CAUTION

• 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 different from normal operation. For safety’s sake, you should employ extra caution when towing a trailer and you should never speed. You should also keep the following tips in mind:

▲ Before starting out on a trip

• Check that the vehicle and vehicle-tohitch mounting are in good condition. If any problems are apparent, do not tow the trailer.

• Check that the vehicle sits horizontally with the trailer attached. If the vehicle 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 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 connected properly and trailer’s stop 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 operated.

– 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 significant 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 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, causing 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 slow down immediately but gradually.

• When passing other vehicles, considerable distance is required because of the added weight and length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle.

• 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 the nearest SUBARU dealer.

▲ Driving on grades

• Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift into lower gear (if necessary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the engine braking effect and prevent overheating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not make sudden downshifts.

• When driving uphill in hot weather, the air conditioner may turn off automatically to protect the engine from overheating.

• When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to the water temperature gauge pointer and AT OIL TEMP warning light because the engine and transmission are relatively prone to overheating under these conditions. If the water temperature gauge pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illuminates, immediately turn off the air conditioner and stop the vehicle in the nearest safe location. For further instructions and additional information, refer to the following sections.

– “If you park your vehicle in an emergency” – “Engine overheating”
– “Temperature gauge”
– “AT OIL TEMP warning light”

NOTE

The temperature of engine coolant is less likely to rise to the OVERHEAT zone in the “D” position than in the manual mode position.

• Avoid using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or foot brake.

That may cause the transmission fluid to overheat.

▲ Parking on a grade

Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You should not park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you should take the following steps.

1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.

2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.

3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.

4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the parking brake; slowly release the regular brakes.

5. Shift into “P” and shut off the engine.