2006 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

13-6
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
T
Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the
driver’s side door pillar.
Example: The vehicle placard shows original
tire size, recommended cold tire infla-
tion pressure on each tire at maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information.
T
Adverse safety consequences
of under-inflation
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to flex severely and to rapidly
become hot. A sharp increase in tem-
perature could cause tread separa-
tion, and failure of the tire(s). Possible
resulting loss of vehicle control could
lead to an accident.
T
Measuring and adjusting air
pressure to achieve proper infla-
tion
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and be-
fore any long journey. Check the tire
pressures when the tires are cold.
Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the specific values.
Driving even a short distance warms
up the tires and increases the tire
pressures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the outside tempera-
ture. It is best to check tire pressure
outdoors before driving the vehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air in-
side it expands, causing the tire pres-
sure to increase. Be careful not to
mistakenly release air from a warm
tire to reduce its pressure.
„
Glossary of tire terminologyyCold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more.yMaximum inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure
to which a tire may be inflated.yRecommended inflation pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer.yIntended outboard sidewall
1)The sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or
2)The outward facing sidewall of an
800221D00115
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13-7
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asymmetrical tire that has a particu-
lar side that must always face out-
ward when mounting on a vehicle.yAccessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather seats
and cross bars to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed
or not). yCurb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning.yMaximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and
production options weight.yNormal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants (3 occupants). yOccupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle,
2 in front, 1 in rear seat.yProduction options weight
The combined weight of those in-
stalled regular production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in ex-
cess of those standards items which
they replace, not previously consid-
ered in curb weight or accessory
weight.
yVehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. yVehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two.yVehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight
and dividing by two.„ Tire care – maintenance and
safety practicesyCheck on a daily basis that the tires
are free from serious damage, nails,
and stones. At the same time, check
the tires for abnormal wear.y Inspect the tire tread regularly and
replace the tires before their tread wear indicators become visible. When
a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes
visible, the tire is worn beyond the ac-
ceptable limit and must be replaced
immediately. With a tire in this condi-
tion, driving at even low speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hy-
droplane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to an acci-
dent.
yTo maximize the life of each tire and
ensure that the tires wear uniformly, it
is best to rotate the tires every 7,500
miles (12,500 km). Rotating the tires
involves switching the front and rear
tires on the right-hand side of the ve-
hicle and similarly switching the front
and rear tires on the left-hand side of
the vehicle. (Each tire must be kept on
its original side of the vehicle.) Re-
place any damaged or unevenly worn
tire at the time of rotation. After tire ro-
tation, adjust the tire pressures and
make sure the wheel nuts are correct-
ly tightened. A tightening torque spec-
ification and a tightening sequence
specification for the wheel nuts can be
found “Flat tires” in Chapter 9.
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13-8
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
„Vehicle load limit – how to de-
termineThe load capacity of your vehicle is
determined by weight, not by avail-
able cargo space. The load limit of
your vehicle is shown on the vehicle
placard attached to the driver’s side
B-pillar. Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
The vehicle placard also shows seat-
ing capacity of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the
total weight of driver and all passen-
gers and their belongings, any cargo,
any optional equipment such as a
trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier,
etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.
Therefore cargo capacity can be cal-
culated by the following method.
Cargo capacity = Load limit – (total
weight of occupants + total weight of
optional equipment + tongue load of a
trailer (if applicable))
For towing capacity information and
weight limits, refer to “Trailer towing”
in Chapter 8.
T
Calculating total and load capac-
ities varying seating configura-
tions
Calculate the available load capacity
as shown in the following examples:
Example 1A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle
is 900 lbs (408 kg), which is indicated
on the vehicle placard with the state-
ment “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed
900 lbs or 408 kg”.
For example, if the vehicle has one
occupant weighing 154 lbs (70 kg)
plus cargo weighing 662 lbs (300 kg). 1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capac-
ity by subtracting the total weight from
the vehicle capacity weight of 900 lbs
(408 kg).
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 84 lbs (38 kg) of cargo can be
carried.
D00106
Total weight
= 154 lbs (70 kg) + 662 lbs (300 kg)
= 816 lbs (370 kg)
(Occupant) (Cargo)
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– CONTINUED –
Example 1B
For example, if a person weighing 176
lbs (80 kg) now enters the same vehi-
cle (bringing the number of occupants
to two), the calculations are as fol-
lows:
1. Calculate the total weight. 2. Calculate the available load capac-
ity.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 92 lbs (42 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
92 lbs (42 kg) or more.
Example 2A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle
is 900 lbs (408 kg), which is indicatedon the vehicle placard with the state-
ment “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed
408 kg or 900 lbs”.
For example, the vehicle has one oc-
cupant weighing 165 lbs (75 kg) plus
cargo weighing 375 lbs (170 kg). In
addition, the vehicle is fitted with a
trailer hitch weighing 22 lbs (10 kg), to
which is attached a trailer weighing
1,764 lbs (800 kg). 10% of the trailer
weight is applied to the trailer tongue
(i.e. Tongue load = 176 lbs (80 kg)).
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capac-
ity.
D00107
Total weight
= 154 lbs (70 kg) + 176 lbs (80 kg)
+ 662 lbs (300 kg)
= 992 lbs (450 kg)
(Occupant)
(Cargo)
D00108
Total weight
= 165 lbs (75 kg) + 375 lbs (170 kg)
+ 22 lbs (10 kg) + 176 lbs (80 kg)
= 738 lbs (335 kg) (Occupant) (Cargo)
(Trailer hitch) (Tongue load)
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13-10
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 162 lbs (73 kg) of cargo can be
carried.
Example 2B
For example, if a person weighing 143
lbs (65 kg) and a child weighing 40 lbs
(18 kg) now enter the same vehicle
(bringing the number of occupants to
three), and a child restraint system
weighing 11 lbs (5 kg) is installed inthe vehicle for the child to use, the cal-
culations are as follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capac-
ity.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 32 lbs (15 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
32 lbs (15 kg) or more.
„
Determining compatibility of
tire and vehicle load capaci-
tiesThe sum of four tires’ maximum load
ratings must exceed the maximum
loaded vehicle weight (“GVWR”). In
addition, sum of the maximum load
ratings of two front tires and of two
rear tires must exceed each axle’s
maximum loaded capacity (“GAWR”).
Original equipment tires are designed
to fulfill those conditions.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight
is referred to Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). And each axle’s
maximum loaded capacity is referred
to Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GVWR and each axle’s
GAWR are shown on the vehicle cer-
tification label affixed to the driver’s
door.
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehicle’s
D00109
Total weight
= 165 lbs (75 kg) + 143 lbs (65 kg)
+ 40 lbs (18 kg)
+ 11 lbs (5 kg) + 375 lbs (170 kg)
+ 22 lbs (10 kg) + 176 lbs (80 kg)
= 932 lbs (423 kg) (Occupant)
(Cargo)
(Trailer hitch)
(Child restraint)
(Tongue load)
(Occupant)
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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-11
suspension, axles and other parts of
the body.
Therefore, this means that the vehicle
cannot necessarily be loaded up to
the tire’s maximum load rating on the
tire sidewall.„Adverse safety consequenc-
es of overloading on handling
and stopping and on tiresOverloading could affect vehicle han-
dling, stopping distance, vehicle and
tire as shown in the following. This
could lead to an accident and possibly
result in severe personal injury.yVehicle stability will deteriorate.yHeavy and/or high-mounted loads
could increase the risk of rollover.yStopping distance will increase.yBrakes could overheat and fail.ySuspension, bearings, axles and
other parts of the body could break or
experience accelerated wear that will
shorten vehicle life.yTires could fail.yTread separation could occur.yTire could separate from its rim.
„ Steps for Determining Cor-
rect Load Limit1. Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs
(635kg). and there will be five- 150 lbs
(68 kg) passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 – 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safe-
ly exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in Step
4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trail-
er, load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduc-
es the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
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13-12
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Uniform tire quality grading standardsThis information indicates the relative
performance of passenger car tires in
the area of treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. This is to aid
the consumer in making an informed
choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new pneu-
matic tires for use on passenger cars.
However, they do not apply to deep
tread, winter type snow tires, space-
saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 12
inches or less, or to some limited pro-
duction tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
„TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the ac-
tual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving hab-
its, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.„Traction AA, A, B, CThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
„Temperature A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corre-
sponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of per-
formance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accelera-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-13
Reporting safety defects (USA)If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety de-
fect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA can-
not become involved in individual
problems between you, your deal-
er, or Subaru of America, Inc. To
contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-
free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-
0123 in the Washington D.C. area)
or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation, Washing-
ton, D.C. 20590. You can also ob-tain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
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