Keys and doors/Rear gate (Outback)
pull it down holding the handle.
WARNING
.To prevent dangerous exhaust
gas from entering the vehicle,
always keep the rear gate closed
while driving.
. Do not attempt to shut the rear
gate while holding the recessed
grip. Also do not close the rear
gate by pulling the handle from
inside the cargo space. There is a
danger of your hand being
caught and injured.
CAUTION
. Do not jam a plastic bag in or
place cellophane tape on the rear
gate stays or scratch the stays
while loading or unloading cargo.
That could cause leakage of gas
from the stays, which may result
in their inability to hold the rear
gate open.
. Be careful not to hit your head or
face on the rear gate when open-
ing or closing the rear gate and
when loading or unloading car-
go.
& Power rear gate (if equipped)
WARNING
. When operating the power rear
gate, observe the following pre-
cautions. Ignoring the precau-
tions may result in an injury (e.
g., anyone ’s body is hit against
the rear gate or is caught in the
rear gate, etc.)
– Make sure there are no people
around the rear gate.
– Never let anyone get close to
the rear gate.
. When closing the rear gate, be
extremely careful to prevent any-
one ’s fingers, arms, neck, head
or other objects from being
caught in the rear gate. Other-
wise, serious personal injury
may be caused by entrapment.
. After opening the rear gate on a
slope by using the power rear
gate feature, the rear gate may
close. Make sure that the rear
gate has stopped completely
after opening it.
. When leaving the vehicle, always
carry the key for safety and never
allow an unattended child to remain in the vehicle. Failure to
follow this procedure could re-
sult in injury to a child operating
the power rear gate.
. The driver should be aware of
and pay careful attention to his/
her responsibilities.
. Use the power rear gate only
when the area around the rear
gate is clearly visible and when
you have checked that there is
no danger of people being
caught in the gate.
CAUTION
. When closing the rear gate after
opening it, make sure to use the
power rear gate. If you close the
rear gate manually with extra
force, the power rear gate may
be damaged.
. Do not install any accessories
other than genuine SUBARU
parts on the rear gate. If the
weight of rear gate increases
excessively, the rear gate stay
cannot support the rear gate
sufficiently when opening the
rear gate. Also, the power rear
gate may not function properly or
2-42
CAUTION
.If the reverse function is operated
3 times consecutively, automatic
opening and closing of the power
rear gate function will be can-
celed and the rear gate will stop
opening or closing suddenly.
However, the rear gate may open
or close depending on the rear
gate height when automatic op-
eration is ceased. Be careful that
the rear gate does not hit any-
one ’s head or face, etc. and that
fingers and baggage, etc. are not
caught in it.
. Take care not to damage the
touch sensors. Otherwise, the
reverse function may cease to
operate.
If, while opening or closing using power
rear gate, the rear gate catches persons
or baggage or hits an obstacle, an
electronic chirp will sound 3 times and
the rear gate will operate as follows.
When opening the rear gate: The rear
gate will automatically close.
When closing the rear gate: The rear
gate will automatically open.
1) Touch sensor
Touch sensors are attached on the left
and right edges of the rear gate. If the
touch sensors detect fingers, baggage,
etc. while closing by the power rear gate
function, an electronic chirp will sounds 3
times and the rear gate will open auto-
matically.
NOTE
When the rear gate is opened using the
reverse function, it will be opened fully
or to the height registered in the
memory function. !
Rear gate drop prevention function
If, while fully opened via the power rear
gate function, the rear gate is lowered by
the weight of snow and such, an electronic
chirp will sound and the rear gate drop
prevention function will apply braking to
the rear gate so that it prevents a rapid
closure of the rear gate.
NOTE
. If there is snow on the rear gate,
only use the power rear gate function
after removing the snow.
. If you close the rear gate manually
just after the rear gate is fully opened
using the power rear gate function, the
rear gate drop prevention function will
detect a rapid closure of the rear gate
and apply braking to the rear gate. In
this case, this is not a malfunction.
! Selecting audible signal operation
Using an electronic chirp, the power rear
gate will give you an audible signal before
starting its operation. If desired, the
audible signal can be turned off by a
SUBARU dealer. Consult your SUBARU
dealer for details.
For models with “keyless access with
push-button start system ”, you can turn
the audible signal off by operating the
multi information display. For details, refer
Keys and doors/Rear gate (Outback)
–CONTINUED –2-47
curve
–When another vehicle passes in
front of your vehicle
– When an oncoming vehicle or ve-
hicle ahead comes in and out of view
because of continuous curves, median
strips, roadside trees, etc.
. If the camera detects the light of the
front fog lights of an oncoming vehicle, the
headlight mode may change from the high
beam to the low beam automatically.
. The headlight mode may change from
the high beam to the low beam, or the low
beam mode may continue, when affected
by a street light, traffic signal, illumination
of an advertisement board, or a reflective
object such as a road sign and signboard.
. The timing of the change of headlight
mode may differ due to the following
factors.
–the vehicle condition (e.g., number
of passengers or weight of loaded
cargo)
– surrounding situation (e.g., move-
ment and direction of an oncoming
vehicle or vehicle ahead)
– detection limitations of the camera
angle& Headlight flasher
CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing
position for more than just a few
seconds.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever
toward you and then release it. The high
beam will stay on for as long as you hold
the lever. The headlight flasher works
even though the lighting switch is in the
off position.
When the headlights are on high beam,
the high beam indicator light “
”on the
combination meter also illuminates.
& Daytime running light system
WARNING
The brightness of the illumination of
the high beam headlights is reduced
by the daytime running light system.
The light switch must always be
turned to the “
”position when it
is dark outside.
The high beam headlights will automati-
cally illuminate at reduced brightness
when the engine has started, under the
following conditions.
. The parking brake is fully released.
. The light switch is in the off or “
”
position.
. The light switch is in the “AUTO ”
position and the headlights do not turn
on automatically.
. The select lever is in a position other
than the “P”position (CVT models).
NOTE
. When the light switch is in the “”
position, the front side marker lights,
tail lights and license plate lights are
illuminated.
. While the turn signal is flashing, the
high beam headlight on the side which
the turn signal is flashing turns off.
Instruments and controls/Light control switch
–CONTINUED –3-53
Interior equipment/Cargo area cover (Outback–if equipped)
2. Pull the handle toward you to extend
the cargo area cover. Then insert its hooks
into the catches as shown.
To rewind the cargo area cover:
1. Hold the handle located at the center
of the cargo area cover, pull it toward you
and lift up slightly to unlock the cargo area
cover from the catches.1) Stopper
2. Slowly rewind the cargo area cover
completely. Then lift the handle upward
slightly to lock the stoppers.
WARNING
Do not place anything on the ex-
tended cover. Putting excessive
weight on the extended cover can
break it and an object on the cover
could tumble forward in the event of
a sudden stop or collision. This
could cause serious injury.
CAUTION
. Be careful not to scratch the rear
gate stays while extending and
rewinding the cover. Scratches
on the stays could cause leakage
of gas from the stays, which may
result in their inability to hold the
rear gate open.
. When reclining the rear seatback,
move the front cover backward
so that the cover is not damaged.
& To install the front cover
CAUTION
When reclining the rear seatback,
move the front cover backward so
that the cover is not damaged.
6-16
New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............ 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ 8-5
Off road driving ................................................... 8-6
Legacy................................................................ 8-6
Outback .............................................................. 8-6
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-8Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-8
Driving on snowy and icy roads ......................... 8-10
Corrosion protection .......................................... 8-11
Snow tires ......................................................... 8-11
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-12
Rocking the vehicle ............................................ 8-12
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-14
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-14
Roof rack (Outback –if equipped) ...................... 8-15
Roof rails with integrated crossbars (Outback –if
equipped) ........................................................ 8-15
Trailer hitch (Outback —if equipped) .............. 8-19
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-20
If not towing a trailer .......................................... 8-21
Trailer towing (Legacy) ...................................... 8-22
Trailer towing (Outback) .................................... 8-22
Warranties and maintenance .............................. 8-22
Maximum load limits .......................................... 8-22
Trailer Hitches ................................................... 8-26
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-26
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 8-27
Driving tips
8
Driving tips/Loading your vehicle
&Vehicle capacity weight
The load capacity of your vehicle is
determined by weight, not by available
cargo space. The maximum load you can
carry in your vehicle is shown on the
vehicle placard attached to the driver ’s side door pillar. It includes the total weight
of the driver and all passengers and their
belongings, any optional equipment such
as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier,
etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.
&
GVWR and GAWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating and
Gross Axle Weight Rating)
Certification label
The certification label attached to the
driver ’s side door shows GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) and GAWR (Gross
Axle Weight Rating).
The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must
never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the
combined total of weight of the vehicle,
fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any
optional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore, the GVW changes de-
pending on the situation.
In addition, the total weight applied to
each axle (GAW) must never exceed the
GAWR. The front and rear GAWs can be
adjusted by relocating luggage inside the
vehicle.
Even if the total weight of your luggage is
lower than the vehicle capacity weight,
either front or rear GAW may exceed the
GAWR, depending on the distribution of
the luggage.
When possible, the load should be evenly
distributed throughout the vehicle.
If you carry heavy loads in the vehicle, you
should confirm that GVW and front and
rear GAWs are within the GVWR and
GAWR by putting your vehicle on a
vehicle scale, found at a commercial
weighing station.
Do not use replacement tires with a lower
load range than the originals because they
may lower the GVWR and GAWR limita-
tions. Replacement tires with a higher load
range than the originals do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
8-14
&Roof rack (Outback –if
equipped)
CAUTION
. For cargo carrying purposes, the
roof rail must be used together
with the roof rack. The roof rail
must never be used alone to
carry cargo. Otherwise, damage
to the roof or paint or a danger-
ous road hazard due to loss of
cargo could result.
. When using the roof rack, make
sure that the total weight of the
roof rack, carrying attachments
and cargo does not exceed the
maximum load limit. Overloading
may cause damage to the vehicle and create a safety hazard.
Cargo can be carried on the roof after
securing the roof rack to the roof. When
installing the roof rack on the roof, follow
the manufacturer ’s instructions.
The maximum load limit of the cargo, roof
rack and carrying attachments must not
exceed 176 lbs (80 kg) .Placethe
heaviest load at the bottom, nearest the
roof, and evenly distribute the cargo.
Always properly secure all cargo.
! Installing carrying attachments on
the roof rack
When installing any carrying attachments
such as a bike carrier, ski carrier, kayak
carrier, cargo basket, etc. on the roof rack,
follow the manufacturer ’s instructions and
make sure that the attachments are
securely fixed to the roof rack. Use only
attachments designed specifically for the
roof rack. A roof rack set is designed to
carry loads (cargo and attachments) of not
more than 165 lbs (75 kg) . Before
operating the vehicle, make sure that the
cargo is properly secured on the attach-
ments.
NOTE
Remember that the vehicle ’s center of
gravity is altered with the weight of the load on the roof, thus affecting the
driving characteristics.
Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard
cornering and abrupt stops. Crosswind
effects will be increased.
&
Roof rails with integrated
crossbars (Outback –if
equipped)
1) Integrated crossbars
CAUTION
. For cargo carrying purposes, the
bars must be used as crossbars
and be used together with the
genuine SUBARU carrying at-
tachment. The bars must never
Driving tips/Loading your vehicle
–CONTINUED –8-15
Driving tips/Loading your vehicle
be used alone to carry cargo.
Otherwise, damage to the roof or
paint or a dangerous road hazard
due to loss of cargo could result.
. When using the bars as cross-
bars, make sure that the total
weight of the carrying attach-
ment and cargo does not exceed
the 150 lbs (67.5 kg). Overloading
may cause damage to the vehicle
and create a safety hazard.
The bars can be used as crossbars.
Cargo can be carried after setting the
bars as crossbars and installing the
genuine SUBARU carrying attachment.
When you carry cargo on the roof using
the crossbars and a carrying attachment,
never exceed the maximum load limit
explained in the following. You should
also be careful that your vehicle does not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) and front and rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). For information
on loading cargo into or onto your vehicle,
refer to “Loading your vehicle” F8-13. The
maximum load limit of the cargo and
carrying attachment must not exceed the
allowable load limit described in the Own-
er ’s Manual of a genuine SUBARU carry-
ing attachment. Place the heaviest load at
the bottom, nearest the roof, and evenly distribute the cargo. Always properly
secure all cargo.
!
Installing carrying attachments on
the crossbars
When installing any carrying attachment
such as a bike carrier, ski carrier, kayak
carrier, cargo basket, etc. on the cross-
bars, follow the manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions and make sure that the attachment is
securely fixed to the crossbars. Use only
attachments designed specifically for the
crossbars. A set of the crossbars is
designed to carry loads (cargo and attach-
ment) of not more than 150 lbs (67.5 kg).
Before operating the vehicle, make sure
that the cargo is properly secured on the
attachment.
NOTE
. Remember that the vehicle ’s center
of gravity is altered with the weight of
the load on the roof, thus affecting the
driving characteristics. Drive carefully,
avoid rapid starts, hard cornering and
abrupt stops. Crosswind effects will be
increased.
. Restore the bars to the original
position when the bars are not used
as crossbars. !
How to use as crossbars
CAUTION
.Do not raise the bar higher than
necessary. The base of the bar
may be damaged.
. Be careful not to contact the bars
while sliding them. Otherwise,
the bars may be scratched or
the latch portions may be da-
maged.
. Do not slide the bar more than
necessary when sliding the bar.
The base of the bar may be
damaged.
. Do not allow the bar to fall on or
contact the roof panel or the
moonroof when sliding the bar.
Otherwise the roof panel may be
dented or the glass of the moon-
roof may be damaged.
8-16