2018 SUBARU WRX winter tires

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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
SUBARU dealer for repair.
WARNING
.Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is dan-
gerous. This indicates your brake
system may not be working prop-
erly. If the light remains illumi-
nated, have the brakes inspected
by a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
.If at all in doubt about whether the
brakes are operating properly, do
not drive the vehicle. Have your
vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
Vehicle Dynamics Control
system
WARNING
Always use the utmost care in driv-
ing–overconfidence because you
are driving a vehicle with the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system could ea-
sily lead to a serious accident.
CAUTION
.Even if your vehicle is equipped
with Vehicle Dynamics Control
system, winter tires should be
used when driving on snow-cov-
ered or icy roads; in addition,
vehicle speed should be reduced
considerably. Simply having a
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem does not guarantee that the
vehicle will be able to avoid
accidents in any situation.
.Activation of the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system is an
indication that the road being
travelled on has a slippery sur-
face; since having Vehicle Dy-
namics Control is no guaranteethat full vehicle control will be
maintained at all times and under
all conditions, its activation
should be seen as a sign that
the speed of the vehicle should
be reduced considerably.
.Whenever suspension compo-
nents, steering components, or
an axle are removed from a
vehicle, have an inspection of
that system performed by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
.Observe the following precau-
tions in order to ensure that the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem is operating properly:
–Fit all four wheels with tires of
the same size, type, and
brand. Furthermore, the
amount of wear should be the
same for all four tires.
–Keep the tire pressure at the
proper level as shown on the
vehicle placard attached to
the driver’s side door pillar.
–Use only the specified tempor-
ary spare tire to replace a flat
tire. With a temporary spare
tire, the effectiveness of the
Vehicle Dynamics Control
system is reduced and this
–CONTINUED–
Starting and operating/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
should be taken into account
when driving the vehicle in
such a condition.
.If you use non-matching tires, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem may not operate correctly.
.The Vehicle Dynamics Control
system helps prevent unstable
vehicle motion such as skidding
using control of the brakes and
engine power. Do not turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem unless it is absolutely neces-
sary. If you must turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem, drive very carefully accord-
ing to the road surface condition.
In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding
on a slippery road surface and/or during
cornering and/or an evasive maneuver,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
adjusts the engine’s output and the
wheels’respective braking forces to help
maintain traction and directional control.
.Traction Control Function
The traction control function is designed to
prevent spinning of the driving wheels on
slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to
maintain traction and directional control.
Activation of this function is shown byflashing the Vehicle Dynamics Control
operation indicator light.
.Skid Suppression Function
The skid suppression function is designed
to help maintain directional stability by
suppressing the wheels’tendency to slide
sideways during steering operations. Acti-
vation of this function is shown by flashing
of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation
indicator light.
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indi-
cator lightNOTE.The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem may be considered normal when
the following conditions occur.
–Slight twitching of the brakepedal is felt.
–The vehicle or steering wheel
shakes to a small degree.
–An operating sound from the
engine compartment is heard briefly
when starting the engine and when
driving off after starting the engine.
–The brake pedal seems to jolt
when driving off after starting the
engine.
.In the circumstances shown in the
following list, the vehicle may be less
stable than it feels to the driver. The
Vehicle Dynamics Control System may
therefore operate. Such operation does
not indicate a system malfunction.
–on gravel-covered or rutted roads
–on unfinished roads
–when the vehicle is fitted with
snow tires or winter tires
.Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system will cause operation of
the steering wheelto feel slightly
different compared to that for normal
conditions.
.It is always important to reduce
speed when approaching a corner,
even if your vehicle is equipped with
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system.
.Always turn off the engine before
replacing a tire. Failure to do so may
render the Vehicle Dynamics Control
Starting and operating/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
New vehicle break-in driving–the first 1,000
miles (1,600 km)...................................................8-2
Fuel economy hints................................................8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbonmonoxide)............... 8-2
Catalytic converter..................................................8-3
Periodic inspections...............................................8-4
Driving in foreigncountries...................................8-4
Driving tips for AWD models.................................8-5
Driving precaution..................................................8-6
Winter driving..........................................................8-6
Operation during cold weather............................... 8-6
Driving on snowy and icy roads............................. 8-8
Corrosion protection.............................................. 8-9Snow tires..............................................................8-9
Tire chains...........................................................8-10
Rocking the vehicle..............................................8-10
Loading your vehicle.............................................8-11
Vehicle capacity weight........................................8-12
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and Gross Axle Weight Rating)..........................8-12
Precautions for TYPE RA......................................8-13
Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped)..............8-13
Trailer towing........................................................8-14
Rear wing (TYPERA)...........................................8-15
Adjusting the angle of the rear wing.....................8-15
CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) parts.......8-16
Driving tips
8

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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle.
There is little difference in handling, how-
ever, during extremely sharp turns or
sudden braking. Therefore, when driving
down a slope or turning corners, be sure to
reduce your speed and maintain an ample
distance from other vehicles.
.Always check the cold tire pressure
before starting to drive. The recommended
tire pressure is provided on the tire
placard, which is located under the door
latch on the driver’s side.
.Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle
under hard-driving conditions such as
steep hills or dusty roads will necessitate
more frequent replacement of the follow-
ing items than that specified in the“War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
–Engine oil
–Brake fluid
–Rear differential gear oil
–Manual transmission oil (MT mod-
els)
–Continuously variable transmission
fluid (CVT models)
–Front differential gear oil (CVT
models)
.There are some precautions that you
must observe when towing your vehicle.
For detailed information, refer to“Towing”
F9-21.
Driving precautionWater entering the engine air intake or the
exhaust pipe or water splashing onto
electrical parts may damage your vehicle
and may cause it to stall. Never attempt to
drive through rushing water; regardless of
its depth, it can wash away the ground
from under your tires, resulting in possible
loss of traction and even vehicle rollover.
Winter driving&Operation during cold weath-
erCarry some emergency equipment, such
as a window scraper, a bag of sand, flares,
a small shovel and jumper cables.
Check the battery and cables. Cold tem-
peratures reduce battery capacity. The
battery must be in good condition to
provide enough power for cold winter
starts.
It normally takes longer to start the engine
in very cold weather conditions. Use an
engine oil of a proper grade and viscosity
for cold weather. Using heavy summer oil
will make it harder to start the engine.
Keep the door locks from freezing by
squirting them with deicer or glycerin.
Forcing a frozen door open may damage
or separate the rubber weather strips
around the door. If the door is frozen, use
hot water to melt the ice, and afterwards
thoroughly wipe the water away.
Use a windshield washer fluid that con-
tains an antifreeze solution. Do not use
engine antifreeze or other substitutes
because they may damage the paint of
the vehicle.
Driving tips/Driving precaution
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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
–When the vehicle has been left
parked during a snowstorm
Check for snow or ice buildup on
the suspension, disc brakes and
brake hoses underneath the ve-
hicle. If there is caked snow or
ice, remove it, being careful not
to damage the disc brakes and
brake hoses and ABS harness.
When parking for long periods in cold
weather, you should observe the following
tips.
1. For MT models, place the shift lever in
the“1”or“R”position. For CVT models,
place the select lever in the“P”position.
2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent
the vehicle from moving.
!Refueling in cold weather
To help prevent moisture from forming in
the fuel system and the risk of its freezing,
use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel
tank is recommended during cold weather.
Use only additives that are specifically
designed for this purpose. When an anti-
freeze additive is used, its effect lasts
longer if the tank is refilled whenever the
fuel level reaches half empty.
If your SUBARU is not going to be used for
an extended period, it is best to have thefuel tank filled to capacity.
&Driving on snowy and icy
roadsTo prevent skidding and slipping, avoid
sudden braking, abrupt acceleration, high-
speed driving, and sharp turning when
driving on snowy or icy roads.
Always maintain ample distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
to avoid the need for sudden braking.
To supplement the foot brake, use the
engine brake effectively to control the
vehicle speed. (Shift into a lower gear
when necessary.)
Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such beha-
vior can cause the wheels to lock, possibly
leading to loss of vehicle control.
An anti-lock brake system (ABS) en-
hances your vehicle’s braking perfor-
mance on snowy and icy roads. For
information on braking on slippery sur-
faces, refer to“ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System)”F7-35 and“Vehicle Dynamics
Control system”F7-37.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads such as snowy or icy
roads. This may cause loss of vehi-
cle control.
CAUTION
Avoid prolonged continuous driving
in snowstorms. Snow will enter the
engine’sintakesystemandmay
hinder the airflow, which could re-
sult in engine shutdown or even
breakdown.
!Wiper operation when snowing
Before driving in cold weather, make sure
the wiper blade rubbers are not frozen to
the windshield.
If the wiper blade rubbers are frozen to the
windshield, use the defroster and the
temperature set for maximum warmth until
the wiper blade rubbers are completely
thawed. Refer to“Climate control”F4-1.
If your vehicle is equipped with a wiper
deicer, use it. It is helpful to thaw the
windshield wiper blade rubbers. Refer to
“Defogger and deicer”F3-84.
When driving in snow, if frozen snow starts
Driving tips/Winter driving
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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
to stick on the surface of the windshield
despite wiper operation, use the defroster
and the temperature set for maximum
warmth. After the windshield gets warmed
enough to melt the frozen snow on it, wash
it away using the windshield washer. Refer
to“Windshield washer”F3-74.
Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the
wiper from working effectively. If snow is
stuck on the wiper arm, pull off the road to
a safe place, then remove it. If you stop the
vehicle at road side, use the hazard
warning flasher to alert other drivers. Refer
to“Hazard warning flasher”F3-8.
We recommend use of non-freezing type
wiper blades (winter blades) during the
seasons you could have snow and freez-
ing temperatures. Blades of this type give
superior wiping performance in snowy
conditions. Be sure to use blades that are
suitable for your vehicle.
CAUTION
During high-speed driving, non-
freezing type wiper blades may not
perform as well as standard wiper
blades. If this happens, reduce the
vehicle speed.
NOTEWhen the season requiring non-freez-
ing type wiper blades is over, replace
them with standard wiper blades.&Corrosion protectionRefer to“Corrosion protection”F10-5.&Snow tires
WARNING
.When you replacing or installing
winter tire(s), all four tires must
be the same for following items.
(a) Size
(b) Circumference
(c) Speed symbol
(d) Load index
(e) Construction
(f) Manufacturer
(g) Brand (tread pattern)
(h) Degrees of wear
For the items (a) to (d), you must
obey the specification that is
printed on the tire placard. The
tire placard is located on the
bottom of driver’s door pillar.If all of four winter tires are not
the same for items (a) to (h), there
is a possibility that serious me-
chanical damage could occur to
the drive train of your car, and
affect the following.
—Ride
—Handling
—Braking
—Speedometer/Odometer
calibration
—Clearance between the body
and tires
It also may be dangerous and
lead to loss of vehicle control,
and it can lead to an accident.
.Do not use a combination of
radial, belted bias or bias tires
since it may cause dangerous
handling characteristics and lead
to an accident.
Your vehicle is equipped with“summer
tires”as original equipment, which are
inadequate for driving on slippery roads
such as on snow-covered or icy roads.
When you choose to install winter tires on
your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire
size and type. You must install four winter
tires that are of the same size, construc-
–CONTINUED–
Driving tips/Winter driving
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tion, brand and load range and you should
never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires
since this may result in dangerous hand-
ling characteristics. When you choose a
tire, make sure that there is enough
clearance between the tire and vehicle
body.
Remember to drive with care at all times
regardless of the type of tires on your
vehicle.&Tire chains
CAUTION
You cannot use tire chains on your
vehicle because of the lack of clear-
ance between the tires and vehicle
body.NOTEEven though you cannot use tire
chains, use of another type of traction
device (such as spring chains) may be
acceptable if use on your vehicle is
recommended by the device manufac-
turer, taking into account tire size and
road conditions. Follow the device
manufacturer’s instructions, especially
regarding maximum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle,drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle,
and do not spin your wheels. Damage
caused to your vehicle by use of a
traction device is not covered under
warranty.
Make certain that any traction device
you use is an SAE class S device, and
use it on the front wheels only. Always
use the utmost care when driving with a
traction device. Overconfidence be-
cause you are using a traction device
could easily lead to a serious accident.
&Rocking the vehicleIf you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the accel-
erator pedal slightly and move the shift
lever/select lever back and forth between
“1”/“D”and“R”repeatedly. Do not race the
engine. For the best possible traction,
avoid spinning the wheels when trying to
free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely
slippery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission in
2nd than in 1st (MT models and CVT
models).
If your vehicle is a CVT model, for
information about holding the transmissionin the 2nd position, refer to“Selection of
manual mode”F7-25.
Driving tips/Winter driving
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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Parking brake stroke (models
without electronic parking
brake system)Check the parking brake stroke according
to the maintenance schedule in the“War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
When the parking brake is properly ad-
justed, braking power is fully applied by
pulling the lever up 7 to 8 notches gently
but firmly (approximately 45 lbf [200 N,
20.4 kgf]). If the parking brake lever stroke
is not within the specified range, have the
brake system checked and adjusted at
your SUBARU dealer.
Tires and wheels&Types of tiresYou should be familiar with type of tires
present on your vehicle.
!All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide an
adequate measure of traction, handling
and braking performance in year-round
driving including snowy and icy road
conditions. However all season tires do
not offer as much traction performance as
winter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snow
or on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by“ALL
SEASON”and/or“M+S”(Mud & Snow) on
the tire sidewall.
!Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability
tires best suited for highway driving under
dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving on
slippery roads such as on snow-covered or
icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered
or icy roads, we strongly recommend the
use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to
replace all four tires.!Winter (snow) tires
Winter tires are best suited for driving on
snow-covered and icy roads. However
winter tires do not perform as well as
summer tires and all season tires on roads
other than snow-covered and icy roads.
&Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (if equipped)The tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message by
sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low. The tire pressure monitor-
ing system will activate only when the
vehicle is driven. Also, this system may not
react immediately to a sudden drop in tire
pressure (for example, a blow-out caused
by running over a sharp object).
Maintenance and service/Parking brake stroke (models without electronic parking brake system)
11-30