2003 SUBARU FORESTER tow

8-6
Driving tips
Driving tips for AWD vehicles
All wheel drive distributes the engine power to all four
wheels. AWD vehicles provide better traction when
driving on slippery, wet or snow-covered roads and
when moving out of mud, dirt and sand. By shifting
power between the front and rear wheels, SUBARU
AWD can also provide added traction during acceler-
ation and added engine braking force during deceler-
ation.
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 inmind:
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 han-
dling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sud-
den braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or
turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and
maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the
same size, construction, brand, and load range as the
original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other siz-
es or construction may result in severe mechanical
damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may af-
fect ride, handling, braking, speedometer/odometer
calibration, and clearance between the body and tires.
It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. Always check the cold tire pressure before starting
to drive. The recommended 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. For detail information, see
HS8003BA

8-7
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
the “Towing” section in chapter 9.
Always maintain a safe driving speed accord-
ing to the road and weather conditions in order
to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn,
during sudden braking or under other similar
conditions. Always use the utmost care in driving – over-
confidence because you are driving an all
wheel drive vehicle could easily lead to a seri-
ous accident.
Off road driving
Because of the AWD feature and higher ground clear-
ance, your Subaru can be driven on ordinary roads or
off-road. But please keep in mind that an AWD
SUBARU is a passenger car and is neither a conven-
tional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. 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 seat belts. Carry some emergency equipment, such as a tow-
ing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit
and portable phone or citizens band radio. Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary 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 ei-
ther 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, especially at higher
speeds.

8-16
Driving tips
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 as the Ve-
hicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label at-
tached to the driver’s side door jamb. It includes the
total weight of driver and all passengers and their be-
longings, any optional equipment such as a trailer
hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue
load of a trailer.
The tire information label also shows recommended
tire inflation pressure under full loading and trailer tow-
ing conditions. Adjust tire inflation pressures accord-
ing to the loading conditions. For the tire inflation
pressures, refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in
Chapter 11.

GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
The certification plate attached to the driver’s side
door jamb shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) 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 op-
tional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore,
the GVW changes depending on the situation. The
GVWR equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle – including standard equipment, fluids, emergen-
HS8007BA

8-20
Driving tips
1) Load label
2) Direction arrow label
3. With the front direction arrow label on the top right
side of the crossbar pointing toward the front of the ve-
hicle, carefully place the crossbar across the top of the
vehicle so that the crossbar end supports rest on the
top of the roof rails approximately 6 inches (150 mm)
rearward in the front radius of the roof rail.
4. Move the end support and inner clamp to hook un-
der the end of the roof rail on both sides and loosely
assemble the T-30 torx

8-22
Driving tips
Trailer hitch (if equipped)
The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated
load.
When you tow a trailer, follow the instructions in the
next section “Trailer towing”.

Never exceed the maximum weight specified
for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum
weight could cause an accident resulting in se-
rious personal injuries. Permissible trailer
weight changes depending on the situation. Re-
fer to the next section “Trailer towing” for pos-
sible recommendations and limitations. 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

8-24
Driving tips
ground.
Do not connect safety chains to part of the ve-
hicle other than the safety chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
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 wire harness
by individually activating the brake, right turn signal,
left turn signal, stop, and parking lights on the trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire harness before
launching or retrieving a watercraft. When you do not tow a trailer
Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube
and insert the receiver cover onto the hitch receiver tube. Place the dust cap over the fou-pin connector of the
hitch wire harness to protect against possible damage. Occasionally lubricate terminals of the four-pin con-
nector using terminal grease.
HS8015BA

8-25
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
Your car is designed and intended to be used primarily
as a passenger-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer puts
additional loads on your car’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an adverse ef-
fect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety and satis-
faction depend upon proper use of correct equipment
and cautious operation of your vehicle. Seek the ad-
vice of your SUBARU dealer to assist you in purchas-
ing a hitch and other necessary towing equipment
appropriate for your vehicle. In addition, be sure to fol-
low the instructions on correct installation and use pro-
vided by the trailer and other towing equipment manufacturers.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for injuries or ve-
hicle damage that result from trailer towing equipment,
or from any errors or omissions in the instructions ac-
companying such equipment or for your failure to fol-
low the proper instructions. 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 “Main- tenance 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
Never exceed the maximum load limits ex-
plained below. Exceeding the maximum load
limits could cause personal injury and/or vehi-
cle damage.
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

8-26
Driving tips
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 weight shown
below.
HS8016AA
Model Conditions Maximum total trailerweight
MT models When towing a trailer without brakes. 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
When towing a trailer with
brakes. 2,400 lbs
(1,087 kg)
AT models When towing a trailer without brakes. 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
When towing a trailer with
brakes. 2,000 lbs
(906 kg)
Whentowingatrailerona
long uphill grade
continuously for over 5 miles
(8 km) with an outside
temperature of 104 °F
(40 °C) or above. 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)