2016 SUBARU WRX suspension

the tires. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
& Wheel balance Each wheel was correctly balanced when
your vehicle was new, but the wheels will
become unbalanced as the tires become
worn during use. Wheel imbalance causes
the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at
certain vehicle speeds and detracts from
the vehicle ’ s straight-line stability. It can
also cause steering and suspension sys-
tem problems and abnormal tire wear. If
you suspect that the wheels are not
correctly balanced, have them checked
and adjusted by your SUBARU dealer.
Also have them adjusted after tire repairs
and after tire rotation.
CAUTION
Loss of correct wheel alignment
causes the tires to wear on one side
and reduces the vehicle ’ s running
stability. Contact your SUBARU
dealer if you notice abnormal tire
wear. NOTE The suspension system is designed to
hold each wheel at a certain alignment
(relative to the other wheels and to the
road) for optimum straight-line stability
and cornering performance.
& Wear indicators
1) New tread
2) Worn tread
3) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear
indicator, which becomes visible when
the depth of the tread grooves decreases
to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be
replaced when the tread wear indicator
appears as a solid band across the tread. WARNINGWhen a tire ’ s tread wear indicator
becomes visible, the tire is worn
beyond the acceptable limit and
must be replaced immediately. With
a tire in this condition, driving at
high speeds in wet weather can
cause the vehicle to hydroplane.
The resulting loss of vehicle control
can lead to an accident.
NOTE For safety, inspect tire tread regularly
and replace the tires before their tread
wear indicators become visible. Maintenance and service/Tires and wheels
– CONTINUED –11-35

vehicle (bringing the number of
occupants to three), and a child
restraint system weighing 11 lbs (5
kg) is installed in the vehicle for the
child to use, the calculations are as
follows: 1.
Calculate the total weight.
2.
Calculate the available load ca-
pacity. 3.
The total weight now exceeds
the capacity weight by 22 lbs (10
kg), so the cargo weight must be
reduced by 22 lbs (10 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 ’ smaximum
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 each
axle ’ 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.Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Tire information
– CONTINUED –13-13

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects/Uniform tire quality grading standards
.
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 Limit1.
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
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 − 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-13-14