2017 SUBARU OUTBACK Owners Manual

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

1. Pull out the integrated crossbars from
the roof rail holders by pulling up the
covers.
2. Slide the bars in the direction shown in
the illustration.
3. Install the bars into the holders.
4. Make sure that the latches are fitted
securely.!How to change the position of the
crossbar
WARNING
Carefully read the warning label
attached to the roof rail.
You can change the position of the rear
crossbar. To change the position, perform
the following procedure.
1. Take out the torque wrench from the
under-floor storage compartment.
2. Remove the cap of the roof rail holder
by using the torque wrench.
3. Remove the bolt of the crossbar by
using the torque wrench.
Driving tips/Loading your vehicle
–CONTINUED –8-17

Driving tips/Loading your vehicle
4. Pull out the crossbar from the roof rail
holder by pulling up the cover.
5. Install the crossbar into the other
holder.
6. Tighten the bolt of the crossbar by
using the torque wrench. The tighteningtorque is approximately 8.9
+2.2 lbf·ft (12
+ 3.0 N·m, 1.2 +0.3 kgf·m).
7. Install the plastic plug by pushing it
into the hole until it is fully seated.
! How to re-stow bars
CAUTION
Do not use the bars as roof rails
when the bars are stowed.
1. Check that the rear crossbar is stowed
in the front side holder.
2. Pull out the crossbars from the roof rail
holders by pulling up the covers.
3. Slide the bars in the direction shown in
the illustration.
8-18

4. Install the bars into the holders.
5. Make sure that the latches are fitted
securely.
!Rope hook (attached to the roof rail)
Rope hook
CAUTION
.When you use the rope hooks,
always secure the rope at all four
hook points.
. Do not tighten the rope exces-
sively. Otherwise, it may lead to
damage to the vehicle body or
cargo.
. Check that the rope is not loose
before driving the vehicle.
. When you use the rope hooks,
never exceed the maximum load
limit.
Load limit:
Observe the load limit that is indicated on
the rope hook.
Trailer hitch (Outback —if
equipped)
WARNING
. Never exceed the maximum
weight specified for the trailer
hitch. Exceeding the maximum
weight could cause an accident
resulting in serious personal in-
juries. Permissible trailer weight
changes depending on the situa-
tion. For possible recommenda-
tions and limitations, refer to
“ Trailer towing (Outback) ”F8-
22.
. Trailer brakes are required when
the towing load exceeds 1,000
lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer
has safety chains and that each
chain will hold the trailer ’s max-
imum gross weight. Towing trai-
lers without safety chains could
create a traffic safety hazard if
the trailer separates from the
hitch due to coupling damage or
hitch ball damage.
. Be sure to check the hitch pin
and safety pin for positive lock-
ing placement before towing a
trailer. If the ball mount comes off
Driving tips/Trailer hitch (Outback —if equipped)
–CONTINUED –8-19

Driving tips/Trailer hitch (Outback—if equipped)
the hitch receiver, the trailer
could get loose and create a
traffic safety hazard.
. Use only the ball mount supplied
with this hitch. Use the hitch only
as a weight carrying hitch. Do not
use with any type of weight
distributing hitch.
The maximum gross trailer weight and
maximum gross tongue weight are indi-
cated in the following table.
Maximum
gross trailer
weight Maximum
gross tongue
weight
Outback 2,700 lbs
(1,224 kg) 200 lbs
(90 kg)
When towing a trailer, refer to “Trailer
towing (Outback) ”F 8-22.
& Connecting a trailer
1. Remove the receiver cover from the
hitch receiver tube. Then insert the ball
mount into the hitch receiver tube.
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole
located on the hitch receiver tube so that
the pin passes through the ball mount.
3. Insert the safety pin through the
provided hole on the hitch pin securely.
4. Check the ball mount assembly by
pulling on it to make sure it does not come
off the hitch receiver.
8-20

1) Hitch ball installation point
2) Hooks for safety chains
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate
for the ball mount and your trailer. The
hitch ball must be securely installed on the
ball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with
safety chains that will hold the trailer’s
maximum gross weight. The chains
should cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping onto the
ground in case it should disconnect from
the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the
chains taking tight turn situations into
account; however, be careful not to let
them drag on the ground.
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to any
part of the vehicle other than the
safety chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness ’s black
four-pin wire connector to the towing
trailer ’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
wire harness by individually activating the
brake, stop and turn signal lights on the
trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire har-
ness before launching or retrieving a watercraft.
&
If not towing a trailer
. Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube and insert the receiver cover
onto the hitch receiver tube.
. Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch wire harness to
protect against possible damage.
. Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal grease.
Driving tips/Trailer hitch (Outback —if equipped)8-21