Get Driving tips -> Roof rail and crossbar Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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J Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped)

CAUTION

D For cargo carrying purposes, the roof rail must be used to-

gether with a roof crossbar kit and the appropriate carrying at-

tachment. The roof rail must never be used alone to carry cargo.

Otherwise, damage to the roof or paint or a dangerous road haz-

ard due to loss of cargo could result.

D When using the roof crossbar kit, make sure that the total

weight of the crossbars, carrying attachment and cargo does not

exceed the maximum load limit. Overloading may cause damage

to the vehicle and create a safety hazard.

HB8016BB

The roof rail is not designed to carry cargo by itself. Cargo can be car-

ried after securing the roof crossbar kit to the roof rail and installing the

appropriate carrying attachment. When installing the roof crossbar kit,

follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Roof slats are not designed to carry or hold cargo, but are designed as

the protector to prevent the roof from being damaged by cargo while it is

being loaded and unloaded on the roof crossbar or on any carrying

attachment.

When you carry cargo on the roof using the roof crossbar kit and a carry-

ing attachment, never exceed the maximum load limit explained below.

You should also be careful that your vehicle does not exceed the Gross

Driving tips

8-21

– CONTINUED –

Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and front and rear Gross Axle Weight Rat-

ing (GAWR). See the “Loading your vehicle” section in this chapter for

information on loading cargo into or onto your vehicle. The maximum

load limit of the cargo, crossbars and carrying attachment must not ex-

ceed 100 lb. (45 kg). Place the heaviest load at the bottom, nearest the

roof, and evenly distribute the cargo. Always properly secure all cargo.

B 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 crossbars, follow the

manufacturer’s instructions and make sure that the attachment is se-

curely fixed to the crossbars. Use only attachments designed specifi-

cally for the crossbars. A set of the crossbars is designed to carry

loads (cargo and attachment) of not more than 100 lb. (45 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 charac-

teristics.

Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard cornering and abrupt

stops. Crosswind effects will be increased.

B Removal and installation of the crossbars

CAUTION

Do not carry cargo on the roof when the crossbars are removed.

Luggage on the roof will be thrown forward or backward in sud-

den stops or rapid accelerations, resulting in a dangerous road

hazard.

The crossbars can be removed when you do not use the roof to carry

cargo.

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n To remove the crossbar

1. Loosen and remove the T–30 torxR head screw from the top of

each crossbar end support.

2. Rotate the lower clamp on the bottom of each end support down-

ward approximately 90°.

3. Carefully raise the crossbar from roof rails.

n To install the crossbar

Front crossbar:

Front crossbar has 100 LBS. Load Label on left-hand side.

HB1011BC

1. Before placing the crossbar on the roof rails, make sure that the

T-30 torxR head screw is removed from the top of each crossbar end

support.

2. Rotate the lower clamp on the bottom of each end support down-

ward approximately 90°.

3. With the front direction arrow label on the top right side of the

crossbar pointing toward the front of the vehicle, carefully place the

crossbar across the top of the vehicle so that the crossbar end sup-

ports rest on the top of the roof rails approximately 6 inches (152 mm)

rearward from the seam (joint) between the front roof rail support and

the roof rail.

4. Rotate (raise) the lower clamp up to the bottom of the roof rail and

loosely tighten the T-30 torxR head screw with the torxR wrench pro-

vided, through the top of the end support and into the threaded insert

in the lower clamp on each end of the crossbar.

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– CONTINUED –

NOTE

It may be necessary to squeeze the lower clamp and the end sup-

port together to compress the pads and gain a better alignment

of the pieces while trying to start the screw. Use care not to

crossthread the screw in the insert.

5. Adjust the alignment of the crossbar on the roof rails, and if avail-

able, use a T-30 torxR bit and torque wrench and tighten the T-30

torxR head screws to 30 to 35 inch lbs. (3.4 to 4.0 N-m, 0.35 to 0.41

kg-m) of torque (or tighten securely with the torxR wrench provided).

Rear crossbar:

HB1012BC

Install the rear crossbar in the same manner as the front crossbar.

NOTE

The rear crossbar should be positioned 6 inches (152 mm) for-

ward of the rear seam (joint) between the rear roof rail support

and the roof rail.

NOTE

Before each use of the roof crossbar, make sure the four T-30 cross-

bar clamp screws have been checked, and retightened if necessary

to 35 inch lbs. (4.0 N-m, 0.41 kg-m), as outlined in Step #5 above.

Driving tips -> Roof rail and crossbar for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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