2014 SUBARU TRIBECA ECU

8-18Driving tips
secure all cargo.
!Installing carrying attachments onthe crossbars
When installing any carrying attachmentssuch as a bike carrier, ski carrier, kayakcarrier, cargo basket, etc. on the cross-bars, follow the manufacturer’s instruc-tions and make sure that the attachmentsare securely fixed to the crossbars. Useonly attachments designed specifically forthe crossbars. The maximum load limit ofthe cargo,crossbars and carrying attach-ments must not exceed150 lbs (68 kg).Before operating the vehicle, make surethat the cargo is properly secured on theattachments.
NOTE
Remember that the vehicle’s center ofgravity is altered with the weight of theload on the roof, thus affecting thedriving characteristics.
Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hardcornering and abrupt stops. Crosswindeffects will be increased.
!Removal and installation of thecrossbars
Each of the two roof moldings has twomounting points for crossbars. Eachmounting point is fitted with a cover. Usea screwdriver to remove the covers. Wheninstallingthe crossbars on the roof mold-ing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Trailer hitch (if equipped)
1) Trailer hitch
WARNING
.Never exceed the maximumweight specified for the trailerhitch. Exceedingthe maximumweight could cause an accidentresulting in serious personal in-juries. Permissible trailer weightchanges depending on the situa-tion. For possible recommenda-tions and limitations, refer to“Trailer towing”F8-21.
.Trailer brakes are required whenthe towing load exceeds 1,000lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer

has safety chains and that eachchain will hold the trailer’s max-imum gross weight. Towing trai-lers without safety chains couldcreate a traffic safety hazard ifthe trailer separates from thehitch due to coupling damage orhitch ball damage.
.Be sure to check the hitch pinand safety pin for positive lock-ing placement before towing atrailer. If the ball mount comes offthe hitch receiver, the trailercould get loose and create atraffic safety hazard.
.Use only the ball mount suppliedwith this hitch. Use the hitch onlyas a weight carrying hitch. Do notuse with any type of weightdistributing hitch.
The maximum gross trailer weight andmaximum gross tongue weight are indi-cated in the following table.
Maximumgross trailerweight
Maximumgross tongueweight
Vehicle with-out cooling kit2,000 lbs(906 kg)200 lbs(90 kg)
Vehicle withcooling kit3,500 lbs(1,587 kg)350 lbs(158 kg)
When you tow a trailer, follow the instruc-tions in“Trailer towing”F8-21.
&Connecting a trailer
1. Remove the receiver cover from thehitch receiver tube. Then insert the ballmount into the hitch receiver tube.
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole on thehitch receiver tube so that the pin passesthrough the ball mount.
3. Insert the safety pin into the hitch pinsecurely.
4. Pull the ball mount to make sure itdoes not come off the hitch receiver.
1) Hitch ball installation point2) Hooks for safety chains
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8-20Driving tips
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriatefor the ball mount and your trailer. Thehitch ball must be securely installed on theball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch withsafety chains that will hold the trailer’smaximum gross weight. The chainsshould cross under the trailer tongue toprevent the tongue from dropping onto theground in case it should disconnect fromthe hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in thechains taking tight turn situations intoaccount; however, be careful not to letthem drag on the ground.
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to partof the vehicle other than the safetychain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness’blackfour-pin wire connector to the towingtrailer’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitchwire harness by individually activating thebrake, right turn signal, left turn signal,stop,and parking lights on the trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnectthe trailer wire har-ness before launching or retrieving a
watercraft.
&When you do not tow a trailer
.Remove the ball mount from the hitchreceiver tube and insert the receiver coveronto the hitch receiver tube.
.Place the dust cap over the four-pinconnectorof the hitch wire harness toprotect against possible damage.
.Occasionally lubricate terminals of thefour-pin connector using the terminalgrease.

Certification label
!Gross Axle Weight (GAW) andGross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Gross Axle Weight
The total weight applied to each axle
(GAW) must never exceed the Gross AxleWeight Rating (GAWR). The front and rearGAWs can be adjusted by relocatingpassengers and luggage inside the vehi-cle. The front and rear GAWR are alsoshown on the certification label.
Certification label
To check both GVWR and GAWR and toconfirm that the total weight and weightdistribution are within safe driving limits,you shouldhave your vehicle and trailerweighed at a commercial weighing station.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured toprevent a change in weight distributionwhile driving.
!Tongue load
Tongue load
WARNING
If the trailer is loaded with moreweight in the back of trailer’s axlethan in the front, the load is taken offthe rear axle of the towing vehicle.This may cause the rear wheels toskid, especially during braking orwhen vehicle speed is reduced dur-ing cornering, resulting in over-steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weightand does not exceed the appropriate oneof the following maximum values.
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8-24Driving tips
Vehicle without cooling kit: 200 lbs (90 kg)
Vehicle with cooling kit: 350 lbs (158 kg)
1) Jack2) Bathroom scale
The tongue load can be weighed with abathroomscale as shown in the illustrationabove. When weighing the tongue load,be sure to position the towing coupler atthe height at which it would be duringactual towing, using a jack as shown.
F: Front
The tongue load can be adjusted byproper distribution of the load in the trailer.Never load the trailer with more weight inthe back thanin the front; approximately60 percent of the trailer load should be inthe front and approximately 40 percent inthe rear. Also, distribute the load as evenlyas possible on both the left and rightsides.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured toprevent a change in weight distributionwhile driving.
&Trailer hitches
WARNING
Never drill the frame or under-body
of your vehicle to install a commer-cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-ous exhaust gas, water or mud mayenter the passenger compartmentthrough the drilled hole. Exhaustgas contains carbon monoxide, acolorless and odorless gas which isdangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.Also, drilling the frame or under-body of your vehicle could causedeterioration of strength of yourvehicle and cause corrosion aroundthe drilled hole.
CAUTION
.Do not modify the vehicle ex-haust system, brake system, orother systems when installing ahitch or other trailer towingequipment.
.Do not use axle-mounted hitchesas they can cause damage to theaxle housing, wheel bearings,wheels or tires.
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle andtrailer.
The use of a genuine SUBARU trailerhitch is recommended. A genuineSUBARU hitch is available from your

8-26Driving tips
blind spots occur with the vehicle’s stan-dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors thatconform with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable regulations.
!Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improperconnection of trailer lights maydamage your vehicle’selectricalsystem and cause a malfunction ofyour vehicle’s lighting system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehi-cle’s electrical system requires modifica-tions to the vehicle’s lighting circuit toincrease its capacity and accommodatewiring changes. To ensure the trailer lightsare connected properly, please consultyour SUBARU dealer. Check for properoperation of the turn signals, stop lightsand parking lights each time you hitch up.
!Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tem-porary spare tire is used. The tem-porary spare tire is not designed tosustain the towing load. Use of thetemporary spare tire when towing
can result in failure of the spare tireand/or less stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicleare properly inflated. Refer to“Tires”F12-8.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating andproper inflation pressure should be inaccordance with the trailer manufacturer’sspecifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tirewhen towing a trailer, ask a commercialroad service to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in yourvehicle or trailer as a precaution againstgetting a flat tire, be sure that the sparetire is firmly secured.
&Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
.Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)when towing a trailer in hillycountry on hot days.
.When towing a trailer, steering,stability, stopping distance andbraking performance will be dif-ferent from normal operation. Forsafety’s sake, you should employ
extra caution when towing atrailer and you should neverspeed. You should also keep thefollowing tips in mind:
!Before starting out on a trip
.Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-hitch mounting are in good condition. Ifany problems are apparent, do not tow thetrailer.
.Check that the vehicle sits horizontallywith the trailer attached. If the vehicle istippedsharply up at the front and down atthe rear, check the total trailer weight,GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, thenconfirm that the load and its distributionare acceptable.
.Check that the tire pressures arecorrect.
.Checkthat the vehicle and trailer areconnected properly. Confirm that–the trailer tongue is connectedproperly to the hitch ball.–the trailer lights connector is con-nected properly and trailer’s stop lightsilluminate when the vehicle’s brakepedal is pressed, and that the trailer’sturn signal lights flash when thevehicle’s turn signal lever is operated.–the safety chains are connectedproperly.

–all cargo in the trailer is securedsafely in position.–the side mirrors provide a goodrearward field of view without a sig-nificant blind spot..Sufficient time should be taken to learnthe“feel”of the vehicle/trailer combinationbefore starting out on a trip. In an area freeof traffic, practice turning, stopping andbacking up.
!Driving with a trailer
.You should allow for considerably morestopping distance when towing a trailer.Avoid sudden braking because it mayresult in skidding or jackknifing and loss ofcontrol.
.Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns andrapid lane changes.
.Slow down before turning. Make alonger than normal turning radius becausethe trailer wheels will be closer than thevehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Ina tight turn, the trailer could hit yourvehicle.
.Crosswinds will adversely affect thehandling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-ing sway. Crosswinds can be due toweather conditions or the passing of largetrucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmlygrip the steering wheel and slow downimmediately but gradually.
.When passing other vehicles, consid-erable distance is required because of theadded weight and length caused byattaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn2) Right turn
.Backing up with a trailer is difficult andtakes practice. When backing up with atrailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.When turning back, grip the bottom of thesteering wheel with one hand and turn it tothe left for a left turn, and turn it to the rightfor a right turn.
.If the ABS warning light illuminateswhile the vehicle is in motion, stop towingthe trailer and have repairs performedimmediately by the nearest SUBARUdealer.
!Driving on grades
.Before going down a steep hill, slowdown and shift into lower gear (if neces-sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize theengine braking effect and prevent over-heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do notmake sudden downshifts.
.When driving uphill in hot weather, theair conditioner may turn off automaticallyto protect the engine from overheating.
.When driving uphill in hot weather, payattention to the water temperature gaugepointer and AT OIL TEMP warning lightbecause the engine and transmission arerelatively prone to overheating underthese conditions. If the water temperaturegauge pointer approaches the OVER-HEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP warninglight illuminates, immediately turn off theair conditioner and stop the vehicle in thenearest safe location. For further instruc-tions and additional information, refer tothe following sections.–“If you park your vehicle in anemergency”F9-2–“Engine overheating”F9-14–“Temperature gauge”F3-8–“AT OIL TEMP warning light”F3-13
NOTE
The temperature of engine coolant isless likely to rise to the OVERHEAT
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of the tire facing up).
3. Turn the hoist shaft end clockwise withthe wheel nut wrench to wind the cable upcompletely until you hear a few clickingsounds.Confirm that the temporary sparetire holding cable has been wound upcompletely by shaking the temporary tire.
CAUTION
If the temporary spare tire is notstored securely, it could damageadjacent areas of the vehicle andmake an abnormal noise.
4. Place the wheel nut wrench andextension back into the tool bag and storethe jackand tool bag in their storagelocations.
5. Fit the lid of the cargo area.
CAUTION
.When stowing a flat tire in thespare tire holder, turn the hoistshaft end only slowly. If it isturned quickly, the wheel disc ofthe flat tire could be damaged.
.Afull-sizeflattireshouldbestowed in the spare tire holderin an emergency only. After hav-ingthe flat tire repaired, immedi-ately swap it with the temporaryspare tire.
.Remember that the tread width ofa flat tire is wider than that of thetemporary spare tire. When car-rying a flat tire stowed in thespare tire holder, make sure thetiredoes not touch any obsta-cles.
Temporary spare tire
WARNING
.Never tow a trailer when thetemporary spare tire is used.The temporary spare tire is notdesigned to sustain the towingload. Use of the temporary sparetire when towing can result infailure of the spare tire and/orless stability of the vehicle andmay lead to an accident.
.When a spare tire is mounted or awheel rim is replaced without theoriginal pressure sensor/trans-mitter being transferred, the lowtire pressure warning light willilluminate steadily after blinkingfor approximately one minute.This indicates the tire pressuremonitoring system (TPMS) is un-able to monitor all four roadwheels. Contact your SUBARUdealer as soon as possible fortire and sensor replacement and/or system resetting.
In case of emergency9-5
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