2011 SUBARU FORESTER snow chains

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) ............ 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD models .............................. 8-5
On-road and off-road driving .............................. 8-6
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-8
Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-8
Driving on snowy and icy roads .......................... 8-9
Corrosion protection .......................................... 8-10
Snow tires ......................................................... 8-10
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-11
Rocking the vehicle ............................................ 8-11 Loading your vehicle
......................................... 8-12
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-12
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-13
Roof rail (if equipped) ........................................ 8-14
Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped) ............ 8-14
Trailer hitch (dealer option) ............................... 8-16
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-16
When you do not tow a trailer .. .......................... 8-17
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-18
Warranties and maintenance .............................. 8-18
Maximum load limits .......................................... 8-18
Trailer hitches .................................................... 8-21
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-22
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 8-23Driving tips
8

tions may result in severe me-
chanical damage to the drive
train of your vehicle and may
affect ride, handling, braking and
speedometer/odometer calibra-
tion. It also may be dangerous
and lead to loss of vehicle con-trol.
. Do not use a combination of
radial, belted bias or bias tires
since it may cause dangerous
handling characteristics and lead
to an accident.
Your vehicle is equipped with “all season
tires ”as original equipment, which are
designed to provide an adequate measure
of traction, handling and braking perfor-
mance in year-round driving. In winter, it
may be possible to enhance performance
through use of tires designed specifically
for winter driving conditions.
When you choose to install winter tires on
your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire
size and type. You must install four winter
tires that are of the same size, construc-
tion, brand and load range and you should
never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires
since this may result in dangerous hand-
ling characteristics. When you choose a
tire, make sure that there is enough
clearance between the tire and vehicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times
regardless of the type of tires on yourvehicle.
& Tire chains
CAUTION
Tire chains cannot be used on your
vehicle because of the lack of
clearance between the tires and
vehicle body.
NOTE
When tire chains cannot be used, use
of another type of traction device (such
as spring chains) may be acceptable if
use on your vehicle is recommended
by the device manufacturer, taking into
account tire size and road conditions.
Follow the device manufacturer ’s in-
structions, especially regarding max-
imum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle,
and do not spin your wheels. Damage
caused to your vehicle by use of a
traction device is not covered under
warranty. Make certain that any traction device
you use is an SAE class S device, and
use it on the front wheels only. Always
use the utmost care when driving with
a traction device. Overconfidence be-
cause you are using a traction device
could easily lead to a serious accident. &
Rocking the vehicle
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the accel-
erator pedal slightly and move the shift
lever/select lever back and forth between“ 1 ”/“ D ”and “R ”repeatedly. Do not race the
engine. For the best possible traction,
avoid spinning the wheels when trying to
free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely
slippery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission
in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT).
If your vehicle is an AT model, for
information about holding the transmission
in the 2nd position, refer to “Selection of
manual mode ”F 7-19. Driving tips
8-11

Heater.................................................................... 1-6
Height adjustment .................................................... 1-4
Power ..................................................................... 1-4
Rear ....................................................................... 1-7
Seatbelt ................................................................. 5, 1-12
Fastening .............................................................. 1-13
Maintenance .......................................................... 1-19
Pretensioners ........................................................ 1-20
Safety tips ............................................................. 1-12
Warning light and chime ......................................... 3-13
Security Alarm system ........................................................ 2-15
ID plate ................................................................... 2-3
Immobilizer. ............................................................. 2-2
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-23
Shock sensors ....................................................... 2-19
Select lever ............................................................... 7-16
Position indicator ................................................... 3-24
Shift lock function ................................................... 7-17
Shock sensors ........................................................... 2-19
Shopping bag hook .................................................... 6-13
Snow tires ........................................................ 8-10, 11-31
Snowy and icy roads .................................................... 8-9
Sounding a panic alarm .............................................. 2-10
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-19, 12-3
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................... 3-8
SPORT mode ............................................................ 7-20
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-24
SRS Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-47 Frontal airbag
......................................................... 1-37
Side airbag ............................................................ 1-47
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)... 5, 1-33
SRS airbag system Monitors ................................................................ 1-57
Servicing ............................................................... 1-58
Warning light .......................................................... 3-15
Starting the engine ...................................................... 7-7
State emission testing (U.S. only) .................................. 7-6
Steering wheel Power ................................................................... 7-21
Tilt/telescopic ......................................................... 3-47
Stopping the engine ..................................................... 7-9
Storage compartment ................................................... 6-5
Sun shade ................................................................. 2-26
Sun visors .................................................................. 6-4
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ................ 1-33
Synthetic leather upholstery ......................................... 10-6
T
Tachometer ................................................................ 3-10
Temperature gauge ..................................................... 3-11
Temperature warning light AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-18
Coolant ................................................................. 3-16
Temporary spare tire .................................................... 9-2
Tether (child restraint system) .............................. 1-29, 1-31
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-14
Tire Chains .................................................................. 8-11
Inspection ............................................................ 11-32 Index
14-9