Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid (2016 year). Instruction — part 33

crease in temperature could cause
tread separation, and failure of the
tire(s). Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to an
accident.

! Measuring and adjusting air

pressure to achieve proper in-
flation

Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and
before any long journey. Check the
tire pressures when the tires are
cold. Use a pressure gauge to
adjust the tire pressures to the
specific values. Driving even a
short distance warms up the tires
and increases the tire pressures.
Also, the tire pressures are affected
by the outside temperature. It is
best to check tire pressure out-
doors before driving the vehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air
inside it expands, causing the tire
pressure to increase. Be careful not
to mistakenly release air from a
warm tire to reduce its pressure.

& Glossary of tire terminology

.

Accessory weight

The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of automatic transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, radio,
and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether in-
stalled or not).

.

Bead

The part of the tire that is made of
steel wires, wrapped or reinforced
by ply cords and that is shaped to fit
the rim.

.

Bead separation

A breakdown of the bond between
components in the bead.

.

Bias ply tire

A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at alternate angles substantially
less than 90 degrees to the center-
line of the tread.

.

Carcass

The tire structure, except tread and

sidewall rubber which, when in-
flated, bears the load.

.

Chunking

The breaking away of pieces of the
tread or sidewall.

.

Cold tire pressure

The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more.

.

Cord

The strands forming the plies in the
tire.

.

Cord separation

The parting of cords from adjacent
rubber compounds.

.

Cracking

Any parting within the tread, side-
wall, or inner liner of the tire
extending to cord material.

.

Curb weight

The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight
optional engine.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

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13-5

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

.

Extra load tire

A tire designed to operate at higher
loads and higher inflation pressure
than the corresponding standard
tire.

.

Groove

The space between two adjacent
tread ribs.

.

Innerliner

The layer(s) forming the inside sur-
face of a tubeless tire that contains
the inflating medium within the tire.

.

Innerliner separation

The parting of the innerliner from
cord material in the carcass.

.

Intended outboard sidewall

(1)

The sidewall that contains a

whitewall, bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same molding on the other side-
wall of the tire, or

(2)

The outward facing sidewall

of an asymmetrical tire that has
a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mount-

ing on a vehicle.

.

Light truck (LT) tire

A tire designated by its manufac-
turer as primarily intended for use
on lightweight trucks or multipur-
pose passenger vehicles.

.

Load rating

The maximum load that a tire is
rated to carry for a given inflation
pressure.

.

Maximum inflation pressure

The maximum cold inflation pres-
sure to which a tire may be inflated.

.

Maximum load rating

The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.

.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight

The sum of:

(a)

Curb weight

(b)

Accessory weight

(c)

Vehicle capacity weight

(d)

Production options weight

.

Maximum permissible inflation

pressure

The maximum cold inflation pres-
sure to which a tire may be inflated.

.

Measuring rim

The rim on which a tire is fitted for
physical dimension requirements.

.

Normal occupant weight

150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants specified in the second
column of Table 1 that is appended
to the end of this section.

.

Occupant distribution

Distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle as specified in the third column
of Table 1 that is appended to the
end of this section.

.

Open splice

Any parting at any junction of tread,
sidewall, or innerliner that extends
to cord material.

.

Outer diameter

The overall diameter of an inflated
new tire.

.

Overall width

The linear distance between the
exteriors of the sidewalls of an
inflated tire, including elevations
due to labeling, decorations, or
protective bands or ribs.

13-6

.

Passenger car tire

A tire intended for use on passen-
ger cars, multipurpose passenger
vehicles, and trucks, that have a
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
of 10,000 lbs (4,535 kg) or less.

.

Ply

A layer of rubber-coated parallel
cords.

.

Ply separation

A parting of rubber compound
between adjacent plies.

.

Pneumatic tire

A mechanical device made of rub-
ber, chemicals, fabric and steel or
o t h e r m a t e r i a l s , t h a t , w h e n
mounted on an automotive wheel,
provides the traction and contains
the gas or fluid that sustains the
load.

.

Production options weight

The combined weight of those
installed regular production options
weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in
excess of those standard items
which they replace, not previously
considered in curb weight or acces-

sory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,
heavy duty battery, and special
trim.

.

Radial ply tire

A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at substantially 90 degrees to
the centerline of the tread.

.

Recommended inflation pres-

sure

The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer.

.

Reinforced tire

A tire designed to operate at higher
loads and at higher inflation pres-
sures than the corresponding stan-
dard tire.

.

Rim

A metal support for a tire or a tire
and tube assembly upon which the
tire beads are seated.

.

Rim diameter

Nominal diameter of the bead seat.

.

Rim size designation

Rim diameter and width.

.

Rim type designation

The industry of manufacturer

’s des-

ignation for a rim by style or code.

.

Rim width

Nominal distance between rim
flanges.

.

Section width

The linear distance between the
exteriors of the sidewalls of an
inflated tire, excluding elevations
due to labeling, decoration, or
protective bands.

.

Sidewall

That portion of a tire between the
tread and bead.

.

Sidewall separation

The parting of the rubber com-
pound from the cord material in
the sidewall.

.

Test rim

The rim on which a tire is fitted for
testing, and it may be any rim listed
as appropriate for use with that tire.

.

Tread

That portion of a tire that comes
into contact with the road.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

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13-7

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

.

Tread rib

A tread section running circumfer-
entially around a tire.

.

Tread separation

Pulling away of the tread from the
tire carcass.

.

Treadwear indicators (TWI)

The projections within the principal
grooves designed to give a visual
indication of the degrees of wear of
the tread.

.

Vehicle capacity weight

The rated cargo and luggage load
plus 150 lbs (68 kg) times the
vehicle

’s designated seating capa-

city.

.

Vehicle maximum load on the

tire

Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the maximum
loaded vehicle weight and dividing
by two.

.

Vehicle normal load on the tire

Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,

accessory weight, and normal oc-
cupant weight (distributed in accor-
dance with Table 1 that is ap-
pended to the end of this section)
and dividing by 2.

.

Wheel-holding fixture

The fixture used to hold the wheel
and tire assembly securely during
testing.

13-8

Table 1

— Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for

various designated seating capacities

Designated seating

capacity, number of

occupants

Vehicle normal load,

number of occupants

Occupant distribution in a

normally loaded vehicle

2 through 4

2

2 in front.

5 through 10

3

2 in front, 1 in second
seat.

11 through 15

5

2 in front, 1 in second
seat, 1 in third seat, 1 in
fourth seat.

16 through 22

7

2 in front, 2 in second
seat, 2 in third seat, 1 in
fourth seat.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

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13-9

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

& Tire care – maintenance and

safety practices

.

Check on a daily basis that the

tires are free from serious damage,
nails, and stones. At the same time,
check the tires for abnormal wear.

.

Inspect the tire tread regularly

and replace the tires before their
tread wear indicators become visi-
ble. When a tire

’s tread wear

indicator becomes visible, the tire
is worn beyond the acceptable limit
and must be replaced immediately.
With a tire in this condition, driving
at even low speeds in wet weather
can cause the vehicle to hydro-
plane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to an
accident.

.

To maximize the life of each tire

and ensure that the tires wear
uniformly, it is best to rotate the
tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
For information about the tire rota-
tion order, refer to

“Tire rotation”

F11-26

.

Replace any damaged or

unevenly worn tires at the time of

rotation. After tire rotation, adjust
the tire pressures and make sure
the wheel nuts are correctly tigh-
tened. For information about the
tightening torque and tightening
sequence for the wheel nuts, refer
to

“In case of a flat tire” F9-4

.

& Vehicle load limit – how to

determine

The load capacity of your vehicle is
determined by weight, not by avail-
able cargo space. The load limit of
your vehicle is shown on the
vehicle placard attached to the
driver

’s side door pillar. Locate the

statement

“The combined weight of

occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs

” on your

vehicle

’s placard.

The vehicle placard also shows
seating capacity of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the
total weight of driver and all pas-
sengers and their belongings, any
cargo, any optional equipment such
as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike

carrier, etc., and the tongue load of
a trailer. Therefore cargo capacity
can be calculated by the following
method.

Cargo capacity = Load limit

− (total

weight of occupants + total weight
of optional equipment + tongue
load of a trailer (if applicable))

For information about vehicle load-
ing, refer to

“Loading your vehicle”

F8-11

.

NOTE
Your vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to be used for
trailer towing. Therefore, never
tow a trailer with your vehicle.

13-10

! Calculating total and load ca-

pacities varying seating con-
figurations

Calculate the available load capa-
city as shown in the following
examples:

Example 1A

Vehicle capacity weight of the
vehicle is 900 lbs (408 kg), which
is indicated on the vehicle placard
with the statement

“The combined

weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed 900 lbs or
408 kg

”.

For example, if the vehicle has one

occupant weighing 154 lbs (70 kg)
plus cargo weighing 662 lbs (300
kg).

1.

Calculate the total weight.

2.

Calculate the available load ca-

pacity by subtracting the total
weight from the vehicle capacity
weight of 900 lbs (408 kg).

3.

The result of step 2 shows that a

further 84 lbs (38 kg) of cargo can
be carried.

Example 1B

For example, if a person weighing
176 lbs (80 kg) now enters the
same vehicle (bringing the number
of occupants to two), the calcula-
tions are as follows.

1.

Calculate the total weight.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

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13-11

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

2.

Calculate the available load ca-

pacity.

3.

The total weight now exceeds

the capacity weight by 92 lbs (42
kg), so the cargo weight must be
reduced by 92 lbs (42 kg) or more.

Example 2A

Vehicle capacity weight of the
vehicle is 900 lbs (408 kg), which
is indicated on the vehicle placard

with the statement

“The combined

weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed 408 kg or
900 lbs

”.

For example, the vehicle has one
occupant weighing 165 lbs (75 kg)
plus cargo weighing 375 lbs (170
kg). In addition, the vehicle is fitted
with a trailer hitch weighing 22 lbs
(10 kg), to which is attached a
trailer weighing 1,764 lbs (800 kg).
10% of the trailer weight is applied
to the trailer tongue (i.e. Tongue
load = 176 lbs (80 kg)).

1.

Calculate the total weight.

2.

Calculate the available load ca-

pacity.

3.

The result of step 2 shows that a

further 162 lbs (73 kg) of cargo can
be carried.

NOTE
Your vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to be used for
trailer towing. Therefore, never
tow a trailer with your vehicle.

13-12

Example 2B

For example, if a person weighing
143 lbs (65 kg) and a child weighing
40 lbs (18 kg) now enter the same
vehicle (bringing the number of
occupants to three), and a child
restraint system weighing 11 lbs (5
kg) is installed in the vehicle for the
child to use, the calculations are as
follows.

1.

Calculate the total weight.

2.

Calculate the available load ca-

pacity.

3.

The total weight now exceeds

the capacity weight by 32 lbs (15
kg), so the cargo weight must be
reduced by 32 lbs (15 kg) or more.

NOTE
Your vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to be used for
trailer towing. Therefore, never
tow a trailer with your vehicle.

& Determining compatibility of

tire and vehicle load capaci-
ties

The sum of four tires

’ maximum

load ratings must exceed the max-
imum loaded vehicle weight
(

“GVWR”). In addition, sum of the

maximum load ratings of two front
tires and of two rear tires must
exceed each axle

’s maximum

loaded capacity (

“GAWR”). Original

equipment tires are designed to
fulfill those conditions.
The maximum loaded vehicle
weight is referred to Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). And each
axle

’s maximum loaded capacity is

referred to Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing (GAWR). The GVWR and each
axle

’s GAWR are shown on the

vehicle certification label located at
the bottom of driver

’s side door

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

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13-13

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information

pillar.
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehi-
cle

’s suspension, axles and other

parts of the body.
Therefore, this means that the
vehicle cannot necessarily be
loaded up to the tire

’s maximum

load rating on the tire sidewall.

& Adverse safety conse-

quences of overloading on
handling and stopping and
on tires

Overloading could affect vehicle
handling, stopping distance, and
vehicle and tire performance in the
following ways. This could lead to
an accident and possibly result in
severe personal injury.

.

Vehicle stability will deteriorate.

.

Heavy and/or high-mounted

loads could increase the risk of
rollover.

.

Stopping distance will increase.

.

Brakes could overheat and fail.

.

Suspension, bearings, axles and

other body parts could break or
experience accelerated wear that
will shorten vehicle life.

.

Tires could fail.

.

Tread separation could occur.

.

Tire could separate from its rim.

& Steps for Determining Cor-

rect Load Limit

1.

Locate the statement

“The com-

bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.

” on your vehicle’s

placard.

2.

Determine the combined weight

of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.

3.

Subtract the combined weight of

the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.

4.

The resulting figure equals the

available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the

“XXX” amount equals

1400 lbs. and there will be five 150

lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400

− 750 (5 6 150) = 650 lbs.)

5.

Determine the combined weight

of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.

6.

If your vehicle will be towing a

trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this instruction to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your ve-
hicle.

NOTE
Your vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to be used for
trailer towing. Therefore, never
tow a trailer with your vehicle.

13-14

Uniform tire quality grading
standards

This information indicates the rela-
tive performance of passenger car
tires in the area of treadwear,
traction, and temperature resis-
tance. This is to aid the consumer
in making an informed choice in the
purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maxi-
mum section width. For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A

The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passen-
ger cars. However, they do not
apply to deep tread, winter type
snow tires, space-saver or tempor-
ary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 12 inches
or less, or to some limited produc-
tion tires.

All passenger car tires must con-

form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.

& Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1-
1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.

& Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire

’s ability to

stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on spe-

cified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplan-
ing, or peak traction charac-
teristics.

& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire

’s resistance to the generation of

heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor labora-
tory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Uniform tire quality grading standards

– CONTINUED –

13-15

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.)

grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure.

Reporting safety defects
(U.S.A.)

If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehi-
cles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Subaru of
America, Inc. To contact NHTSA,
you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to: Administrator, NHTSA, 1200

New Jersey Avenue, SE, West
Building, Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other informa-
tion about motor vehicle safety
from http://www.safercar.gov.

13-16