Page 319 of 490

318 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with a tire pressure moni-
toring system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your SUBARU dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled
correctly.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may
cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels
and body.
■Low profile tires and wheels
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wheel
when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay attention to
the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
Page 323 of 490
322 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
CAUTION
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.
Page 324 of 490

323
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or
cause loss of handling control.
■Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your SUBARU dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
SUBARU does not recommend using:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
■Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only SUBARU wheel nuts and wrenches designed for
use with your aluminum wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
●Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
●Use only SUBARU genuine balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.
Page 325 of 490

324 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring
system)
The wheels of your SUBARU are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure monitoring system to
provide advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be installed. ( oP. 3 1 3 )
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may result in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
■When installing the wheel nuts
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Be sure to install the wheel nuts with
the tapered ends facing inward.
Installing the nuts with the tapered
ends facing outward can cause the
wheel to break and eventually cause
the wheel to come off while driving,
which could lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
Tapered portion
Page 326 of 490
325 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Replacing tire inflation pressure warning valves and transmitters
(vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
SUBARU dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure
to purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
SUBARU dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine SUBARU wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.
Page 346 of 490
345 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Front side marker lights
Turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction of the light to
be replaced.
Turn the steering wheel to a point
that allows your hand to easily fit
between the tire and fender liner.
Remove the clips and partly
remove the fender liner.
To prevent damage to the vehicle,
cover the tip of the screwdriver
with a rag.
Release the light's claw.
Insert the screwdriver into the
hole. While firmly pushing the
screwdriver forward, move it
towards the inside of the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the vehicle,
wrap the tip of the screwdriver
with a tape.
Pull out the lamp and turn the
lens counterclockwise.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
Page 347 of 490
346 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Remove the light bulb.
When installing, reverse the steps listed.
■Front fog lights (if equipped)
Turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction of the light to
be replaced.
Turn the steering wheel to a point
that allows your hand to easily fit
between the tire and fender liner.
Remove the clips and partly
remove the fender liner.
To prevent damage to the vehicle,
cover the tip of the screwdriver
with a rag.
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP 1
STEP 2
Page 360 of 490

5
When trouble arises
359
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet to move the vehicle to a safe location or to free a stuck
vehicle from sand or snow. This should only be attempted on hard
surfaced roads for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle's wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, only the front towing
eyelet may be used.
Towing eyelet
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service, using a flat
bed truck.
The vehicle must be secured 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.