Get Driving tips -> Trailer towing Guide for Subaru XV SUV Second Generation (2017-2022)

8-16

Driving tips/Trailer towing

Trailer towing

maximum gross weight. The chains should

9. Confirm proper function of the hitch

cross under the trailer tongue to prevent

wire harness by individually activating the

S08AL

the tongue from dropping onto the ground

brake, stop and turn signal lights on the

Your vehicle is designed and intended to

in case it should disconnect from the hitch

trailer.

be used primarily as a passenger-carrying

ball. Allow sufficient slack in the chains

vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional

taking tight turn situations into account;

NOTE

loads on your vehicle9s engine, drivetrain,

however, be careful not to let them drag on

Always disconnect the trailer wire har-

brakes, tires and suspension and has an

the ground.

ness before launching or retrieving a

adverse effect on fuel economy.

watercraft.

If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety

WARNING

and satisfaction depend upon proper use

& If not towing a trailer

Do not connect safety chains to any

of correct equipment and cautious opera-

S08AK02

part of the vehicle other than the

tion of your vehicle. Seek the advice of

. Remove the ball mount from the hitch

safety chain hooks.

your SUBARU dealer to assist you in

receiver tube and insert the receiver cover

purchasing a hitch and other necessary

onto the hitch receiver tube.

towing equipment appropriate for your

. Place the dust cap over the four-pin

vehicle. Do not use towing equipment

connector of the hitch wire harness to

other than genuine SUBARU towing

protect against possible damage.

equipment. In addition, be sure to follow

. Occasionally lubricate terminals of the

the instructions for proper installation and

four-pin connector using terminal grease.

use provided by the trailer or caravan9s

manufacturer.

SUBARU assumes no responsibility for

injuries or vehicle damage that result from

trailer towing equipment, or from any

errors or omissions in the instructions

accompanying such equipment or for your

failure to follow the proper instructions.

Hitch harness connector

Regularly check that the hitch mounting

bolts and nuts are tightened securely.

8. Connect the hitch wire harness9s black

four-pin wire connector to the towing

trailer9s wire harness.

8-17

Driving tips/Trailer towing

& Warranties and maintenance

& Maximum load limits

! Total trailer weight

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S08AL01

S08AL02

SUBARU warranties do not apply to

WARNING

vehicle damage or malfunction caused by

trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to tow

Never exceed the maximum load

a trailer, more frequent maintenance will

limits explained in the following.

be required due to the additional load.

Exceeding the maximum load limits

(Refer to <Maintenance schedule under

could cause personal injury and/or

severe driving conditions= in the <Warranty

vehicle damage.

and Maintenance Booklet=.)

Under no circumstances should a trailer be

towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle with

CAUTION

any new powertrain component (engine,

transmission, differential, wheel bearings,

. Adequate size trailer brakes are

etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of

required when the trailer and its

Total trailer weight

driving.

cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)

The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus

total weight.

its cargo load) must never exceed the

. Before towing a trailer, check the

maximum total trailer weight in the follow-

trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs

ing table.

and tongue load. Make sure the

load and its distribution in your

vehicle and trailer are acceptable.

3 CONTINUED 3

8-18

Driving tips/Trailer towing

Crosstrek models

! Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and

Conditions

Maximum total trailer weight

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

(GVWR)

When towing a trailer without brakes.

1,000 lbs (453 kg)

S08AL0202

When towing a trailer with brakes.

1,500 lbs (680 kg)

750 lbs (340 kg)

When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade

continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an

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

Gross Vehicle Weight

The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must

never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating (GVWR).

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the com-

bined total of the weight of the vehicle,

driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch,

trailer tongue load and any other optional

equipment installed on your vehicle.

Therefore, the GVW changes depending

on the situation. Determine the GVW each

time before going on a trip by putting your

vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.

8-19

Driving tips/Trailer towing

prevent a change in weight distribution

! Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and

while driving.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

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! Tongue load

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Certification label

GVWR of your vehicle that is given by

SUBARU is shown on the certification

Gross Axle Weight

label located at the bottom of driver9s side

The total weight applied to each axle

Tongue load

door pillar of your vehicle.

(GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle

Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from 8

Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and rear

to 11 percent of the total trailer weight and

GAWs can be adjusted by relocating

does not exceed the maximum value of

passengers and luggage inside the vehi-

200 lbs (90 kg).

cle. The front and rear GAWR of your

vehicle that is given by SUBARU are also

shown on the certification label located at

the bottom of driver9s side door pillar.

To check both GVWR and GAWR and to

confirm that the total weight and weight

distribution are within safe driving limits,

you should have your vehicle and trailer

weighed at a commercial weighing station.

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to

3 CONTINUED 3

8-20

Driving tips/Trailer towing

This may cause the rear wheels to

skid, especially during braking or

when vehicle speed is reduced dur-

ing cornering, resulting in over-

steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.

& Trailer Hitches

S08AL03

WARNING

Never drill the frame or under-body

of your vehicle to install a commer-

Jack

Front

cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-

Bathroom scale

ous exhaust gas, water or mud may

The tongue load can be adjusted by proper

enter the passenger compartment

The tongue load can be weighed with a

distribution of the load in the trailer. Never

through the drilled hole. Exhaust

bathroom scale as shown in the illustration

load the trailer with more weight in the

gas contains carbon monoxide, a

above. When weighing the tongue load, be

back than in the front; approximately 60

colorless and odorless gas which is

sure to position the towing coupler at the

percent of the trailer load should be in the

dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.

height at which it would be during actual

front and approximately 40 percent in the

Also, drilling the frame or under-

towing, using a jack as shown.

rear. Also, distribute the load as evenly as

body of your vehicle could cause

possible on both the left and right sides.

deterioration of strength of your

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to

vehicle and cause corrosion around

prevent a change in weight distribution

the drilled hole.

while driving.

WARNING

CAUTION

If the trailer is loaded with more

. Do not modify the vehicle ex-

weight in the back of trailer9s axle

haust system, brake system, or

than in the front, the load is taken off

other systems when installing a

the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

hitch or other trailer towing

8-21

Driving tips/Trailer towing

& Connecting a trailer

equipment.

! Trailer safety chains

S08AL04

S08AL0402

. Do not use axle-mounted hitches

! Trailer brakes

WARNING

as they can cause damage to the

S08AL0401

axle housing, wheel bearings,

WARNING

Always use safety chains between

wheels or tires.

your vehicle and the trailer. Towing

. Adequate size trailer brakes are

trailer without safety chains could

Do not use a trailer hitch other than

required when the trailer and its

create a traffic safety hazard if the

genuine SUBARU trailer hitch. A genuine

cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)

trailer separates from the hitch due

SUBARU hitch is available from your

total weight.

to coupling damage or hitch ball

SUBARU dealer.

. Do not directly connect your

damage.

trailer9s hydraulic brake system

& When you do not tow a trailer

to the hydraulic brake system in

In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch

S08AL14

your vehicle. Direct connection

ball should break or become discon-

CAUTION

would cause the vehicle9s brake

nected, the trailer could get loose and

performance to deteriorate and

create a traffic safety hazard.

. The housing should be kept dirt

could lead to an accident.

For safety, always connect the towing

and corrosion-free at the points

vehicle and trailer with trailer safety

of contact. The surfaces only

If your trailer9s total weight (trailer weight

chains. Two chains should be used in

require cleaning with a cloth.

plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs

total, one to the right side and the other to

Grease or other lubricants

(453 kg), the trailer is required to be

the left side trailer tongue. Pass the chains

should never be used.

equipped with its own brake system.

crossing each other under the trailer

. If the ball is not installed, the

Electric brakes or surge brakes are re-

tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping

plastic insert should then be

commended, and must be installed prop-

onto the ground in case the trailer tongue

inserted for protection and to

erly. Check that your trailer9s brakes con-

should disconnect from the hitch ball.

prevent dirt.

form with Federal, state/province and/or

Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking

other applicable regulations. Your

tight turn situations into account; however,

When the ball is not used, place the ball

SUBARU9s brake system is not designed

be careful not to let them drag on the

cap and store securely.

to be tapped into the trailer9s hydraulic

ground.

brake system. Please ask your SUBARU

dealer and professional trailer supplier for

more information about the trailer9s brake

system.

3 CONTINUED 3

8-22

Driving tips/Trailer towing

Connection of trailer lights to your vehicle9s

In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire

! Side mirrors

electrical system requires modifications to

when towing a trailer, ask a commercial

S08AL0403

the vehicle9s lighting circuit to increase its

road service representative or profes-

capacity and accommodate wiring

sional to repair the flat tire.

changes. To ensure the trailer lights are

If you carry a regular size spare tire in your

connected properly, please consult your

vehicle or trailer as a precaution against

SUBARU dealer. Check for proper opera-

getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare tire

tion of the turn signals and the brake lights

is firmly secured.

each time you connect a trailer to your

vehicle.

& Trailer towing tips

! Tires

S08AL05

S08AL0405

CAUTION

WARNING

. For models equipped with the

Never tow a trailer when the tempor-

After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,

BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and

ary spare tire is used. The temporary

check that the standard side mirrors

RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)

spare tire is not designed to sustain

provide a good rearward field of view

driving support systems, when

the towing load. Use of the tempor-

without significant blind spots. If significant

towing a trailer, press the BSD/

ary spare tire when towing can result

blind spots occur with the vehicle9s stan-

RCTA OFF switch to deactivate

in failure of the spare tire and/or less

dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that

the system. The system may not

stability of the vehicle.

conform with Federal, state/province and/

operate properly due to the

or other applicable regulations.

blocked radar waves. For details

Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle

about the BSD/RCTA OFF switch,

! Trailer lights

are properly inflated. Refer to <Tires= F12-

refer to <BSD/RCTA OFF switch=

S08AL0404

CAUTION

F7-59.

Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and

. For models equipped with RAB

Direct splicing or other improper

proper inflation pressure should be in

(Reverse Automatic Braking)

connection of trailer lights may

accordance with the trailer manufacturer9s

system, consult your SUBARU

damage your vehicle9s electrical

specifications. Also check federal, state,

dealer for additional information

system and cause a malfunction of

province and/or other applicable regula-

about towing a trailer.

your vehicle9s lighting system.

tions.

. Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)

8-23

Driving tips/Trailer towing

trailer.

backing up.

when towing a trailer in hilly

country on hot days.

. Check that the vehicle rests horizon-

! Driving with a trailer

tally with the trailer attached. If the vehicle

. When towing a trailer, steering,

S08AL0502

. You should allow for considerably more

is tipped sharply up at the front and down

stability, stopping distance and

stopping distance when towing a trailer.

at the rear, check the total trailer weight,

braking performance will be dif-

Avoid sudden braking because it may

GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then

ferent when compared to normal

result in skidding or jackknifing and loss

confirm that the load and its distribution are

operation. For safety9s sake, you

of control.

acceptable.

should employ extra caution

. Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-

. Check that the tire rating and pressures

when towing a trailer and you

erations. If your vehicle has a manual

are correct.

should never drive at excessive

transmission, always start out in first gear

speeds. You should also keep the

. Check that the vehicle and trailer are

and release the clutch at moderate engine

following tips in mind:

connected properly. Confirm that:

revolution.

3 the trailer tongue is connected

. The braking power of the parking

. Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and

properly to the hitch ball.

brake may not be sufficient when

rapid lane changes.

3 the trailer lights connector is con-

stronger braking power is

. Slow down before turning. Make a

nected properly and trailer9s brake

needed (e.g., when parking on a

longer than normal turning radius because

lights illuminate when the vehicle9s

steep slope while towing a trai-

the trailer wheels will be closer than the

brake pedal is pressed, and that the

ler).

vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In a

trailer9s turn signal lights flash when

tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle.

the vehicle9s turn signal lever is oper-

! Before starting out on a trip

. Crosswinds will adversely affect the

ated.

S08AL0501

handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-

. Check the towing regulations for trailer

3 the safety chains are connected

ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to

or caravan vehicles that vary by state/

properly.

weather conditions or the passing of large

region. Failure to comply with the proce-

3 all cargo in the trailer is secured

trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly

dures set forth will not only compromise

safely in position.

grip the steering wheel and promptly begin

your safety, but will also negate your

3 the side mirrors provide a good

decelerating your vehicle at a gradual

insurance coverage and/or may violate

rearward field of view without a sig-

pace.

the state road and traffic acts and regula-

nificant blind spot.

tions.

. When passing other vehicles, consider-

. Sufficient time should be taken to learn

able distance is required because of the

. Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-

the <feel= of the vehicle/trailer combination

added weight and length caused by

hitch mounting are in good condition. If any

before starting out on a trip. In an area free

attaching the trailer to your vehicle.

problems are apparent, do not tow the

of traffic, practice turning, stopping and

3 CONTINUED 3

8-24

Driving tips/Trailer towing

. Reversing the vehicle with a trailer can

following procedure.

: AT OIL TEMP warning light

be difficult and requires experience. Never

(CVT models)

1. Reverse slowly and steer in the oppo-

accelerate or steer rapidly, and grip the

site direction to the way you want to turn.

If the coolant temperature high warning

bottom of the steering wheel with one

2. Once the trailer begins to swing

light and/or the AT OIL TEMP warning light

hand.

around, straighten the steering wheel.

illuminates, immediately turn off the air

3. Turn the wheel in the opposite direc-

conditioner and stop the vehicle in the

tion.

nearest safe location. For further instruc-

4. Steer the vehicle around to be in line

tions and additional information, refer to

with the trailer, then straighten the steering

the following sections.

again.

3 <If you park your vehicle in case of

an emergency= F9-2

. If the ABS warning light illuminates

3 <Engine overheating= F9-12

while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing

3 <Coolant temperature low indicator

the trailer and have repairs performed

light/Coolant temperature high warn-

immediately by your nearest SUBARU

ing light= F3-16

dealer.

3 <AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT

! Driving on grades

models)= F3-18

S08AL0503

. Before going down a steep hill, slow

. For CVT models, avoid using the

down and shift into lower gear (if neces-

accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an

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

uphill slope instead of using the parking

engine braking effect and prevent over-

brake or foot brake. That may cause the

heating of your vehicle9s brakes. Do not

transmission fluid to overheat.

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 following indicators be-

cause the engine and transmission are

relatively prone to overheating.

: Coolant temperature high warning light

To reverse around a corner, perform the

8-25

Driving tips/Trailer towing

! Parking on a grade

S08AL0504

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. 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 1st or reverse gear (MT

models) or <P= position (CVT models)

and shut off the engine.

Driving tips -> Trailer towing for Your Subaru XV SUV Second Generation (2017-2022)

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