2008 SUBARU OUTBACK flat tire

11-34Maintenance and service
Tires and wheels &Types of tires
You should be familiar with type of tires
present on your vehicle. ! All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your new
vehicle except 2.5GT spec.B are all
season tires.
All season tires are designed to provide
an adequate measure of traction, handling
and braking performance in year-round
driving including snowy and icy road
conditions. However all season tires do
not offer as much traction performance as
winter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snow
or on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by “ALL
SEASON ”and/or “M+S ”(Mud & Snow) on
the tire sidewall. ! Summer tires
The factory-installed tires on your new
2.5GT spec.B vehicle are summer tires.
Summer tires are high-speed capability
tires best suited for highway driving under
dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving
on slippery roads such as on snow-
covered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered or icy roads, we strongly recommend the
use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to
replace all four tires. !
Winter (snow) tires
Winter tires are best suited for driving on
snow-covered and icy roads. However
winter tires do not perform as well as
summer tires and all season tires on roads
other than snow-covered and icy roads.
& Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (if equipped)
The tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message
by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low. The tire pressure monitor-
ing system will activate only when the
vehicle is driven. Also, this system may
not react immediately to a sudden drop in
tire pressure (for example, a blow-out
caused by running over a sharp object).
If you adjust the tire pressures in a warm
garage and will then drive the vehicle in
cold outside air, the resulting drop in tire
pressures may cause the low tire pressure
warning light to come on. To avoid this
problem when adjusting the tire pressures
in a warm garage, inflate the tires to
pressures higher than those shown on the tire placard. Specifically, inflate them by an
extra 1 psi (6.9 kPa, 0.07 kgf/cm2) for
every difference of 10 8F (5.6 8C) between
the temperature in the garage and the
temperature outside. By way of example,
the following table shows the required tire
pressures that correspond to various out-
side temperatures when the temperature
in the garage is 60 8F (15.6 8C).
Example:
Tire size: P225/55R17 95V, P225/60R16 97H
Standard tire pressures:
Front: 32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Rear: 30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm2)
Garage temperature: 60 8F (15.6 8C)
Outside
temperature Adjusted pressure
[psi (kPa, kgf/cm
2)]
front rear
30 8F( 18C) 35 (240, 2.4) 33 (230, 2.3)
10 8F( 12 8C) 37
(255, 2.55) 35
(240, 2.4)
10 8F
( 23 8C) 39 (270, 2.7) 37 (255, 2.55)
Example:
Tire size: 215/45R17 91W
Standard tire pressures:
Front: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
Rear: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)

11-36Maintenance and service
serious vehicle damage and serious
personal injury could occur.
If this light still comes on while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may have significant
damage and a fast leak that causes
the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have
a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire
as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/transmitter
being transferred, the low tire pres-
sure warning light will illuminate
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute. This indicates
the 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 resetting. If the light
illuminates steadily after blinking
for approximately one minute,
promptly contact a SUBARU dealer
to have the system inspected.
& Tire inspection
Check 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.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately if you find any problem.
NOTE . When the wheels and tires strike
curbs or are subjected to harsh treat-
ment as when the vehicle is driven on a
rough surface, they can suffer damage
that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
This type of damage does not become
evident until time has passed. Try not
to drive over curbs, potholes or on
other rough surfaces. If doing so is
unavoidable, keep the vehicle ’s speed
down to a walking pace or less, and
approach the curbs as squarely as
possible. Also, make sure the tires are
not pressed against the curb when you
park the vehicle.. If you feel unusual vibration while
driving or find it difficult to steer the
vehicle in a straight line, one of the
tires and/or wheels may be damaged.
Drive slowly to the nearest authorized
SUBARU dealer and have the vehicleinspected.
& Tire pressures and wear
Maintaining the correct tire pressures
helps to maximize the tires ’service lives
and is essential for good running perfor- mance. Check and, if necessary, adjust
the pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month (for example,
during a fuel stop) and before any long
journey.
Check the tire pressures when the tires
are cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust
the tire pressures to the values shown on
the tire placard. The tire placard is located
on the door pillar on the driver
’s side.
Driving even a short distance warms up
the tires and increases the tire pressures.
Also, the tire pressures are affected by the
outside temperature. It is best to check tire
pressure outdoors before driving thevehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air inside
it expands, causing the tire pressure to

WARNING
Use only those wheels that are
specified for your vehicle. Wheels
not meeting specifications could
interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub
against the wheel well housing dur-
ing turns. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to anaccident. Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and
damaged easily. Handle them carefully to
maintain their appearance, 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. Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paintdamage.
If you spray washer fluid on the windshield
but the supply of washer fluid appears to
diminish, check the level of washer fluid in
the tank. Maintenance and service
11-41
– CONTINUED –

Vehicle identification1) Emission control label
2) Vehicle identification number
3) Certification and bar code label
4) Tire inflation pressure label
5) Vehicle identification number plate
6) Model number label
7) Fuel labelSpecifications
12-11

For U.S.A............................................................ 13-2
Tire information .................................................. 13-2
Tire labeling ....................................................... 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure .................. 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology ............................... 13-6
Tire care –maintenance and safety practices ...... 13-7
Vehicle load limit –how to determine .................. 13-8
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load capacities ...................................................... 13-11 Adverse safety consequences of overloading on
handling and stopping and on tires ................ 13-11
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ......... 13-11
Uniform tire quality grading standards .......... 13-12
Treadwear ....................................................... 13-12
Traction AA, A, B, C ......................................... 13-12
Temperature A, B, C ......................................... 13-13
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.) ................... 13-13
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13

the tire’s speed rating.
Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical code
which specifies the maximum load
a tire can carry at the speed
indicated by its speed symbol, at
maximum inflation pressure.
For example, “88 ”means 1,234 lbs
(560 kg), “87 ”means 1,201 lbs (545
kg), “86 ”means 1,168 lbs (530 kg)
WARNING
Load indices apply only to the
tire, not to the vehicle. Putting
a load rated tire on any vehicle
does not mean the vehicle can
be loaded up to the tire ’s rated
load.
(7) Speed Rating: An alphabetical
system describing a tire ’s capability
to travel at established and prede-
termined speeds.
For example, “V ” means 149 mph (240 km/h)
WARNING
. Speed ratings apply only to
the tire, not to the vehicle.
Putting a speed rated tire on
any vehicle does not mean
the vehicle can be operated
at the tire ’s rated speed.
. The speed rating is void if
the tires are worn out, da-
maged, repaired, retreaded,
or otherwise altered from
their original condition. If
tires are repaired, re-
treaded, or otherwise al-
tered, they may not be sui-
table for original equipment
tire designed loads andspeeds.
! Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire Identification Number (TIN) is
marked on the intended outboard
sidewall. The TIN is composed of
four groups. Here is a brief review
of the TIN with a breakdown of its individual elements.
(1) Manufacturer
’s Identification
Mark
(2) Tire Size
(3) Tire Type Code
(4) Date of Manufacture
The first two figures identify the
week, starting with “01 ”to represent
the first full week of the calendar
year; the second two figures repre-
sent the year. For example, 0101
means the 1st week of 2001.
! Other markings
The following makings are also
placed on the sidewall. ! Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
The maximum cold inflation pres-
sure to which this tire may be
inflated. For example, “300 kpa
(44 PSI) MAX. PRESS ”
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-3
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&Recommended tire inflation pressure
! Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle ’s tires is as follows,
Tire size P205/
55R16 89H P225/
60R16 97H P205/
50R17 88V 215/45R17
91W P225/
55R17 95V 215/45R18
89Y P215/
45R18 89W
Wheel size 16 66.5JJ 17 67JJ 18 67JJ
Pres- sure Front
32 psi
(220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/
cm
2) 32 psi
(220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/
cm2) 33 psi
(230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/
cm2) 35 psi
(240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/
cm2) 32 psi
(220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/
cm2) 33 psi
(230 kPa,
2.3 kgf/cm2)
Rear 30 psi
(210 kPa,
2.1 kgf/ cm
2) 30 psi
(210 kPa,
2.1 kgf/ cm2) 32 psi
(220 kPa,
2.2 kgf/ cm2) 33 psi
(230 kPa,
2.3 kgf/ cm2) 30 psi
(210 kPa,
2.1 kgf/ cm2) 32 psi
(220 kPa,
2.2 kgf/cm2)
Rear attrailer towing –
32 psi
(220 kPa,
2.2 kgf/
cm
2) –
32 psi
(220 kPa,
2.2 kgf/ cm2) –
Tempor-ary spare tire Size
T135/
80R16 T155/
70D17 T135/
80R16 T135/
70D17 T155/
70D17 T155/70D17
Pres- sure 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-5
– CONTINUED –

13-6Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
! Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver ’s side B-pillar.
Example:
The vehicle placard shows original
tire size, recommended cold tire
inflation pressure on each tire at
maximum loaded vehicle weight,
seating capacity and loading infor-mation. ! 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 in-
crease in temperature could cause
tread separation, and failure of the
tire(s). Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to anaccident. ! Measuring and adjusting air
pressure to achieve proper in-
flation
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and
before 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 temperature. It is
best to check tire pressure out-
doors before driving the vehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air
inside it expands, causing the tire
pressure to increase. Be careful not
to mistakenly release air from a
warm tire to reduce its pressure. &
Glossary of tire terminology
. Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more.. Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pres-
sure to which a tire may be inflated. . Recommended inflation pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer.. Intended outboard sidewall
(1) The sidewall that contains a