especially in cold weather. This occurs because the engine has not yet warmed up and is completely normal. The light will turn off when the engine has reached a suitable operating tem- perature. . When an engine problem occurs and the malfunction indicator lamp turns on, the indicator light will also come on. The following two situations could indicate the Vehicle Dynamics malfunction of Control system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not turn on when the ignition key is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light fails to turn off after the engine is started, even when several minutes have passed to allow the engine

to heat up sufficiently.

& Traction Control system OFF

switch

Pressing the switch to deactivate the Traction Control system can facilitate the following operations: . a standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or otherwise slippery surface . extrication of wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow

the vehicle when its

the “

” indicator light

When the switch is pressed during engine operation, in the combination meter illuminates. The Trac- tion Control system will be deactivated and the vehicle will behave like a model not equipped with the Traction Control

” indicator light goes off.

system. When the switch is pressed again to reactivate the Traction Control system, the “ With the Traction Control system deacti- vated, traction enhancement offered by Traction Control system is unavailable. Therefore you should not deactivate the Traction Control system except under above-mentioned situations. NOTE . When the switch has been pressed to deactivate the Traction Control sys- tem, the Traction Control system auto- matically reactivates itself the next time the ignition key is turned to the “LOCK” position and the engine is restarted. . If the switch is held down for 10
seconds or longer, the indicator light goes off, the Traction Control system is activated, and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To make the switch usable again, turn the igni- tion key to the “LOCK” position and restart the engine. . When the switch is pressed to deactivate the Traction Control system, the vehicle’s running performance is comparable with that of a vehicle that does not have a Traction Control system. Do not deactivate the Traction Control system except when absolutely

necessary.

Starting and operating 7-27

Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

The tire pressure monitoring system pro- vides the driver with a warning message by sending a signal from a sensor that is installed in each wheel when tire pressure is severely low. The tire pressure monitoring system will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also, this system may not react immediately to a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a blow-out caused by running over a sharp object).

WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light

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7-28 Starting and operating

comes on while driving, never brake suddenly and keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place. Otherwise an acci- dent involving serious vehicle da- mage and serious personal injury could occur. Check the pressure for all four tires and adjust the pressure to the COLD tire pressure shown on the tire placard on the door pillar on the driver’s side. Even when the vehicle is driven a very short distance, the tires get warm and their pressures increase accordingly. Be sure to let the tires cool thoroughly before adjusting their pressures to the standard values shown on the tire placard. (Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in chapter 11.) The tire pressure monitoring system does not function when the vehicle is stationary. After adjusting the tire pressures, increase the vehicle speed to at least 20 mph (32 km/h) to start the TPMS re-checking of the tire inflation pressures. If the tire pressures are now above the severe low pressure threshold, the low tire pressure warning light should go off

a few minutes later. If this light still comes on while driving after adjusting the tire pres- sure, a tire may have significant damage and a fast leak that causes the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel rim is replaced without the original pressure sensor/transmitter being transferred, the low tire pres- sure warning light will illuminate steadily after blinking for approxi- mately one minute. This indicates the TPMS is unable to monitor all four road wheels. Contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible for tire and sensor replacement and/ or system resetting. Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors. If the light illuminates steadily after blinking for approximately one minute, promptly contact a SUBARU dealer to have the system inspected.

CAUTION

Do not place metal film or any metal parts under the driver’s seat. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sen- sors, and the tire pressure monitor- ing system will not function prop- erly.

NOTE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful inter- this device must ference, and (2) accept any interference received, in- cluding interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not ex- pressly approved by the party respon- sible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equip- ment.

Parking your vehicle

& Parking brake

Starting and operating 7-29

WARNING

. Never leave unattended children or pets in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent op- eration of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, the tempera- ture in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to them.

. Do not park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags, as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust 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, occu- pants in the vehicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) con- tained in the exhaust gas.

CAUTION

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

. Never drive with your foot on the

parking brake pedal.

To set the parking brake, hold down the brake pedal while pushing the parking brake pedal as far as it will go.

To release the parking brake, hold down the brake pedal while pushing the parking brake pedal and slowly releasing it. When the parking brake is set while the engine is running, the parking brake warning light comes on. After starting the vehicle, be sure that the warning light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section in chapter 3.

& Parking tips When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and put the selector lever in the “P” (Park) position. Always set the parking brake firmly when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle.

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7-30 Starting and operating

Cruise control

& To set cruise control

is not

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 in use to avoid unintentionally 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 flashes. 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.

WARNING

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

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

When facing downhill, should be turned into the curb.

the front wheels

1. Push the main switch button.

” indicator light on the combina-

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

vehicle reaches the desired speed.

The vehicle will maintain the desired speed.

Vehicle speed can be temporarily in- creased while driving with the cruise control activated. Simply depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehi- cle. When the accelerator pedal is re- leased, return to and maintain the previous cruising speed. & To temporarily cancel the

the vehicle will

cruise control

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

There are three ways to cancel the cruise control temporarily:

Starting and operating 7-31

position.

The “ ” indicator light in the combination meter goes off when the cruise control is canceled.

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 upward in the “RES/ACC” direction to return to the original cruising speed auto- matically. The “ ” indicator light in the combination 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 vehicle is completely stopped).

this time,

At illuminated in the combination meter.

” indicator light

the “

. Pull the control lever in the “CANCEL” direction. . Depress the brake pedal. . Shift

the selector lever into the “N”

is

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7-32 Starting and operating

& To change the cruising speed ! To increase the speed (by control

lever)

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 accel-

erator pedal)

1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate 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 vehicle 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 low- ered 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)

Push the control lever downward in the “SET/COAST” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, lever. The vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as the new set speed.

release the control

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.

Starting and operating 7-33

! To decrease the speed (by brake

pedal)

to release

1. Depress the brake pedal cruise control temporarily. 2. When the speed decreases to the desired speed, press the control lever downward in the “SET/COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accelerator pedal.

& Cruise control indicator light

If you move the cruise control lever while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise function is deactivated and the control “CRUISE” indicator light flashes. To re- activate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position.

& Cruise control set indicator

light

The cruise control indicator light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after approxi- mately 3 seconds. The light comes on when the “CRUISE” main switch is pressed.

indicator

The cruise control set light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after approximately 3 seconds. The light comes on when vehicle speed has been set.

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Driving tips

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 ......................... On-pavement and off road driving.................. Winter driving ................................................... Operation during cold weather.......................... Driving on snowy and icy roads ....................... Corrosion protection ...................................... Snow tires ..................................................... Tire chains...................................................... Rocking the vehicle.........................................

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Loading your vehicle...................................... Vehicle capacity weight................................... GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ..................... Roof rails and crossbar (if equipped)............... Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped)......... Trailer hitch (if equipped) .............................. Connecting a trailer ........................................ When you do not tow a trailer ......................... Trailer towing ................................................. Warranties and maintenance ........................... Maximum load limits ....................................... Trailer hitches................................................. Connecting a trailer ........................................ Trailer towing tips ...........................................

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8-2 Driving tips

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

The performance and long life of your vehicle 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 allow engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm except 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 acceleration, except in an emergency. . Avoid hard braking, except emergency.

in an

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

Fuel economy hints

The following suggestions will help to save your fuel. . 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 maintain 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 driver’s side. Low pressure will increase tire wear and fuel consumption. . Use the air conditioner only when necessary. . Keep the front and rear wheels in proper alignment. . Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or cargo.

Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)

WARNING

. Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dan- gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. . Always properly maintain the en- gine exhaust system to prevent engine exhaust gas from enter- ing 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 vehicle for a lengthy time while the engine is running. If that is unavoidable, then use the venti- lation 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 al- ways works properly.

. If at any time you suspect that

exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, have the problem checked and corrected as soon as possible. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with all windows fully open. . Keep the rear gate closed while driving to prevent exhaust gas from entering 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

WARNING

. 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 tempera- tures.

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

Driving tips 8-3

reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.

To avoid damage to the catalytic conver- ter: . Use only unleaded gasoline. Even a small amount of leaded gasoline will damage the catalytic 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 prevention treatment to the heat shield of catalytic converter and the exhaust sys- tem. . Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level.

The catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system. It serves as catalyst to

8-4 Driving tips

Periodic inspections

Driving in foreign countries

Driving tips for AWD vehicles

To keep your vehicle in the best condition at all times, always have the recom- mended maintenance services listed in the maintenance schedule in the “War- ranty and Maintenance Booklet” per- formed at the specified time or mileage intervals.

When planning to use your vehicle in another country: . Confirm the availability of the correct requirements” fuel. Refer section in chapter 7. . Comply with all quirements of each country.

regulations and re-

to the “Fuel

WARNING

. 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 brak- ing or under other similar condi- tions.

. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence be- cause you are driving an All- Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.

All-Wheel Drive distributes the engine

vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking, speedometer/odometer calibra- tion, and clearance between the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. . 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 may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle. . Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive. The recom- mended tire pressure is provided on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch 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. Refer to the “Towing” section in chapter 9
for detailed information.

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 accelera- tion, and added engine braking force during deceleration. Therefore, your SUBARU AWD vehicle may handle differently than an ordinary two wheel drive vehicle and it contains some features unique to AWD. For safety purposes as well as to avoid damaging the AWD system, you should keep the following 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, however, during extremely sharp turns or sudden braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. . When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, circumference, construction, brand, and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other sizes, circumferences or construction may result in severe mechan- ical damage to the drive train of your

Driving tips 8-5

On-pavement and off road driving

WARNING

. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wear- ing a seat belt. You the driver and all your passengers should fas- ten the seatbelts before starting to drive in order to minimize the chance of serious injury or death. . Do not make sharp turns and quick maneuvers unless abso- lutely unavoidable. Such actions are dangerous as you may lose control, possibly resulting in a rollover which could cause death or serious injury.

. 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 brak- ing or under other similar condi- tions.

. Whenever strong crosswinds are present, slow down sufficiently to maintain control of your vehi- cle. Remember that your vehicle, – CONTINUED –

8-6 Driving tips

with its higher profile and center of gravity, is more likely to be affected by crosswinds than or- dinary passenger cars.

. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence be- cause you are driving an All- Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.

Your vehicle is classified as a utility vehicle. Utility vehicles feature a higher ground clearance which enables them to be used for wide applications including off- road driving. But please keep in mind that your vehicle is neither a conventional off- road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. A higher center of gravity in relation to the tread width as compared with ordinary passenger cars makes vehicles of this type more likely to roll over. In reality, utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll- over rate than other types of vehicles. The high ground clearance of this vehicle is a real advantage, giving you a better view of the road and allowing you to anticipate problems earlier. However, remember that your utility vehicle is not designed for high- speed cornering comparable to ordinary passenger cars and that your vehicle could roll over if you make a sharp turn at high speed. If you do take your

SUBARU off-road, certain common sense precautions such as the following 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. Instead, 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 with your fingers and thumbs on the outside 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 vehicle and may cause it to stall. Never attempt to drive through rushing water; regardless of its depth, it can wash away the ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and even vehicle rollover. . Always check your brakes for effec- tiveness 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 flammable materials such as dry grass or fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The exhaust system is very hot while the engine is running and right after 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

under hard-driving conditions such as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that specified in the maintenance schedule described in the “Warranty and Mainte- nance Booklet”.

Remember that damage done to your SUBARU while operating it off-road and not using common sense precautions such as those listed above is not eligible for warranty coverage.

it

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 vehicle and make certain that is not piled higher than the seatbacks. During sudden stops or jolts, unsecured cargo could be thrown around in the vehicle and cause injury. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. Those loads raise the vehicle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. . If you must rock the vehicle to free it from sand or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move the selector lever back and forth 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 slippery, you can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st. . Never equip your vehicle with tires larger than those specified in this manual. . Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off- road driving. Suspension components are particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they need to be washed thoroughly. . Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle

Driving tips 8-7

Winter driving

& Operation during cold

weather

Carry some emergency equipment, such as tire chains, a window scraper, a bag of sand, flares, a small shovel, and jumper cables.

Check the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity. The battery must be in good condition to provide enough power for cold winter starts.

Use an engine oil of proper grade and viscosity for cold weather. Heavy summer oil will cause harder starting.

Keep the door

locks from freezing by

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8-8 Driving tips

squirting them with deicer or glycerin.

Forcing a frozen door open may damage or separate the rubber weather strips around the door. the door is frozen, use hot water to melt the ice, and after- wards thoroughly wipe the water away.

If

Use a windshield washer fluid that con- tains an antifreeze solution. Do not use engine antifreeze or other substitutes because 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 tem- perature varies according to how much it is diluted, as indicated in the following table.

Washer Fluid Con-

centration

Freezing Temperature

30%

50%

100%

10.48F (−128C) −48F (−208C) −498F (−458C)

In order to prevent freezing of washer fluid, check the freezing temperatures in the table above when adjusting the fluid concentration 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 temperature, it may freeze and block the nozzles.

CAUTION

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 dangerous.

While warming up the vehicle before driving, check that the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and all other controls operate smoothly.

Clear away ice and snow that has accumulated under the fenders to avoid making steering difficult. During severe

winter driving, stop when and where it is safe to do so and check under the fenders periodically. ! Parking in cold weather

WARNING

Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle if you park the vehicle in snow with the engine running.

Do not use the parking brake when parking for long periods in cold weather since it could freeze in that position. Instead, observe the following. 1. Place the selector lever in “P” position. 2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent the vehicle from moving.

When the vehicle is parked in snow or when it snows, raise the wiper blades off the glass to prevent damage to them.

When the vehicle has been left parked after use on roads heavily 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. ! 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 weather. Use only additives that are specifically designed for this purpose. When an antifreeze additive is used, its effect lasts longer if the tank is refilled whenever the fuel level reaches half empty.

If your SUBARU is not going to be used for an extended period, it is best to have the fuel tank filled to capacity. & Driving on snowy and icy

roads

WARNING

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

CAUTION

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

the foot brake, use the the into a lower gear

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 your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid the need for sudden braking. To supplement engine brake effectively to control vehicle speed. (Shift when necessary.) Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such beha- vior can cause the wheels to lock, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control. An anti-lock brake system (ABS) en- hances your vehicle’s braking perfor- mance on snowy and icy roads. Refer to the “ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)” and “Vehicle Dynamics Control system” sec- tion in chapter 7 for information on braking on slippery surfaces.

Driving tips 8-9

If

! Wiper operation when snowing Before driving in cold weather, make sure frozen to the the wiper blades are not windshield or rear window. the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield or rear window, use the defroster with the airflow control button 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 windshield despite wiper operation, use the defroster with the airflow control button in “ ” and the temperature control dial set for max- imum warmth. After the windshield 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

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8-10 Driving tips

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.

CAUTION

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 in chapter 10.

& Snow tires

WARNING

. When replacing original tires with winter (snow) tires, make sure you use only the same size and

construction as recommended. Using other sizes or construction may affect speedometer/od- ometer calibration and clearance between 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, circum- ferences, construction, brand, and load range. Mixing other sizes, circumferences or con- structions may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking and speedometer/odometer calibra- tion. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle con- trol.

. Do not use a combination of radial, belted bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous handling characteristics and lead to an accident.

Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires” which are designed to provide an adequate measure of traction, handling and braking performance in year-round driving. In winter, it may be possible to enhance performance through use of tires

designed specifically for winter driving conditions. If you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire size and type. You must install four winter tires that are of the same size, construction, brand and load range and you should never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may result in dangerous hand- ling characteristics. When you choose a tire, make sure that there is enough clearance between the tire and vehicle body.

Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of tires on your vehicle.

the type of

Your vehicle comes with P255/55R18
“all season tires” as original equip- ment. You should be aware that some winter tires with that same size desig- nation may actually be too large for the vehicle and may cause rubbing on sharp turns. Listed in the following is the winter tire size that we recommend.

Recommended winter (snow) tire size

P255/55R18 stud less

& Tire chains

Loading your vehicle

CAUTION

Tire chains cannot be used on tires listed in the following because of lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle body. All model: P255/55R18 tires

& Rocking the vehicle If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the accel- erator 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 slippery, you can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st.

to the “Automatic transmission” Refer section in chapter 7 for information on holding the transmission in 2nd position.

WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride on a folded rear seatback or in the cargo area. Doing so may result in serious injury.

WARNING

. Never stack luggage or other cargo higher than the top of the seatback because it could tumble forward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Keep luggage or cargo low, as close to the floor as

Driving tips 8-11

possible.

. 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 handles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.

. Do not place anything on the extended luggage cover. Such items could tumble forward in the event of a sudden stop or a collision. This could cause ser- ious injury.

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8-12 Driving tips

CAUTION

Do not carry spray cans, containers with flammable or corrosive liquids or any other dangerous items inside the vehicle.

NOTE For better fuel economy, do not carry unneeded cargo.

& Vehicle capacity weight

The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum load you can carry in your vehicle is shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar. It includes the total weight of the driver and all passengers and their belongings, any optional equipment such as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.

& GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating)

Certification label

The certification label attached to the driver’s side door shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of weight of the vehicle, fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any optional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore, the GVW changes de- pending on the situation.

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, either 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 vehicle scale, found at a commercial weighing station.

Do not use replacement tires with a lower load range than the originals because they may lower the GVWR and GAWR limita- tions. Replacement tires with a higher load range than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.

& Roof rails and crossbar (if

equipped)

1) Roof rails 2) Crossbar kit

CAUTION

. 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

Driving tips 8-13

the crossbars, carrying attach- ment and cargo does not exceed the maximum load limit. Over- loading may cause damage to the vehicle and create a safety hazard.

The roof rails are not designed to carry cargo by themselves. Cargo can be carried after securing the roof crossbar kit rail and installing the appropriate carrying attachment. When installing the roof crossbar kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

to the roof

When you carry cargo on the roof using the roof crossbar kit and a carrying attachment, never exceed the maximum load limit as explained below. 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). Refer to the “Loading your vehicle” section in this chapter for information on loading cargo into or onto your vehicle. The maximum load limit of the cargo, crossbars and carrying attachment must not exceed 150
lbs (68 kg). Place the heaviest load at the bottom, nearest the roof, and evenly distribute the cargo. Always properly secure all cargo.

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8-14 Driving tips

! 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- follow the manufacturer’s instruc- bars, 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 designed to carry loads (cargo and attach- ment) of not more than 150 lbs (68 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

2. Carefully raise the crossbar from roof rails.

! To install the crossbar Front crossbar: Front crossbar has 150 LBS Load Label on left-hand side.

1. Loosen and remove the T-30 torx® head screw from the top of each crossbar end support. Loosen the lower clamps.

1)

T-25 torx® head screw

1. Make sure that the T-25 torx® head screw on the back of each crossbar end support is tightened correctly. 2. 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.

3. The crossbar with the 150 LBS Load Label attached onto it is the front crossbar. An arrow is marked on the back of the front crossbar installation. Install the front crossbar so that the arrow faces the front of the vehicle.

for correct

1)

12 in (300 mm)

4. Install the front crossbar so that the crossbar end supports are located ap- proximately 12 in (300 mm) rearward from the joints between the roof rails and the front roof rail supports.

Driving tips 8-15

1) 2)

Lower clamp T-30 torx® head screw

5. Tighten the lower clamps onto the crossbar. Using a torque wrench, loosely tighten the T-30 torx® head screws. NOTE It may be necessary to squeeze the lower clamp and the end support together 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.

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8-16 Driving tips

Rear crossbar:

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. & Roof molding and crossbar

(if equipped)

6. 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).

1)

2 in (50 mm)

Install the rear crossbar so that the cross- bar end supports are located approxi- mately 2 in (50 mm) forward from the joints between the roof rails and the rear roof rail supports.

Install manner as the front crossbar.

the rear crossbar

in the same

CAUTION

Do not carry cargo on the roof when the crossbars are removed. Lug- gage on the roof will be thrown forward or backward in sudden stops or rapid accelerations, result- ing in a dangerous road hazard.

CAUTION

. For cargo carrying purposes, the roof molding must be used to- gether with a roof crossbar kit and the appropriate carrying at- tachment. Otherwise, damage to the roof or paint or a dangerous

Driving tips 8-17

! Removal and installation of the

crossbars

Each of the two roof moldings has two mounting points for crossbars. Each mounting point is fitted with a cover. Use a screwdriver to remove the covers. When installing the crossbars on the roof mold- ing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

secure all cargo. ! 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- follow the manufacturer’s instruc- bars, 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 designed to carry loads (cargo and attach- ment) of not more than 150 lbs (68 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.

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. Over- loading may cause damage to the vehicle and create a safety hazard.

Cargo can be carried after securing the roof crossbar kit to the roof molding 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 attachment, never exceed the maximum load limit as explained below. 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). Refer to the “Loading your vehicle” section in this chapter for information on loading cargo into or onto your vehicle. The maximum load limit of the cargo, crossbars and carrying attachment must not exceed 150
lbs (68 kg). Place the heaviest load at the bottom, nearest the roof, and evenly distribute the cargo. Always properly

8-18 Driving tips

Trailer hitch (if equipped)

1)

Trailer hitch

WARNING

. Never exceed the maximum weight specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident resulting in serious personal in- juries. Permissible trailer weight changes depending on the situa- tion. Refer to the next section “Trailer towing” for possible re- commendations and limitations. . Trailer brakes are required when the towing load exceeds 1,000
lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer

Maximum gross trailer weight

Maximum gross tongue weight

vehicle with- out cooling kit

vehicle with cooling kit

2,000 lbs (906 kg)

3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)

200 lbs (90 kg) 350 lbs (158 kg)

When you tow a trailer, follow the instruc- tions in the next section “Trailer towing”.

& Connecting a trailer 1. Remove the receiver cover from the hitch receiver tube. Then insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver tube.

has safety chains and that each chain will hold the trailer’s max- imum gross weight. Towing trai- lers 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 lock- ing 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 distributing hitch.

The maximum gross trailer weight and maximum gross tongue weight are indi- cated in the following table.

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

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 account; however, be careful not to let them drag on the ground.

Driving tips 8-19

WARNING

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

Hitch harness connector

Insert the safety pin into the hitch pin

3. securely. 4. Pull does not come off the hitch receiver.

to make sure it

the ball mount

8. Connect the hitch wire harness’s black four-pin wire connector to the towing trailer’s wire harness. 9. Confirm proper function of the hitch