2004 SUBARU IMPREZA tow

8-1
8
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ................ 8-2
Fuel economy hints ...................................... 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .... 8-3
Catalytic converter ....................................... 8-4
Periodic inspections .................................... 8-6
Driving in foreign countries ......................... 8-6
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ..................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................ 8-8 All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires ..................... 8-9
OUTBACK SPORT ............................................. 8-9
Winter driving ............................................... 8-11 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-11
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-14
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-16
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-16
Loading your vehicle ................................... 8-17 Vehicle capacity weight .................................... 8-19
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-20
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ............... 8-21
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................ 8-25 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-25
When you do not tow a trailer .......................... 8-28
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-29 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-29 Maximum load limits ........................................ 8-29
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-34
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-35
Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-37

8-8
Driving tips
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
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
" 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.
Do not drive on rough roads or over curbs in a
vehicle that has 17-inch or other ultra-low-pro-
file tires. The wheels and tires could be dam-
aged by shock forces, leading to abnormal vi-
bration or poor straight-line tracking. Driving
would then be more difficult.

8-9
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
!All AWD models except OUTBACK
SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires
Your AWD vehicle is neither a conventional off-road
vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger car
designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD feature
gives it some limited off-road capabilities in situations
in which driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruc-
tion-free and otherwise similar to on-road driving con-
ditions. Operating it under other than those conditions
could subject the vehicle to excessive stress which
might result in damage not eligible for repair under
warranty. If you do take your SUBARU off road, you
should review the common sense precautions in the
next section (applicable to the OUTBACK SPORT) for
general guidance. But please keep in mind that your
vehicle’s off-road capabilities are more limited than
those of the OUTBACK SPORT.
Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles, or
roads flooded with water. 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. ! OUTBACK SPORT
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 conventional off-
road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do take
your Subaru off-road, certain common sense precau-
tions 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. " 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

8-19
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
!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 as the Ve-
hicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label at-
tached to the driver’s side door jamb. It includes the to-
tal 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 pres-
sures, refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in Chap-
ter 11.
HG8014BA
UGB510BA

8-23
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
F: Front of vehicle
1) T30 torx® head screw
2) Front arrow label
3) Front crossbar
4) 100LBS load label
5) Lower clamp
6) Roof rail end support
7) Joint line
8) Front arrow label
a: 3 inches (76 mm)
1. 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.
2. Rotate the lower clamp on the bottom of each end
support downward approximately 90 °.
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 3 inches (76 mm)
rearward from the seam (joint) between the front roof
rail support and the roof rail.
4. Rotate (raise) the lower clamp up to the bottom of
the roof rail and loosely tighten the T-30 torx® head
screw with the torx® wrench provided, through the top
of the end support and into the threaded insert in the
lower clamp on each end of the crossbar.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.
5. 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 inch lbs. (3.4 to 4.0 N-m, 0.35 to 0.41 kg-m) of
torque (or tighten securely with the torx® wrench pro-
vided).

8-25
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
Trailer hitch (if equipped)
The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated
load. A maximum of 2,000 lbs. (906 kg) gross trailer
weight and a maximum of 200 lbs. (90 kg) gross
tongue weight are permissible for the trailer hitch.
When you tow a trailer, follow the instructions in the
section “Trailer towing” in this chapter.
" 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 section “Trailer towing” in this chap-
ter for possible recommendations and limita- tions. " 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 re-
ceiver, 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 dis-
tributing hitch.
! Connecting a trailer
1. Remove the receiver cover from the hitch receiver
tube. Then insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver
tube.

8-28
Driving tips
Hitch harness connector – Wagon
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 four-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

8-29
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 ap-
propriate for your vehicle. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions on correct installation and use provid-
ed by the trailer and other towing equipment manufac-
turers.
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