2005 SUBARU OUTBACK towing

14
Illustrated index !Exterior
123 5 6 4
13 11 12 89 10 7
UBF200BB
1) Engine hood lock release (page
11-5)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-45)
3) Bulb replacement (page 11-74)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-52)
5) Moonroof (page 2-41)
6) Roof rail (page 8-21)
7) Door locks (page 2-6)
8) Tire pressure (page 11-52)
9) Flat tires (page 9-5)
10) Tire chains (page 8-17)
11) Fog light switch (page 3-50)
12) Tie-down hooks (page 9-22)
13) Towing hook (page 9-22)

15
–
CONTINUED –
68
5 4
123
7
5
98 4
12
3
UBF201BB
1) Rear window defogger button
(page 3-57)
2) Fuel filler lid and cap (page 7-4)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-30)
4) Tie-down hooks (page 9-22)
5) Towing hook (page 9-22)
6) Trunk lid (page 2-35)
7) Rear gate (page 2-39)
8) Bulb replacement (page 11-76)
9) Rear wiper blade assembly and
rubber replacement (page 3-55)

3-26
Instruments and controls
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is
not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it clicks.
Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the
cap. Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. !
If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage the
emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following:" Reduce vehicle speed.
" Avoid hard acceleration.
" Avoid steep uphill grades.
" Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
" Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. !
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the charging system is not working
properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. ! Oil pressure warning light
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low and the

7-44
Starting and operating
spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfac-
es, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional
control. Activation of this function is shown by steady
illumination of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation
indicator light. "
Skid Suppression Function
The skid suppression function is designed to help
maintain directional stability by suppressing the
wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering op-
erations. Activation of this function is shown by flash-
ing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indica-
tor light.
NOTE " Slight twitching of the brake pedal may be felt
when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system oper-
ates; a small degree of vehicle or steering wheel
shaking may also be noticed in this situation.
These are normal characteristics of Vehicle Dy-
namics Control operation and are no cause for
alarm. " When driving off immediately after starting the
engine, a short-lived operation noise may be no-
ticed coming from the engine compartment. This
noise is generated as a result of a check being per-
formed on the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
and is normal. "
Depending on the timing of activation of the
brakes, certain situations may occur just after
driving off where the brake pedal seems to exhibit
a jolting motion. This too is a consequence of the
Vehicle Dynamics Control operational check and
is normal. " In the circumstances listed below, the vehicle
may be more unstable than it feels to the driver.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control System may there-
fore operate. Such operation does not indicate a
system fault. "on gravel-covered or rutted roads
" on unfinished roads
" when the vehicle is towing a trailer
" when the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or
winter tires
" Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem will cause operation of the steering wheel to
feel slightly different compared to that for normal
conditions." Even if the vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle
Dynamics Control system, it is important that win-
ter tires be used when driving on snow-covered or
icy roads. (All four wheels should be fitted with
tires of the same size and brand). Furthermore, if
snow chains are to be used, they should be fitted
on the front wheels. When a vehicle is fitted with

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 ......................... 8-7
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ..................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................ 8-9
Winter driving ............................................... 8-12 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-12
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-15
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-17
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-17
Loading your vehicle ................................... 8-18 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) ............................ 8-27 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-27
When you do not tow a trailer .......................... 8-30
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-31 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-31
Maximum load limits ......................................... 8-31
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-37
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-38 Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-40

8-9
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
"There are some precautions that you must observe
when towing your vehicle. For detail information, see
“Towing” section in chapter 9.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.
! All AWD models except OUTBACK
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 a relatively level, obstruction-
free and otherwise similar to on-road driving condi-
tions. 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

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)

8-30
Driving tips
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 four-pin connector of the
hitch wire harness to protect against possible damage." Occasionally lubricate terminals of the four-pin con-
nector using the terminal grease.
HS8015BA