2012 SUBARU FORESTER tires

13-10Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Replace any damaged or un-
evenly worn tires at the time of
rotation. After tire rotation, adjust
the tire pressures and make sure
the wheel nuts are correctly tigh-
tened. For information about the
tightening torque and tightening
sequence for the wheel nuts, referto “Flat tires ”F 9-6 .
& Vehicle load limit –how to
determine
The 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
seating capacity of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the
total weight of driver and all pas-
sengers 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 calculated by the followingmethod.
Cargo capacity = Load limit
(total
weight of occupants + total weight
of optional equipment + tongue
load of a trailer (if applicable))
For information about vehicle load-
ing, refer to “Loading your vehicle ”
F 8-12 .
For information about towing capa-
city and weight limits, refer to“ Trailer towing ”F 8-18 .
! Calculating total and load ca-
pacities varying seating con-
figurations
Calculate the available load capa-
city 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 statement
“The combined
weight of occupants 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 (300kg).

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- ties
The sum of four tires ’maximum
load ratings must exceed the max-
imum 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 Rat-
ing (GAWR). The GVWR and eachaxle ’s GAWR are shown on the
vehicle certification 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 vehi-cle
’s 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 conse-
quences of overloading on
handling and stopping and
on tires
Overloading could affect vehicle
handling, stopping distance, and
vehicle and tire performance in the
following ways. This could lead to
an accident and possibly result in
severe personal injury. . Vehicle stability will deteriorate.
. Heavy and/or high-mounted
loads could increase the risk of
rollover. . Stopping distance will increase.
. Brakes could overheat and fail. .
Suspension, bearings, axles and
other body parts could break or
experience accelerated wear that
will shorten vehicle life. . Tires could fail.
. Tread separation could occur.
. Tire could separate from its rim.
& Steps for Determining Cor-
rect Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs. ”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 kg or XXX lbs. 4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the “XXX ”amount equals
1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be
five- 150 lbs (68 kg) passengers in
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-13
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13-14Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capa-
city is 650 lbs. (1,400 750 (5 6
150) = 650 lbs)
5. Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your ve-hicle. Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the rela-
tive performance of passenger car
tires in the area of treadwear,
traction, and temperature resis-
tance. 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 maxi-
mum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passen-
ger cars. However, they do not
apply to deep tread, winter type
snow tires, space-saver or tempor-
ary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 12 inches
or less, or to some limited produc-
tion tires.
All passenger car tires must con-form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. &
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions 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 govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate. & Traction AA, A, B, C
The 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 spe-

cified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perfor- mance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplan-
ing, or peak traction charac-teristics.
& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing thetire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor labora-
tory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature 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 corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure. Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.)
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
defect exists in a group of vehi-
cles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Subaru of
America, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call
the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-
424-9153); go to http://www.safe-
rcar.gov; or write to: Administrator,
NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Ave-
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-15
– CONTINUED –

Overheating.......................................................... 9-13
Starting ................................................................... 7-7
Stopping ................................................................. 7-9
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-6
Floor mat .................................................................. 6-12
Fluid level Automatic transmission .......................................... 11-20
Brake .................................................................. 11-23
Clutch .................................................................. 11-24
Power steering ..................................................... 11-22
Fog light Indicator light ......................................................... 3-25
Switch .................................................................. 3-32
Folding mirror switch .................................................. 3-44
Front Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-21, 12-8
Fog light ............................................................... 3-32
Fog light indicator light ............................................ 3-25
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-20
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-48
Front seats .................................................................. 1-2
Forward and backward adjustment ............................. 1-3
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-5
Power seat .............................................................. 1-4
Reclining ................................................................. 1-3
Seat height adjustment (driver ’s seat) ......................... 1-4
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-2
Consumption indicator ............................................ 3-26 Economy hints
........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-3
Gauge ................................................................... 3-10
Requirements ................................................. 7-2, 12-4
Fuses ..................................................................... 11-44
Fuses and circuits .................................................... 12-11
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .. ............................. 8-13
Glove box ................................................................... 6-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-13
H
Hands-free system. ..................................................... 5-42
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-5
Rear seat ............................................................... 1-8
Headlight
Beam leveler. ......................................................... 3-31
Bulb replacing ...................................................... 11-45
Bulb wattage ........................................................ 12-15
Control switch ........................................................ 3-29
Flasher .................................................................. 3-30
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-25
High beam indicator light ............................................. 3-25
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................................. 3-30
Hill start assist (MT models) ............................... 7-31, 11-27
Warning light .......................................................... 3-21
HomeLink
®................................................................. 3-38 Index
14-5

Rear....................................................................... 1-7
Seatbelt ................................................................. 5, 1-12
Fastening .............................................................. 1-14
Maintenance .......................................................... 1-20
Pretensioners ........................................................ 1-20
Safety tips ............................................................. 1-12
Warning light and chime ......................................... 3-13
Security Alarm system ........................................................ 2-14
Immobilizer. ............................................................. 2-3
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 ........................................................ 8-11, 11-29
Snowy and icy roads .................................................. 8-10
Sounding a panic alarm .............................................. 2-10
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-17, 12-3
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................... 3-8
SPORT mode ............................................................ 7-20
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-24
SRS Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-48
Frontal airbag ........................................................ 1-38
Side airbag ........................................................... 1-48
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 5, 1-34 SRS airbag system
Monitors ................................................................ 1-58
Servicing ............................................................... 1-59
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) ................ 1-34
Synthetic leather upholstery ......................................... 10-5
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, 1-32
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-14
Tire Chains .................................................................. 8-11
Inspection ............................................................ 11-31
Pressures and wear .............................................. 11-31
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-35
Rotation .............................................................. 11-35 Index
14-9

14-10Index
Size and pressure ................................................ 12-10
Types .................................................................. 11-29
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). ...... 7-27, 9-9, 11-29
Warning light ......................................................... 3-18
Tires and wheels. ...................................................... 11-29
Tools .......................................................................... 9-4
Top tether anchorages ........................................ 1-29, 1-32
Towing ...................................................................... 9-14
All wheels on the ground ........................................ 9-17
Flat-bed truck ........................................................ 9-17
Hooks ................................................................... 9-14
Weight.................................................................. 8-18
Trailer
Connecting ............................................................ 8-16
Hitch ............................................................ 8-16, 8-21
Towing .................................................................. 8-18
Towing tips ............................................................ 8-23
Trip meter ................................................................... 3-8
Turn signal Indicator lights ....................................................... 3-24
Lever .................................................................... 3-31
U
Under-floor storage compartment ................................. 6-16
USB storage device operations .................................... 5-32
V
Valet mode ................................................................ 2-17
Vanity mirror ................................................................ 6-4
Vehicle
Capacity weight ..................................................... 8-13 Identification
........................................................ 12-18
Symbols .................................................................... 3
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-23
OFF switch ............................................................ 7-27
Operation indicator light ........................................... 3-23
System .................................................................. 7-25
Warning light .......................................................... 3-22
W
Warning and indicator lights ......................................... 3-12
Warning chimes Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
Warning light ABS...................................................................... 3-19
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-21
AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-18
Automatic headlight beam leveler ............................. 3-22
Brake system ......................................................... 3-20
Charge .................................................................. 3-17
CHECK ENGINE .................................................... 3-16
Coolant temperature high ........................................ 3-16
Door open ............................................................. 3-21
Hill start assist ....................................................... 3-21
Low fuel ........................................................ 3-11, 3-21
Low tire pressure .................................................... 3-18
Oil pressure ........................................................... 3-17
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
SRS airbag system ................................................. 3-15
Vehicle Dynamics Control ........................................ 3-22
Warranties ..................................................................... 1

Warranties and maintenance....................................... 8-18
Washing ................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing ................................................. 10-3
Wear indicators ......................................................... 11-34
Wheel Aluminum ............................................................. 11-37
Balance ............................................................... 11-33
Covers ................................................................. 11-36
Nut tightening torque ...................................... 9-6, 12-10
Replacement ........................................................ 11-36
Windows ................................................................... 2-20
Windshield Washer fluid ......................................................... 11-37
Wiper and washer switches ..................................... 3-34
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-39
Wiper deicer .......................................................... 3-45
Winter Driving .................................................................... 8-8
Tires ............................................................ 8-11, 11-29
Wiper and washer ...................................................... 3-33
Wiper deicer .............................................................. 3-45 Index
14-11