Get Driving tips -> Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models) Guide for Subaru XV SUV First Generation (2010-2016)

8-19

Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

XV CROSSTREK models

CAUTION

Conditions

Maximum total trailer weight

. Adequate size trailer brakes are

When towing a trailer without brakes.

1,000 lbs (453 kg)

required when the trailer and its

When towing a trailer with brakes.

1,500 lbs (680 kg)

cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)

750 lbs (340 kg)

total weight.

When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade

continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an

. Before towing a trailer, check the

outside temperature of 1048F (408C) or above.

trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs

and tongue load. Make sure the

load and its distribution in your

vehicle and trailer are accepta-

ble.

! Total trailer weight

Total trailer weight

The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus

its cargo load) must never exceed the

maximum weight in the following table.

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8-20 Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

! Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and

! Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

(GVWR)

Certification label

GVWR is shown on the certification label

located on the driver’s door of your

Gross Axle Weight

vehicle.

Gross Vehicle Weight

The total weight applied to each axle

The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must

(GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle

never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight

Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and rear

Rating (GVWR).

GAWs can be adjusted by relocating

passengers and luggage inside the vehi-

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the

cle. The front and rear GAWR are also

combined total of the weight of the vehicle,

shown on the certification label.

driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch,

trailer tongue load and any other optional

To check both GVWR and GAWR and to

equipment installed on your vehicle.

confirm that the total weight and weight

Therefore, the GVW changes depending

distribution are within safe driving limits,

on the situation. Determine the GVW each

you should have your vehicle and trailer

time before going on a trip by putting your

weighed at a commercial weighing station.

vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to

prevent a change in weight distribution

while driving.

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Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

! Tongue load

Jack

Front

Tongue load

Bathroom scale

The tongue load can be adjusted by

Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from

The tongue load can be weighed with a

proper distribution of the load in the trailer.

8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight

bathroom scale as shown in the illustration

Never load the trailer with more weight in

and does not exceed the maximum value

above. When weighing the tongue load,

the back than in the front; approximately

of 200 lbs (90 kg).

be sure to position the towing coupler at

60 percent of the trailer load should be in

the height at which it would be during

the front and approximately 40 percent in

NOTE

actual towing, using a jack as shown.

the rear. Also, distribute the load as evenly

For vehicles with trailer brakes, the

as possible on both the left and right

trailer tongue load exceeds 200 lbs (90

sides.

kg) when calculated at 8% of the

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to

maximum total trailer weight.

prevent a change in weight distribution

Even in this case, the maximum value

while driving.

is 200 lbs (90 kg).

WARNING

If the trailer is loaded with more

weight in the back of trailer’s axle

than in the front, the load is taken off

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8-22 Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

& Connecting a trailer

the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

hitch or other trailer towing

This may cause the rear wheels to

equipment.

! Trailer brakes

skid, especially during braking or

. Do not use axle-mounted hitches

when vehicle speed is reduced dur-

as they can cause damage to the

WARNING

ing cornering, resulting in over-

axle housing, wheel bearings,

steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.

wheels or tires.

. Adequate size trailer brakes are

required when the trailer and its

Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and

cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)

& Trailer hitches

trailer. The use of a genuine SUBARU

total weight.

trailer hitch is recommended. A genuine

. Do not directly connect your

WARNING

SUBARU hitch is available from your

trailer’s hydraulic brake system

SUBARU dealer.

to the hydraulic brake system in

Never drill the frame or under-body

If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoid-

your vehicle. Direct connection

of your vehicle to install a commer-

able, be sure the hitch is suited to your

would cause the vehicle’s brake

cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-

vehicle and trailer. Consult with a profes-

performance to deteriorate and

ous exhaust gas, water or mud may

sional hitch supplier to assist you in

could lead to an accident.

enter the passenger compartment

choosing an appropriate hitch for your

through the drilled hole. Exhaust

vehicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch

If your trailer’s total weight (trailer weight

gas contains carbon monoxide, a

manufacturer’s instructions for installation

plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs

colorless and odorless gas which is

and use.

(453 kg), the trailer is required to be

dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.

Never use a hitch that mounts only to the

equipped with its own brake system.

Also, drilling the frame or under-

rear bumper. The bumper is not designed

Electric brakes or surge brakes are

body of your vehicle could cause

to handle that type of load.

recommended, and must be installed

deterioration of strength of your

For all types of hitches, regularly check

properly. Check that your trailer’s brakes

vehicle and cause corrosion around

that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are

conform with Federal, state/province and/

the drilled hole.

tight.

or other applicable regulations. Your

SUBARU’s brake system is not designed

CAUTION

to be tapped into the trailer’s hydraulic

brake system. Please ask your SUBARU

. Do not modify the vehicle ex-

dealer and professional trailer supplier for

haust system, brake system, or

more information about the trailer’s brake

other systems when installing a

system.

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Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

! Trailer safety chains

Connection of trailer lights to your vehi-

! Side mirrors

cle’s electrical system requires modifica-

WARNING

tions to the vehicle’s lighting circuit to

increase its capacity and accommodate

Always use safety chains between

wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights

your vehicle and the trailer. Towing

are connected properly, please consult

trailer without safety chains could

your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper

create a traffic safety hazard if the

operation of the turn signals and the brake

trailer separates from the hitch due

lights each time you hitch up.

to coupling damage or hitch ball

! Tires

damage.

WARNING

In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch

ball should break or become discon-

Never tow a trailer when the tem-

nected, the trailer could get loose and

porary spare tire is used. The tem-

create a traffic safety hazard.

After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,

porary spare tire is not designed to

check that the standard side mirrors

For safety, always connect the towing

sustain the towing load. Use of the

provide a good rearward field of view

vehicle and trailer with trailer safety

temporary spare tire when towing

without significant blind spots. If significant

chains. Pass the chains crossing each

can result in failure of the spare tire

blind spots occur with the vehicle’s stan-

other under the trailer tongue to prevent

and/or less stability of the vehicle.

dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that

the trailer from dropping onto the ground

conform with Federal, state/province and/

in case the trailer tongue should discon-

Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle

or other applicable regulations.

nect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient

are properly inflated. Refer to “Tires” F12-

slack in the chains taking tight turn

! Trailer lights

situations into account; however, be care-

ful not to let them drag on the ground.

Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and

CAUTION

For more information about the safety

proper inflation pressure should be in

chain connection, refer to the instructions

Direct splicing or other improper

accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s

for your hitch and trailer.

connection of trailer lights may

specifications.

damage your vehicle’s electrical

In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire

system and cause a malfunction of

when towing a trailer, ask a commercial

your vehicle’s lighting system.

road service to repair the flat tire.

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8-24 Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

If you carry a regular size spare tire in your

the rear, check the total trailer weight,

! Driving with a trailer

vehicle or trailer as a precaution against

GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then

. You should allow for considerably more

getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare

confirm that the load and its distribution

stopping distance when towing a trailer.

tire is firmly secured.

are acceptable.

Avoid sudden braking because it may

. Check that the tire pressures are

result in skidding or jackknifing and loss of

& Trailer towing tips

correct.

control.

. Check that the vehicle and trailer are

. Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-

CAUTION

connected properly. Confirm that

erations. If your vehicle has a manual

– the trailer tongue is connected

transmission, always start out in first gear

. Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)

properly to the hitch ball.

and release the clutch at moderate engine

when towing a trailer in hilly

– the trailer lights connector is con-

revolution.

country on hot days.

nected properly and trailer’s brake

. Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and

. When towing a trailer, steering,

lights illuminate when the vehicle’s

rapid lane changes.

stability, stopping distance and

brake pedal is pressed, and that the

. Slow down before turning. Make a

braking performance will be dif-

trailer’s turn signal lights flash when

longer than normal turning radius because

ferent from normal operation. For

the vehicle’s turn signal lever is oper-

the trailer wheels will be closer than the

safety’s sake, you should employ

ated.

vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In

extra caution when towing a

– the safety chains are connected

a tight turn, the trailer could hit your

trailer and you should never

properly.

vehicle.

drive at excessive speeds. You

– all cargo in the trailer is secured

. Crosswinds will adversely affect the

should also keep the following

safety in position.

handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-

tips in mind:

– the side mirrors provide a good

ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to

rearward field of view without a sig-

weather conditions or the passing of large

! Before starting out on a trip

nificant blind spot.

trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly

. Sufficient time should be taken to learn

. Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-

grip the steering wheel and slow down

the “feel” of the vehicle/trailer combination

hitch mounting are in good condition. If

immediately but gradually.

before starting out on a trip. In an area free

any problems are apparent, do not tow the

. When passing other vehicles, consid-

of traffic, practice turning, stopping and

trailer.

erable distance is required because of the

backing up.

. Check that the vehicle sits horizontally

added weight and length caused by

with the trailer attached. If the vehicle is

attaching the trailer to your vehicle.

tipped sharply up at the front and down at

8-25

Driving tips/Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models)

engine braking effect and prevent over-

. For CVT models, avoid using the

heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not

accelerator pedal to stay stationary on

make sudden downshifts.

an uphill slope instead of using the

parking brake or foot brake. That may

. When driving uphill in hot weather, the

cause the transmission fluid to overheat.

air conditioner may turn off automatically

to protect the engine from overheating.

! Parking on a grade

. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay

Always block the wheels under both

attention to the following indicators be-

vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply

cause the engine and transmission are

the parking brake firmly. You should not

relatively prone to overheating.

park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a

: Coolant temperature high warning light

hill or slope cannot be avoided, you

should take the following steps:

: AT OIL TEMP warning light

1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal

(CVT models)

Left turn

down.

Right turn

If the coolant temperature high warning

2. Have someone place wheel blocks

. Backing up with a trailer is difficult and

light and/or the AT OIL TEMP warning light

under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.

takes practice. When backing up with a

illuminates, immediately turn off the air

3. When the wheel blocks are in place,

trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.

conditioner and stop the vehicle in the

release the regular brakes slowly until the

When turning back, grip the bottom of the

nearest safe location. For further instruc-

blocks absorb the load.

steering wheel with one hand and turn it to

tions and additional information, refer to

4. Apply the regular brakes and then

the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right

the following sections.

apply the parking brake; slowly release

for a right turn.

– “If you park your vehicle in case of

the regular brakes.

. If the ABS warning light illuminates

an emergency” F9-2

5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (MT

while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing

– “Engine overheating” F9-13

models) or “P” position (CVT models)

the trailer and have repairs performed

– “Coolant temperature low indicator

and shut off the engine.

immediately by the nearest SUBARU

light/Coolant temperature high warn-

dealer.

ing light” F3-13

! Driving on grades

– “AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT

models)” F3-15

. Before going down a steep hill, slow

down and shift into lower gear (if neces-

sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the

Driving tips -> Trailer towing (XV CROSSTREK models) for Your Subaru XV SUV First Generation (2010-2016)

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