2003 SUBARU BAJA weight

Driving tips8-27
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CONTINUED –
HB8043BA
HB8039BB
To check both GVWR and GAWR and to confirm that the total weight
and weight distribution are within safe driving limits, you should have
your vehicle and trailer weighed at a commercial weighing station.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight
distribution while driving. n
Tongue load
WARNING
If the trailer is loaded with more weight in the back of trailer ’s
axle than in the front, the load is taken off the rear axle of the tow- ing vehicle. This may cause the rear wheels to skid, especiallyduring braking or when vehicle speed is reduced during corner-
ing, resulting in over-steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from 8 to 11 percent of the total
trailer weight and does not exceed the maximum value of 200 lbs (90kg).
The tongue load can be weighed with a bathroom scale as shown in
the illustration below. When weighing the tongue load, be sure to posi-
tion the towing coupler at the height at which it would be during
actual towing, using a jack as shown.

8-28
HB8040BB
Tongue load
OM-H2785
The tongue load can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in
the trailer. Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in
the front; approximately 60 percent of the trailer load should be in the
front and approximately 40 percent in the rear. Also, distribute theload as evenly as possible on both the left and right sides.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight
distribution while driving.
OM-H2787

8-30
Connecting a trailer
n Trailer brakes
WARNING
Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and
its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight. Do not directly connect your trailer ’s hydraulic brake system
to the hydraulic brake system in your vehicle. Direct connectionwould cause the vehicle ’s brake performance to deteriorate and
could lead to an accident.
If your trailer ’s total weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight)
exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg), the trailer is required to be equipped with
its own brake system. Electric brakes or surge brakes are recom-
mended, and must be installed properly. Check that your trailer ’s
brakes conform with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable
regulations. Your SUBARU ’s brake system is not designed to be
tapped into the trailer ’s hydraulic brake system. Please ask your
SUBARU dealer and professional trailer supplier for more information
about the trailer ’s brake system.
n Trailer safety chains
WARNING
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer.
Towing trailer without safety chains could create a traffic safetyhazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling dam-age or hitch ball damage.
In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch ball should break or
become disconnected, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic
safety hazard.
For safety, always connect the towing vehicle and trailer with trailer
safety chains. Pass the chains crossing each other under the trailer
tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping onto the ground in case
the trailer tongue should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow suffi-

Driving tips8-33
–
CONTINUED –
nBefore starting out on a trip
Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-hitch mounting are in good
condition. If any problems are apparent, do not tow the trailer. Check that the vehicle sits horizontally with the trailer attached. If
the vehicle is tipped sharply up at the front and down at the rear,
check the total trailer weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load again,
then confirm that the load and its distribution are acceptable. Check that the tire pressures are correct.
Check that the vehicle and trailer are connected properly. Confirm
that. – the trailer tongue is connected properly to the hitch ball.
– the trailer lights connector is connected properly and trailer ’s
brake lights illuminate when the vehicle ’s brake pedal is pressed,
and that the trailer ’s turn signal lights flash when the vehicle ’s turn
signal lever is operated.– the safety chains are connected properly.
– all cargo in the trailer is secured safety in position.
– the side mirrors provide a good rearward field of view without a
significant blind spot.
Sufficient time should be taken to learn the “feel” of the vehicle/
trailer combination before starting out on a trip. In an area free of traf-
fic, practice turning, stopping and backing up. n Driving with a trailer
You should allow for considerably more stopping distance when
towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may result in skid-
ding or jackknifing and loss of control. Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accelerations. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, always start out in first gear and release the
clutch at moderate engine revolution. Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and rapid lane changes.
Slow down before turning. Make a longer than normal turning
radius because the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle
wheels to the inside of the turn. In a tight turn, the trailer could hit yourvehicle. Crosswinds will adversely affect the handling of your vehicle and

8-34
trailer, causing sway. Crosswinds can be due to weather conditions or
the passing of large trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the
steering wheel and slow down immediately but gradually.When passing other vehicles, considerable distance is required
because of the added weight and length caused by attaching the
trailer to your vehicle. Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes practice. When back-
ing up with a trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly. When turning
back, grip the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand and turn it
to the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right for a right turn.
Left turn Right turn
OM-H2791
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the vehicle is in motion,
stop towing the trailer and have repairs performed immediately by the
nearest SUBARU dealer. n Driving on grades
Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift into lower gear
(if necessary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the engine braking effect
and prevent overheating of your vehicle ’s brakes. Do not make sud-
den downshifts. When driving uphill in hot weather, the air conditioner may turn off
automatically to protect the engine from overheating. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to the water tem-
perature gauge pointer (for all vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP warning
light (for AT vehicles) since the engine and transmission are relatively
prone to overheating under these conditions. If the water temperature

11-44
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged easily. Handle them
carefully to maintain their appearance, performance, and safety. When any of the wheels is removed and replaced for tire rotation or to
change a flat, always check the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving
approximatly 600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to the
specified torque. Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or tapered surface
of the wheel. Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or curbs.
Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely around the tire,
otherwise the chains may scratch the wheel. When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center cap is replaced, be
sure to replace them with genuine SUBARU parts designed for aluminumwheels.
Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid because it could cause paint damage.
Check the level of the washer fluid at each fuel stop. If the level is low, fill
the fluid up to the neck of the reservoir.Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer fluid is unavailable use
clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-freeze type windshield
washer fluid. SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl
alcohol and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temperature varies
according to how much it is diluted, as indicated below.

14-4
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) 1-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 12-2
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Engine compartment overview 11-7
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Engine coolant 11-14
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Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5
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Engine oil 11-8
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Engine overheating 9-21
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Exterior care 10-2
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F
Fastening the seatbelt 1-17
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Flat tires 9-11
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Floor mat (if equipped) 6-14
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Fog light switch (if equipped) 3-22
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Folding down the rear seat 1-10
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Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front fog light 11-56
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Front seatbelt pretensioners 1-22
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Front seats 1-2
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Front turn signal light, parking light and side marker light 11-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 7-2
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Fuel economy hints 8-2
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Fuel filler door and cap 7-4
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Fuel gauge 3-9
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Fuel requirements 7-2
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Fuse panel located behind the coin tray 12-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment 12-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 11-49
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Fuses and circuits 12-4
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GGlove box 6-5
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GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-18 . . .

Index14-9
Treadwear 13-2
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Turn signal indicator lights 3-16
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Turn signal lever 3-19
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Types of tires 11-36
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U
Uniform tire quality grading standards 13-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the temporary spare tire 9-9
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V
Vanity mirror 6-4
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Vehicle capacity weight 8-17
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Vehicle finder function 2-8
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Vehicle identification 12-8
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Vehicle with driver ’s and front passenger ’s SRS airbags and
lap/shoulder restraints 1-39
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Ventilator 4-2
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W
Warning and indicator lights 3-10
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Washing 10-2
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Waxing and polishing 10-3
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Wear indicators 11-41
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Wheel alignment 12-3
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Wheel balance 11-40
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Wheel replacement 11-43
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Windows 2-21
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Windshield washer fluid 11-44
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Windshield wiper and washer switches 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10
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Wiper and washer 3-22
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