Subaru Forester (2022 year). Manual in english — page 26
(414,1)
8-8. On-road and off-road
driving
WARNING
.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted
person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wear-
ing a seatbelt. The driver and all
passengers should fasten their
seatbelts before starting to drive
in order to minimize the chance
of serious injury or death.
.
Do not make sharp turns or quick
maneuvers unless absolutely un-
avoidable. Such actions are dan-
gerous, as you may lose control,
possibly resulting in a rollover
which could cause death or ser-
ious 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,
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 model could easily
lead to a serious accident.
.
Never attempt to drive through
pools and puddles, or roads
flooded with water. Water enter-
ing the engine air intake or the
exhaust pipe or water splashing
onto electrical parts may damage
your vehicle and may cause it to
stall. In this case, contact your
SUBARU dealer immediately. Re-
gardless of its depth, it can wash
away the ground from under your
tires, resulting in possible loss of
traction and even vehicle roll-
over.
CAUTION
.
After driving on gravel roads or
rough roads, check the under-
carriage of the vehicle body for
any damage, deformation, or
paint removal. If you notice any
irregularities, contact a SUBARU
dealer for an inspection as soon
as possible.
.
Frequent driving of an AWD mod-
el under hard-driving conditions
such as rough roads or off roads
will necessitate more frequent
replacement of the following
items than that specified in the
maintenance schedule described
in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”.
– Engine oil
– Brake fluid
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.
Your vehicle is classified as a utility
vehicle. A utility vehicle features a high
ground clearance and may be equipped
with off-road tires (Subaru Forester
Wilderness models only), which enable
the vehicle to be used for a wider range of
applications. Because of the AWD feature
and higher ground clearance, you can
drive your SUBARU on ordinary roads or
off-road. It handles and maneuvers differ-
On-road and off-road driving
412
(415,1)
ently from many passenger vehicles both
on-road and off-road, so take time to
become familiar with your vehicle. Note,
however, that your vehicle is not a con-
ventional off-road vehicle or an all-terrain
vehicle, and it should not be operated like
one. 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 those in the following list should be
taken.
&
Before driving
.
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.
.
Secure all cargo carried inside the
vehicle 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
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.
.
Never equip your vehicle with tires
larger than those specified in this manual.
&
During driving
General precautions:
.
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.
.
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 the engine
stops. This could create a fire hazard.
Precautions when driving under espe-
cially dangerous situations:
.
When driving over bumps in the road,
drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the
vehicle, etc.
.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from sand or mud, depress the accelerator
pedal slightly and move the select 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.
.
Do not perform the following opera-
tions. Doing so may cause the transmis-
sion to overheat or malfunction.
– Depressing the accelerator pedal
and brake pedal at the same time while
the select lever is in a position other
than “P” or “N”.
– Depressing the accelerator to hold
the vehicle in a stationary position
– CONTINUED –
On-road and off-road driving
413
8
Driving
tips
(416,1)
while on a slope and while the select
lever is in a position other than “P” or
“N”.
– Trying repeatedly to drive over a
bump that the vehicle cannot climb
over.
.
When the road surface is extremely
slippery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission in
2nd than 1st. Refer to “Selection of manual
mode”
.
Do not rotate the tires at a high speed if
the vehicle is stuck due to muddy, snowy,
icy, or similar low-traction conditions, or if
any tire is not touching the ground. Doing
so may cause the tires to burst or lead to
an accident due to abnormal overheating
or damage to drivetrain components.
.
On rough roads and roads with large
undulations, have a leader guide you, or
check the road surface in advance to
select a road where the ground will not
come in contact with the undercarriage of
the vehicle body.
Drive the vehicle at 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less. If you hear any abnormal noise while
driving, contact a SUBARU dealer for an
inspection as soon as possible.
.
Do not allow the vehicle tires to be
submerged in deep sand, a river, or sea-
water. If you have to drive under these
conditions, thoroughly wash the vehicle
after driving. If you hear any abnormal
noise while driving, contact a SUBARU
dealer for an inspection as soon as
possible.
.
If the wheels are stuck, cutting the
steering wheel at a sharp angle may cause
the steering components to be deformed.
If you hear any abnormal noise while
driving or if you notice any abnormalities
due to rough running, contact a SUBARU
dealer for an inspection as soon as
possible.
.
Avoid driving over curbs. Tires, wheels,
suspensions, and the mechanical compo-
nents under the vehicle body may be
unnoticeably damaged by the impact of
striking a curb or driving on a rough road. If
driving over a curb is unavoidable, ride
over it slowly and at a right angle to the
curb. When parking your vehicle, make
sure that the tires are not pressed against
the curb.
.
Do not drive for a long time while the
vehicle is tilted to the left or right.
&
After driving
.
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.
.
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-
body. 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.
.
Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off-
road driving. Suspension components are
particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they
need to be washed thoroughly.
On-road and off-road driving
414
(417,1)
8-9. Winter driving
&
Operation during cold weath-
er
!
Maintenance
Carry some emergency equipment, such
as 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
provide enough power for cold winter
starts.
It normally takes longer to start the engine
in very cold weather conditions. Use an
engine oil of a proper grade and viscosity
for cold weather. Using heavy summer oil
will make it harder to start the engine.
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
because they may damage the paint of
the vehicle.
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 concen-
tration appropriately for the out-
side temperature. If the concen-
tration is inappropriate, sprayed
washer fluid may freeze on the
windshield and obstruct your
view, and the fluid may freeze in
the reservoir tank.
.
State or local regulations on
volatile organic compounds may
restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer anti-
freeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol anti-
freeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging
your vehicle’s paint, wiper blades
or washer system.
!
Before driving your vehicle
Before entering the vehicle, remove any
snow or ice from your shoes because that
could make the pedals slippery and driving
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 accu-
mulated 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.
– CONTINUED –
Winter driving
415
8
Driving
tips
(418,1)
CAUTION
.
Do not use the parking brake
when parking for long periods in
cold weather since it could freeze
in that position.
.
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, brake hoses or ABS
harness.
When parking for long periods in cold
weather, you should observe the following
tips.
1. Place the select lever in the “P”
position.
2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent
the vehicle from moving.
!
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 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.
!
Opening rear gate (models with
power rear gate)
CAUTION
Before operating the power rear
gate, check that there is no frost or
snow between the power rear gate
and the vehicle body. If you notice
frost or snow etc. on the power rear
gate, remove it. If you forcibly oper-
ate the power rear gate with frost or
snow, it may cause a malfunction.
&
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
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
to avoid the need for sudden braking.
To supplement the foot brake, use the
engine brake effectively to control the
vehicle speed. (Shift into a lower gear
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. For
information on braking on slippery sur-
faces, refer to “ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System)”
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads such as snowy or icy
roads. This may cause loss of vehi-
cle control.
Winter driving
416
(419,1)
CAUTION
Avoid prolonged continuous driving
in snowstorms. Snow will enter the
engine’s intake system and may
hinder the airflow, which could re-
sult in engine shutdown or even
breakdown.
!
Wiper operation when snowing
Before driving in cold weather, make sure
the wiper blade rubbers are not frozen to
the windshield or rear window.
If the wiper blade rubbers are frozen to the
windshield or rear window, perform the
following procedure.
.
To thaw the windshield wiper blade
rubbers, use the defroster with the airflow
selection in “
” and the temperature set
for maximum warmth until the wiper blade
rubbers are completely thawed. Refer to
“Climate control”
.
If your vehicle is equipped with a wiper
deicer, use it. It is helpful to thaw the
windshield wiper blade rubbers. Refer to
“Defogger and deicer”
.
To thaw the rear wiper blade rubbers,
use the rear window defogger. Refer to
“Defogger and deicer”
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 selection in “
” and the
temperature set for maximum warmth.
After the windshield gets warmed enough
to melt the frozen snow on it, wash it away
using the windshield washer. Refer to
“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. Refer
to “Hazard warning flasher”
!
Lighting operation when snowing
Check that the headlights are clean before
driving. If snow, frost or ice are attached to
the headlights, remove it.
If the headlights are not clean, they will not
light the front normally. Also if the indica-
tors and brake lamps are not clean, the
vehicle will not be able to inform its status
to other drivers and it may result in an
accident.
&
Corrosion protection
Refer to “Corrosion protection”
&
Snow tires
WARNING
.
When replacing or installing win-
ter tire(s), all four tires must be
the same for following items.
(a) Size
(b) Speed symbol
(c) Load index
(d) Circumference
(e) Construction
(f) Manufacturer
(g) Brand (tread pattern)
(h) Degrees of wear
For the items (a) to (c), you must
obey the specification that is
printed on the tire inflation pres-
sure label. The tire inflation pres-
sure label is located on the dri-
ver’s door pillar.
If all the four tires are not the
same for items (a) to (h), serious
mechanical damage could be
caused to the drivetrain of the
car, and affect the followings.
– Ride
– Handling
– Braking
– CONTINUED –
Winter driving
417
8
Driving
tips
(420,1)
– Speedometer/Odometer cali-
bration
– Clearance between the body
and tires
It also may be dangerous and
lead to loss of vehicle control,
and it can lead to an accident.
.
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” as original equipment, which are
designed to provide an adequate measure
of traction, handling and braking perfor-
mance in year-round driving. In winter, it
may be possible to enhance performance
through use of tires designed specifically
for winter driving conditions.
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 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 the type of tires on your
vehicle.
&
Tire chains
CAUTION
Tire chains cannot be used on your
vehicle because of the lack of clear-
ance between the tires and vehicle
body.
NOTE
When tire chains cannot be used, use of
another type of traction device (such as
spring chains) may be acceptable if use
on your vehicle is recommended by the
device manufacturer, taking into ac-
count tire size and road conditions.
Follow the device manufacturer’s in-
structions, especially regarding max-
imum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle,
and do not spin your wheels. Damage
caused to your vehicle by use of a
traction device is not covered under
warranty.
Make certain that any traction device
you use is an SAE class S device, and
use it on the front wheels only. Always
use the utmost care when driving with a
traction device. Overconfidence be-
cause you are using a traction device
could easily lead to a serious accident.
&
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 select
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.
For information about holding the trans-
mission in the 2nd position, refer to
“Selection of manual mode”
Winter driving
418
(421,1)
8-10. Loading your vehicle
WARNING
.
Never allow passengers to ride
on a folded rear seatback in the
cargo area. Doing so may result
in serious injury.
.
Never stack luggage or other
cargo higher than the top of the
seatback because it could tumble
forward and injure passengers in
the event of a sudden stop or
accident. Keep luggage or cargo
low, as close to the floor as
possible.
WARNING
.
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 cargo area cover. Such
items could tumble forward in the
event of a sudden stop or a
collision. This could cause ser-
ious injury.
CAUTION
Do not carry spray cans, containers
with flammable or corrosive liquids
or any other dangerous items inside
the vehicle.
NOTE
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded cargo.
&
Vehicle capacity weight
– CONTINUED –
Loading your vehicle
419
8
Driving
tips
(422,1)
Vehicle placard
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 Ve-
hicle Weight Rating and
Gross Axle Weight Rating)
Certification label
The certification label attached to the
bottom of driver’s side door pillar 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. The GVWR
equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle – including standard equipment,
fluids, emergency tools and spare tire
assembly) 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,
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.
Loading your vehicle
420
(423,1)
&
Roof rails (if equipped)
1)
Roof rails
Cargo can be carried on the roof after
securing the crossbars to the roof rails and
installing an appropriate carrying attach-
ment. When installing crossbars and a
carrying attachment, follow the manufac-
turer’s instructions. The roof rail system is
designed to carry loads (cargo, crossbars
and carrying attachment) of no more than
176 lbs (80 kg)
. Be sure not to exceed
your vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.
CAUTION
.
When using a carrying attach-
ment, make sure that the total
carrying load of the cargo, cross-
bars and carrying attachment
does not exceed 176 lbs (80 kg).
Overloading may cause damage
to the vehicle. Read the manufac-
turer’s instructions and pay at-
tention to not exceed the load
limit of the parts.
.
For cargo carrying purposes, the
roof rails must be used together
with the SUBARU recommended
crossbars and any appropriate
carrying attachment that may be
needed. The roof rails 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.
NOTE
Remember that the vehicle’s center of
gravity is altered with the weight of the
load on the roof, thus affecting driving
characteristics.
Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard
cornering and abrupt stops. Crosswind
effects will be increased.
&
Roof tent (models with roof
rails)
WARNING
Adding weight to the vehicle’s roof
can adversely affect handling, brak-
ing, and rollover resistance. The
vehicle must never be driven with a
total roof rail load in excess of 176
lbs (80 kg).
CAUTION
.
The roof rail load limit for sta-
tionary vehicles (700 lbs (317 kg)
(for Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg)
( f o r
S u b a r u
F o r e s t e r
Wilderness)) applies only when
– CONTINUED –
Loading your vehicle
421
8
Driving
tips
(424,1)
the vehicle is parked and the load
is evenly distributed left/right and
front/rear and the roof crossbars
and roof tent are tightly secured
to the vehicle. If these conditions
are not met, the load limit will be
lower.
.
The maximum load limit of the
roof crossbars must be obtained
from the manufacturer or retailer
of the roof rack. When driving the
vehicle, the maximum roof rail
load is 176 lbs (80 kg) or the
crossbar load limit (whichever is
lower).
.
Roof tents can only be used on
vehicles originally equipped with
roof rails. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle’s roof may occur.
On vehicles equipped with roof rails, roof
tents may be used under certain condi-
tions at your own risk.
!
When driving the vehicle
The total weight on the roof rails, including
the roof crossbars and roof tent, must not
exceed the vehicle’s roof rail load of 176
lbs (80 kg), evenly distributed.
A:
Roof rails
B:
Roof crossbars
C:
Roof tent
B + C < 176 lbs (80 kg)
!
When the vehicle is parked on level
ground
A:
Roof rails
B:
Roof crossbars
C:
Roof tent
D:
Occupants in the roof tent
Loading your vehicle
422
(425,1)
The total weight on the roof rails –
including the roof crossbars, roof tent,
and all occupants and contents in the roof
tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s
roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg) (for
Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) (for Subaru
Forester Wilderness)), evenly distributed,
or the load limit of the roof crossbars,
whichever is lower.
Load limit of the roof rail (A).
Forester: B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg)
Subaru Forester Wilderness: B + C + D
< 800 lbs (360 kg)
Exceeding this load limit could cause
damage to the vehicle or racking system.
The vehicle must never be driven with
occupants in the roof tent. Before the
vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo
must be removed from the roof tent and
the roof rail load must be restored to within
the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg).
Refer to the user manual that accompa-
nied the roof tent for important safety
information and instructions on the proper
installation and use of the tent.
8-11. Trailer hitch (dealer op-
tion)
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. For possible recommenda-
tions and limitations, refer to
“Trailer towing”
.
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 cre-
ate 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.
.
Although towing regulations for
trailer or caravan vehicles vary
by state/region, all regulations
agree that specifications such
as the maximum gross trailer
weight must not exceed the les-
ser of the following:
– Maximum gross trailer weight
–
M a x i m u m g r o s s t o n g u e
weight
– GVWR
– GAWR
.
Failure to comply with the proce-
dures set forth will not only
compromise your safety, but will
also negate your insurance cov-
erage and/or may violate the state
road and traffic acts and regula-
tions.
.
Use only the recommended
SUBARU ball mount that has
been designed to work with this
trailer hitch. Use the hitch only as
a weight carrying hitch. Do not
use with any type of weight dis-
tributing hitch.
.
The standard bumper beam must
be installed after you remove the
– CONTINUED –
Trailer hitch (dealer option)
423
8
Driving
tips
(426,1)
trailer hitch. Consult a SUBARU
dealer for purchase of a standard
bumper beam if you do not have
the original.
.
Safety performance is decreased
and there is increased risk of
injury to passengers in the case
of an accident if the trailer hitch
or a standard bumper beam is not
installed. One of them must al-
ways be installed on the vehicle.
.
If a trailer hitch is installed, it is
not possible to install the rear
towing hook.
The maximum gross trailer weight and
maximum gross tongue weight are indi-
cated in the following table.
When towing a trailer with brakes
Maximum
gross trailer
weight
Maximum
gross tongue
weight
Except for
Subaru
Forester
Wilderness
1,500 lbs (680
kg)
150 lbs (68
kg)
For Subaru
Forester
Wilderness
3,000 lbs
(1,360 kg)
300 lbs (136
kg)
When towing a trailer without brakes
Maximum gross trai-
ler weight
Maximum gross ton-
gue weight
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
When towing a trailer, refer to “Trailer
towing”
&
Connecting a trailer
1)
Ball mount
2)
Hitch pin
3)
Safety pin
A)
Hitch receiver tube
1. Insert the ball mount into the hitch
Trailer hitch (dealer option)
424
(427,1)
receiver tube.
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole located
on the hitch receiver tube so that the pin
passes through the ball mount.
3. Insert the safety pin through the pro-
vided hole on the hitch pin securely.
4. Check the ball mount assembly by
pulling on it to make sure it does not come
off the hitch receiver.
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 account;
however, be careful not to let them drag on
the ground.
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to any
part of the vehicle other than the
safety chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch electrical wire har-
ness’s black four-pin electrical wire con-
nector to the towing trailer’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
electrical wire harness by individually and
combination activating the brake, stop and
turn signal lights on the trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer electrical
wire harness before launching or re-
trieving a watercraft.
&
If not towing a trailer
.
Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube.
.
Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch electrical wire
harness to protect against possible da-
mage.
.
Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal grease.
Trailer hitch (dealer option)
425
8
Driving
tips
(428,1)
8-12. 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 safety
and satisfaction depend upon proper use
of correct equipment and cautious opera-
tion of your vehicle.
Seek the advice of your SUBARU dealer to
assist you in purchasing a hitch and other
necessary towing equipment appropriate
for your vehicle. Do not use towing equip-
ment other than genuine SUBARU towing
equipment. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions for proper installation and
use provided by the trailer or caravan’s
manufacturer.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any
errors or omissions in the instructions
accompanying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
Regularly check that the hitch mounting
bolts and nuts are tightened securely.
&
Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to tow
a trailer, more frequent maintenance will
be required due to the additional load.
(Refer to “Maintenance schedule under
severe driving conditions” in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer be
towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new powertrain component (engine,
transmission, differential, wheel bearings,
etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving.
&
Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following.
Exceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.
CAUTION
.
Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight.
.
Before towing a trailer, check the
trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs
and tongue load. Make sure the
load and its distribution in your
vehicle and trailer are acceptable.
!
Total trailer weight
Total trailer weight
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo load) must never exceed the
maximum total trailer weight in the follow-
ing table.
Trailer towing
426
(429,1)
Conditions
Maximum total trailer weight
For Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Except for Subaru Forester
Wilderness
When towing a trailer with
brakes
3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)
1,500 lbs (680 kg)
When towing a trailer without
brakes
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
When towing a trailer on an
uphill grade continuously for
over 5 miles (8 km) with an
outside temperature of 104
8
F
(40
8
C) or above
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
!
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Vehicle Weight
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the com-
bined total of the weight of the vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch,
trailer tongue load and any other optional
equipment installed on your vehicle.
Therefore, the GVW changes depending
on the situation. Determine the GVW each
time before going on a trip by putting your
vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
427
8
Driving
tips
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