
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Crosstrek models)
!Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improper
connection of trailer lights may
damage your vehicle ’s electrical
system and cause a malfunction of
your vehicle ’s lighting system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehi-
cle ’s electrical system requires modifica-
tions to the vehicle’ s lighting circuit to
increase its capacity and accommodate
wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights
are connected properly, please consult
your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper
operation of the turn signals and the brake
lights each time you connect a trailer to
your vehicle.
! Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tem-
porary spare tire is used. The tem-
porary spare tire is not designed to
sustain the towing load. Use of the
temporary spare tire when towing
can result in failure of the spare tire
and/or less stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle are properly inflated. Refer to
“Tires”F 12-
8.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer ’s
specifications. Also check federal, state,
province and/or other applicable regula-
tions.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire
when towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representative or profes-
sional to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your
vehicle or trailer as a precaution against
getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare
tire is firmly secured.
& Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
. For models equipped with the
BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
driving support systems, when
towing a trailer, press the BSD/
RCTA OFF switch to deactivate
the system. The system may not
operate properly due to the
blocked radar waves. For details
about the BSD/RCTA OFF switch, refer to
“BSD/RCTA OFF switch ”
F 7-56.
. Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)
when towing a trailer in hilly
country on hot days.
. When towing a trailer, steering,
stability, stopping distance and
braking performance will be dif-
ferent when compared to normal
operation. For safety’ s sake, you
should employ extra caution
when towing a trailer and you
should never drive at excessive
speeds. You should also keep the
following tips in mind:
! Before starting out on a trip
. Check the towing regulations for trailer
or caravan vehicles that vary by state/
region. Failure to comply with the proce-
dures set forth will not only compromise
your safety, but will also negate your
insurance coverage and/or may violate
the state road and traffic acts and regula-
tions.
. Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer.
. Check that the vehicle rests horizon-
tally with the trailer attached. If the vehicle
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is tipped sharply up at the front and down
at the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution
are acceptable.
.Check that the tire rating and pressures
are correct.
. Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that:
–the trailer tongue is connected
properly to the hitch ball.
– the trailer lights connector is con-
nected properly and trailer ’s brake
lights illuminate when the vehicle ’s
brake pedal is pressed, and that the
trailer ’s turn signal lights flash when
the vehicle’ s turn signal lever is oper-
ated.
– the safety chains are connected
properly.
– all cargo in the trailer is secured
safely in position.
– the side mirrors provide a good
rearward field of view without a sig-
nificant blind spot.
. Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the “feel ”of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up. !
Driving with a trailer
. You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may
result in skidding or jackknifing and loss of
control.
. Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-
erations. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, always start out in first gear
and release the clutch at moderate engine
revolution.
. Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.
. Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal turning radius because
the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In
a tight turn, the trailer could hit your
vehicle.
. Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and promptly begin
decelerating your vehicle at a gradual
pace.
. When passing other vehicles, consid-
erable distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
. Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn.
. If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed
immediately by your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Crosstrek models)
–CONTINUED –8-25

In case of emergency/If you park your vehicle in case of an emergency
If you park your vehicle in
case of an emergency
1) Models with multi function display
2) Models without multi function display
The hazard warning flasher should beused in day or night to warn other drivers
when you have to park your vehicle under
emergency conditions.
Avoid stopping on the road. It is best to
safely pull off the road if a problem occurs.
The hazard warning flasher can be acti-
vated regardless of the ignition switch
position.
Turn on the hazard warning by pushing
the hazard warning flasher switch. Turn it
off by pushing the switch again.
NOTE
When the hazard warning flasher is on,
the turn signals do not work.
Temporary spare tire
WARNING
.
Never tow a trailer when the
temporary spare tire is used.
The temporary spare tire is not
designed to sustain the towing
load. Use of the temporary spare
tire when towing can result in
failure of the spare tire and/or
less stability of the vehicle and
may lead to an accident.
. When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/trans-
mitter being transferred, the low
tire pressure warning light will
illuminate steadily after blinking
for approximately one minute.
This indicates the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) is un-
able to monitor all four road
wheels. Contact your SUBARU
dealer as soon as possible for
tire and sensor replacement and/
or system resetting.
9-2

Maintenance and service
Tire rotation..................................................... 11-26
Tire replacement .............................................. 11-27
Wheel replacement ........................................... 11-28
Aluminum wheels............................................. 11-28
Windshield washer fluid .................................. 11-28
Adding the windshield washer fluid .................. 11-29
Windshield washer fluid ................................... 11-29
Replacement of wiper blades .......................... 11-30Windshield wiper blade assembly ..................... 11-30
Windshield wiper blade rubber ......................... 11-31
Rear window wiper blade assembly .................. 11-32
Rear window wiper blade rubber ....................... 11-32
Battery............................................................... 11-34
Fuses ................................................................ 11-35
Installation of accessories ............................... 11-36 Replacing bulbs
............................................... 11-36
Headlights (models with HID headlights) ........... 11-36
Headlights (models without HID headlights) ...... 11-37
Front turn signal light ...................................... 11-38
Parking light .................................................... 11-38
Front fog light (if equipped) .............................. 11-38
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-38
License plate light ........................................... 11-41
Map light ......................................................... 11-42
Dome light and cargo area light ....................... 11-42
Trunk light ....................................................... 11-43
Other bulbs ..................................................... 11-43
Replacing key battery ...................................... 11-43Safety precautions........................................... 11-43
Replacing battery of access key ....................... 11-44
Replacing transmitter battery ........................... 11-45

Maintenance and service/Replacing bulbs
1) Low beam bulb
2) High beam bulb
3. Disconnect the electrical connector
from the bulb and remove the bulb from
the headlight assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Replace the bulb with new one. At this
time, use care not to touch the bulb
surface.
5. To install the bulb to the headlight
assembly, turn it clockwise until it clicks.
6. Reconnect the electrical connector.
7. Install the air intake duct with clips
(right-hand side).
8. Set the washer fluid filler pipe to the
original place and secure it by clip (left-
hand side).
&Front turn signal light
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.
Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU
dealer if necessary.
&Parking light
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.
Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU
dealer if necessary.
&Front fog light (if equipped)
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.
Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU
dealer if necessary.
&Rear combination lights
! 4-door models
1. Remove the clips from the trunk trim
with a flat-head screwdriver.
2. Open the rear portion of the trunk trim
11-38

panel as illustrated.
NOTE
Make sure that the“*”part of the trunk
trim in the illustration does not contact
the trunk lid stay. If the “
*”part is bent,
the trunk trim may be torn.
1) Stop light/Tail and rear side marker light
2) Rear turn signal light
3) Backup light
3. Remove the bulb socket from the rear
combination light assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket and
replace it with a new one.
5. Set the bulb socket into the rear
combination light assembly and turn it
clockwise until it locks. 6. Secure the rear trunk trim panel with
the clips.
!
5-door models
1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove
the upper and lower screws that secure
the rear combination light assembly.
2. Slide the rear combination light as-
sembly rearward and remove it from the
vehicle.
Maintenance and service/Replacing bulbs
–CONTINUED –11-39

Maintenance and service/Replacing bulbs
1) Rear side marker light
2) Rear turn signal light
3) Backup light
4) Stop light/Tail light
3. Remove the bulb socket from the rear
combination light assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket and
replace it with a new one.
5. Set the bulb socket into the rear
combination light assembly and turn it
clockwise until it locks.
1) Guide pins
2) Catch
3) Clip
6. Put the rear combination light assem-
bly into place while aligning the 2 guide
pins and a catch with the guide holes and
a clip on the vehicle.
7. Tighten the upper and lower screws.
11-40

Specifications/Fuses and circuits
Fuses and circuits
&Fuse panel located in the passenger compartment
Fuse
panel Fuse
rating Circuit
1 20A .Trailer hitch connector
2 15A —
3 15A .Door locking
4 10A .Front wiper deicer relay
5 10A .Combination meter
. Clock
6 7.5A .Remote control rear
view mirrors
. Seat heater relay
7 15A .Combination meter
. Integrated unit
8 10A .Stop light
9 15A .Front wiper deicer
10 7.5A .Power supply (battery)
11 7.5A .Turn signal unit
12 15A .Transmission control
unit
. Engine control unit
. Integrated unit
13 20A .Accessory power outlet
(center console)
. AC110V (If installed)
14 15A .Parking light
. Tail light
. Rear combination light
12-10