2007 SUBARU OUTBACK steering wheel

8-28Driving tips
speed. You should also keep the
following tips in mind:
! Before starting out on a trip
. Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer. . Check that the vehicle sits horizontally
with the trailer 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
confirm 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 con-
nected properly and trailer ’s brake
lights illuminate when the vehicle ’s
brake pedal is pressed, and that the trailer ’s turn signal lights flash when
the vehicle ’s turn signal lever is oper-
ated. – 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 sig-
nificant blind spot.
. 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 ofcontrol. . Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-
erations. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, always start out in first gear
and release the clutch at moderate enginerevolution. . Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes. . Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal 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 yourvehicle. . Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing 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 gradually. .
When passing other vehicles, consid-
erable distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
. Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. 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

9-16In case of emergency
WARNING
Use the rear tie-down hooks only for
downward anchoring. If they are
used to anchor the vehicle in any
other direction, cables may slip off
the hooks, possibly causing a dan-
gerous situation.
& 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 automatic transmission vehi-
cles or “1st ”for manual transmission
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. &
Towing with all wheels on the ground
WARNING
. Never turn the ignition switch to
the “LOCK ”position while the
vehicle is being towed because
the steering wheel and the direc-
tion of the wheels will be locked.
. Remember that the brake booster
and power steering do not func-
tion when the engine is not running. Because the engine is
turned off, it will take greater
effort to operate the brake pedal
and steering wheel.
CAUTION
. If transmission failure occurs,
transport your vehicle on a flat-
bed truck.
. Do not run the engine while being
towed using this method. Trans-
mission damage could result if
the vehicle is towed with the
engine running.
. For vehicles with automatic
transmission, the traveling speed
must be limited to less than 20
mph (30 km/h) and the traveling
distance to less than 31 miles (50
km). For greater speeds and
distances, transport your vehicle
on a flat-bed truck.
1. Check the transmission and differen-
tial oil levels and add oil to bring it to the
upper level if necessary.
2. Release the parking brake and put the
transmission in neutral.
3. The ignition switch should be in the “ ACC ”position while the vehicle is being

11-38Maintenance and service
.Abnormally high tire pressure (tread
worn in center)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire
magnifies the effects of road-surface
bumps and dips, possibly resulting in
vehicle damage.
WARNING
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to deform severely and to
rapidly become hot. A sharp in-
crease in temperature could cause
tread separation, and destruction of
the tires. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to anaccident. &
Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when
your vehicle was new, but the wheels will
become unbalanced as the tires become
worn during use. Wheel imbalance causes
the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at
certain vehicle speeds and detracts from
the vehicle ’s straight-line stability. It can
also cause steering and suspension sys-
tem problems and abnormal tire wear. If
you suspect that the wheels are not
correctly balanced, have them checked
and adjusted by your SUBARU dealer.
Also have them adjusted after tire repairs
and after tire rotation. NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment*
causes the tires to wear on one side
and reduces the vehicle ’s running
stability. Contact your SUBARU dealer
if you notice abnormal tire wear.
*: The suspension system is designed to hold
each wheel at a certain alignment (relative to
the other wheels and to the road) for optimum
straight-line stability and cornering perfor- mance. &
Wear indicators
1) New tread
2) Worn tread
3) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear
indicator, which becomes visible when
the depth of the tread grooves decreases
to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be
replaced when the tread wear indicator
appears as a solid band across the tread.
WARNING
When a tire ’s tread wear indicator
becomes visible, the tire is worn
beyond the acceptable limit and
must be replaced immediately. With
a tire in this condition, driving at
high speeds in wet weather can

14-4Index
Driving All-Wheel Drive vehicle ........................................... 3-30
Car phone/cell phone .................................................. 7
Drinking ..................................................................... 6
Drugs ........................................................................ 6
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Pets .......................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ................................................ 8-9
Tips....................................... 7-16, 7-18, 7-23, 7-29, 8-5
Tired or sleepy. ........................................................... 7
E
ECO gauge ................................................................. 3-8
Electrical system ........................................................ 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........................................................... 3-29, 7-36
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ............................. 1-14
Engine Compartment overview ........................................... 11-6
Coolant ................................................................ 11-14
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ............................ 6, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-4
Oil........................................................................ 11-9Overheating .......................................................... 9-12
Starting ................................................................... 7-9
Stopping ............................................................... 7-11
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-4
Floor mat .................................................................. 6-12 Fluid level
Automatic transmission ......................................... 11-22
Brake .................................................................. 11-29
Clutch ................................................................. 11-30
Power steering ..................................................... 11-28
Fog light switch .......................................................... 3-42
Front
Differential gear oil ................................................ 11-24
Fog light .............................................................. 11-53
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-24
Seats ..................................................................... 1-2
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-53
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-3
Economy hints ........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-5
Gauge ............................................................ 3-6, 3-20
Requirements ......................................................... 7-3
Fuses ..................................................................... 11-47
Fuses and circuits ...................................................... 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ............................... 8-15
Gear position indicator ................................................ 3-32
Glove box ................................................................... 6-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ... ........................ 8-15
H
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front ...................................................................... 1-7
Rear ..................................................................... 1-10

14-8Index
Seatbelts .................................................................. 1-13
Security ID plate .......................................................... 2-3
Selector lever .................................................... 7-19, 7-25
Position indicator ........................................... 3-32, 3-33
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-23, 7-30
Shift-up indicator light ................................................. 3-32
Shock sensors ........................................................... 2-19
Shopping bag hook .................................................... 6-11
SI-DRIVE mode ......................................................... 7-31
Snow tires ................................................................. 8-10
Snowy and icy roads .................................................... 8-9
Sounding a panic alarm .............................................. 2-10
Spark plugs .............................................................. 11-20
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-6, 3-18
SRS
Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-55
Frontal airbag ........................................................ 1-45
Side airbag ........................................................... 1-55
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 4, 1-40
SRS airbag system
Monitors. ............................................................... 1-61
Servicing ............................................................... 1-63
SRS airbag system warning light ................................. 3-24
Starting the engine ....................................................... 7-9
State emission testing (U.S. only) .................................. 7-7
Steering wheel
Power ................................................................... 7-33
Tilt ....................................................................... 3-51
Stopping the engine ................................................... 7-11
Storage compartment ................................................... 6-4 Stowage boxes
.......................................................... 6-15
Sun shade ......................................................... 2-28, 2-29
Sun visors .................................................................. 6-3
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ................ 1-40
Synthetic leather upholstery ......................................... 10-5
T
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-6, 3-20
Temperature gauge ...................................... 3-7, 3-11, 3-21
Temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP) ..................... 3-26
Temporary spare tire .................................................... 9-2
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-13
Tilt steering wheel. ...................................................... 3-51
Tire
Chains .................................................................. 8-12
Inspection ............................................................ 11-36
Pressures and wear .............................................. 11-36
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-40
Rotation .............................................................. 11-39
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ....................... 7-43
Tires ......................................................................... 12-5
Types .................................................................. 11-34
Tires and wheels ...................................................... 11-34
Top tether anchorages ................................................ 1-37
Towing ...................................................................... 9-13
All wheels on the ground ......................................... 9-16
Flat-bed truck ......................................................... 9-16
Tie-down hooks ...................................................... 9-13
Weight .................................................................. 8-22
Trailer
Hitch ..................................................................... 8-19