2005 SUBARU LEGACY towing

8-40
Driving tips
and in “GAS STATION REFERENCE” at the end of
this manual. Adjust the rear tire pressure to the recom-
mended pressure when the tires are cold. Normal
pressure should be maintained in the front tires.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and proper infla-
tion pressure should be in accordance with the trailer
manufacturer’s specifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire when towing a
trailer, ask a commercial road service to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your vehicle or
trailer as a precaution against getting a flat tire, be
sure that the spare tire is firmly secured. !
Trailer towing tips
"Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing
a trailer in hilly country on hot days. " When towing a trailer, steering, stability,
stopping distance and braking performance
will be different from normal operation. For
safety’s sake, you should employ extra caution
when towing a trailer and you should never speed. You should also keep the following tips
in mind:
! Before starting out on a trip
" Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-hitch mount-
ing are in good condition. If any problems are appar-
ent, do not tow the trailer." Check that the vehicle sits horizontally with the trail-
er 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 con-
firm 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 vehi-
cle’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.

8-41
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
"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 traffic, practice turning, stopping
and backing up. ! Driving with a trailer
" You should allow for considerably more stopping
distance when towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may result in skidding 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 en-
gine revolution. " Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and rapid lane
changes. " Slow down before turning. Make a longer than nor-
mal 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 your vehicle. " Crosswinds will adversely affect the handling of
your vehicle and 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 gradu-
ally. " When passing other vehicles, considerable dis-
tance is required because of the added weight and length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
A) Left turn
B) Right turn
" Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes prac-
tice. When backing 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. " 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 deal- er.
A B
UB8502BB

9-1
9
In case of emergency
If you park your vehicle in an emergency .. 9-2
Temporary spare tire .................................... 9-3
Flat tires ......................................................... 9-5 Changing a flat tire ........................................... 9-5
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) .................................................... 9-16
Jump starting ................................................ 9-17 How to jump start ............................................. 9-18
Engine overheating ....................................... 9-20 If steam is coming from the engine compartment .................................................. 9-20
If no steam is coming from the engine compartment .................................................. 9-20
Towing ........................................................... 9-21 Towing and tie-down hooks ............................ 9-22
Using a flat-bed truck ....................................... 9-27
Towing with all wheels on the ground ............ 9-28
Rear gate – if the rear gate cannot be unlocked ..................................................... 9-29
Moonroof – if the moonroof cannot be closed ......................................................... 9-30
Maintenance tools ......................................... 9-33 Jack .................................................................... 9-33
Jack handle ....................................................... 9-34
Other maintenance tools .................................. 9-35

9-3
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
Temporary spare tire
"Never tow a trailer when the temporary spare
tire is used. The temporary spare tire is not de-
signed to sustain the towing load. Use of the
temporary spare tire when towing can result in
failure of the spare tire and/or less stability of
the vehicle and may lead to an accident. " When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel rim
is replaced without the original pressure sen-
sor/transmitter being transferred, the low tire
pressure warning light will flash. This indicates
the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is
unable to monitor all four road wheels. Contact
your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible for
tire and sensor replacement and/or system re-
setting.
Never use any temporary spare tire other than
the original. Using other sizes may result in se-
vere mechanical damage to the drive train of
your vehicle.
The temporary spare tire is smaller and lighter than a
conventional tire and is designed for emergency use
only. Remove the temporary spare tire and re-install
the conventional tire as soon as possible because the
spare tire is designed only for temporary use.
Check the inflation pressure of the temporary spare
tire periodically to keep the tire ready for use. The cor-
rect pressure is 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm 2
).
When using the temporary spare tire, note the follow-
ing: " Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
" Do not put a tire chain on the temporary spare tire.
Because of the smaller tire size, a tire chain will not fit
properly. " Do not use two or more temporary spare tires at the
same time. " Do not drive over obstacles. This tire has a smaller
diameter, so road clearance is reduced.

9-21
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If the fan is not
turning, immediately turn the engine off and contact
your authorized dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature has dropped, turn off the engine.
If the temperature gauge stays at the overheated
zone, turn the engine off.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down, check the
coolant level in the reserve tank.
If the coolant level is below the “MIN” mark, add cool-
ant up to the “MAX” mark.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve tank, add cool-
ant to the reserve tank. Then remove the radiator cap
and fill the radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot radiator, first
wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap, then turn
the cap counterclockwise slowly without pressing
down until it stops. Release the pressure from the ra-
diator. After the pressure has been fully released, re-
move the cap by pressing down and turning it.Towing
Never tow AWD vehicles (both AT and MT) with
the front wheels raised off the ground while the
rear wheels are on the ground, or with the rear
wheels raised off the ground while the front
wheels are on the ground. This will cause the
vehicle to spin away due to the operation or de-
terioration of the center differential.
If towing is necessary, it is best done by your SUBARU
UG9013BA

9-22
In case of emergency
dealer or a commercial towing service. Observe the
following procedures for safety. !
Towing and tie-down hooks
The towing hooks should be used only in an emergen-
cy (e.g., to free a stuck vehicle from mud, sand or
snow).
" Use only the specified towing hooks and tie-
down hooks. Never use suspension parts or
other body parts for towing or tie-down purpos-
es. " Never use the tie-down hook closest to the
muffler under the vehicle for towing purposes. " To prevent deformation to the bumper and
the towing hook, do not apply excessive lateral
load to the towing hooks.
Front towing hook (OUTBACK models):
1. Take out the towing hook, screwdriver and wheel
nut wrench from the on board tool bucket. 2. Wrap a flat-head screwdriver in a vinyl tape or
cloth, insert it into the gap between the cover and the
front bumper, and use it to lever the cover open.
3. Pull the entire fog light cover toward you.
UB9214BA

9-23
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
4. Screw the towing hook into the thread hole until the
threads can no longer be seen. 5. Tighten the towing hook securely by a wheel nut
wrench.
After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle
and stow it in the tool bag.
Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.
Front towing hook (except OUTBACK models):
1. Take out the towing hook, screwdriver and wheel
nut wrench from the on board tool bag.
UB9215BAUB9216BA

9-24
In case of emergency
2. Wrap a flat-head screwdriver with cloth or vinyl.
Then, insert the screwdriver into the gap between the
fog light cover and the bumper, and pry out the cover.
3. Pull the entire fog light cover toward you.
4. Likewise, insert the screwdriver still wrapped with
cloth or vinyl into the cutout between the towing hook
cover and the bumper. Pry out the cover.
UB9204BAUB9205BA