2005 SUBARU OUTBACK Chains

8-27
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
Trailer hitch (if equipped)
"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’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.
The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated
load. The maximum gross trailer weight and maximum
gross tongue weight are indicated in the following ta-
ble.
When you tow a trailer, follow the instructions in the
next section “Trailer towing”. ! Connecting a trailer
1. Remove the receiver cover from the hitch receiver
tube. Then insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver
tube. Maximum gross
trailer weight
Maximum gross
tongue weight
3.0-liter models 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
All models
other than
3.0-liter models 2,700 lbs
(1,224 kg)

8-29
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
A) Hitch ball installation point
B) 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 ac-
count; however, be careful not to let them drag on the
ground.
Do not connect safety chains to part of the ve-
hicle other than the safety chain hooks.
A
B
UB8220BBUB8221BA

8-38
Driving tips
!
Connecting a trailer
! Trailer brakes
"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 hydrau-
lic brake system to the hydraulic brake system
in your vehicle. Direct connection would 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 re-
quired to be equipped with its own brake system. Elec-
tric brakes or surge brakes are recommended, 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 infor-
mation about the trailer’s brake system. !
Trailer safety chains
Always use safety chains between your vehicle
and the trailer. Towing trailer without safety
chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the
trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling
damage 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 cross-
ing 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
sufficient slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations
into account; however, be careful not to let them drag
on the ground.
For more information about the safety chain connec-
tion, refer to the instructions for your hitch and trailer.

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.

9-27
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
Rear tie-down hooks:
The rear tie-down hooks are located near each of the
jack-up reinforcements.
Use the rear tie-down hooks only for downward
anchoring. If they are used to anchor the vehi-
cle in any other direction, cables may slip off
the hooks, possibly causing a dangerous situa-
tion. !
Using a flat-bed truck
This is the best way to transport your vehicle. Use the
following procedures to ensure safe transportation.
1. Shift the selector lever into the “P” position for au-
tomatic transmission vehicles or “1st” for manualtransmission vehicles.
2. Pull up the parking brake lever firmly.
3. Secure the vehicle onto the carrier properly with
safety chains. Each safety chain should be equally
tightened and care must be taken not to pull the chains
so tightly that the suspension bottoms out.
UB9514DAUB9530AA

11 -5 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
tires. Doing so can dangerously reduce control-
lability, resulting in an accident.
! Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example, to damage,
make sure the replacement wheels match the specifi-
cations of the wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available from SUBA-
RU dealers.
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, 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 approximately
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 aluminum wheels.

14-9
Index
Tilt steering wheel ............................................. 3-63 Tire
Chains .......................................................... 8-17
Inspection ................................................... 11-51
Pressures and wear .................................... 11-52
Replacement .............................................. 11-56
Rotation ...................................................... 11-55
Tires .................................................................. 12-5
Types .......................................................... 11-49
Tires and wheels ............................................. 11-49
Top tether anchorages ...................................... 1-55
Towing ............................................................... 9-21 All wheels on the ground .............................. 9-28
Flat-bed truck ................................................ 9-27
Tie-down hooks ............................................ 9-22
Weight .......................................................... 8-31
Trailer
Hitch ............................................................. 8-27
Hitches .......................................................... 8-37
Towing .......................................................... 8-31
Towing tips ................................................... 8-40
Trip meter ................................................. 3-10, 3-16
Trunk lid ............................................................. 2-35
Release handle ............................................. 2-37
Trunk light ........................................................ 11-86
Turn signal
Indicator lights .............................................. 3-34 Lever ............................................................. 3-47
U
Under-floor storage compartment ..................... 6-30 V
Valet mode ........................................................ 2-27
Vanity mirror ........................................................ 6-6
Vehicle Capacity weight ............................................ 8-19
Identification ............................................... 12-11
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light ........................................ 3-32
OFF switch ................................................... 7-48
Operation indicator light ................................ 3-31
System .......................................................... 7-43
Warning light ................................................. 3-32
Ventilator ............................................................. 4-2 W
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-20
Warning lights ABS .............................................................. 3-28
All-wheel drive .............................................. 3-31
Anti-lock Brake system ................................. 3-28
AT OIL TEMPerature .................................... 3-27