Get Driving tips -> Loading your vehicle Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

8-12 Driving tips

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 vehicle

If 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 1st (for MT, AT and CVT).

For information on holding the transmis-

sion in 2nd position, refer to “Selection of

manual mode” F7-25.

Loading your vehicle

WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride on a

folded rear seatback, in the trunk or

in the cargo area. Doing so may

result in serious injury.

WARNING

. Never stack luggage or other

cargo higher than the top of the

seatback because it could tumble

forward and injure passengers in

the event of a sudden stop or

accident. Keep luggage or cargo

low, as close to the floor as

possible.

. When you carry something inside

the vehicle, secure it whenever

you can to prevent it from being

thrown around inside the vehicle

during sudden stops, sharp turns

or in an accident.

. Do not pile heavy loads on the

roof. These loads raise the vehi-

cle’s center of gravity and make it

more prone to tip over.

. Secure long items properly to

prevent them from shooting for-

ward and causing serious injury

during a sudden stop.

. Never exceed the maximum load

limit. If you do, some parts on

your vehicle can break, or it can

change the way your vehicle

handles. This could result in loss

of control and cause personal

injury. Also, o verloading can

shorten the life of your vehicle.

. Do not place anything on the rear

shelf behind the rear seatback

(Legacy) or the extended cargo

area cover (Outback). Such items

could tumble forward in the event

of a sudden stop or a collision.

This could cause serious injury.

CAUTION

Do not carry spray cans, containers

with flammable or corrosive liquids

or any other dangerous items inside

the vehicle.

NOTE

For better fuel economy, do not carry

unneeded cargo.

& 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 certificat ion 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

Driving tips 8-13

– CONTINUED –

8-14 Driving tips

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

ve hicle scale, found at a commercia l

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.

& Roof rails with integrated

crossbars (Outback)

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

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 maximum load limit. Over-

loading 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 cro ssbars and insta lling 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” F8-12. 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.

Driving tips -> Loading your vehicle for Your Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

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