SUBARU OUTBACK 2007 4.G Owners Manual

13-6Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
! Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver ’s side B-pillar.
Example:
The vehicle placard shows original
tire size, recommended cold tire infla-
tion pressure on each tire at max-
imum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information. ! Adverse safety consequences
of under-inflation
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to flex severely and to rapidly
become hot. A sharp increase in
temperature could cause tread se-
paration, and failure of the tire(s).
Possible resulting loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. ! Measuring and adjusting air
pressure to achieve proper in-
flation
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and
before any long journey. Check the
tire pressures when the tires are cold.
Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the specific values.
Driving even a short distance warms
up the tires and increases the tire
pressures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the outside temperature. It
is best to check tire pressure outdoors
before driving the vehicle. When a tire
becomes warm, the air inside it
expands, causing the tire pressure to
increase. Be careful not to mistakenly
release air from a warm tire to reduce
its pressure. &
Glossary of tire terminology
. Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more. . Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure
to which a tire may be inflated. . Recommended inflation pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer. . Intended outboard sidewall
(1) The sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) The outward facing sidewall of

an asymmetrical tire that has a
particular side that must always
face outward when mounting on a
vehicle.
. Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather seats
and cross bars to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed
or not). . Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning. . Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and
production options weight. . Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants (3 occupants). . Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle,
2 in front, 1 in rear seat. . Production options weight The combined weight of those in-
stalled regular production options
weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in
excess of those standards items
which they replace, not previously
considered in curb weight or acces-
sory weight. .
Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. . Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight and dividing by two. . Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal occu-
pant weight and dividing by two. & Tire care –maintenance and
safety practices
. Check on a daily basis that the tires
are free from serious damage, nails,
and stones. At the same time, check
the tires for abnormal wear. .
Inspect the tire tread regularly and
replace the tires before their tread
wear indicators become visible. When
a tire ’s tread wear indicator becomes
visible, the tire is worn beyond the
acceptable limit and must be replaced
immediately. With a tire in this condi-
tion, driving at even low speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to
hydroplane. Possible resulting loss
of vehicle control can lead to an
accident. . To maximize the life of each tire
and ensure that the tires wear uni-
formly, it is best to rotate the tires
every 7,500 miles (12,500 km). Rotat-
ing the tires involves switching the
front and rear tires on the right-hand
side of the vehicle and similarly
switching the front and rear tires on
the left-hand side of the vehicle.
(Each tire must be kept on its original
side of the vehicle.) Replace any
damaged or unevenly worn tire at
the time of rotation. After tire rotation,
adjust the tire pressures and make
sure the wheel nuts are correctly
tightened. A tightening torque specifi-
cation and a tightening sequence
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-7
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13-8Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
specification for the wheel nuts can be found “Flat tires ”section in chapter 9.
& Vehicle load limit –how to
determine
The load capacity of your vehicle is
determined by weight, not by avail-
able cargo space. The load limit of
your vehicle is shown on the vehicle
placard attached to the driver ’s side
B-pillar. Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs ”on your vehicle ’s placard.
The vehicle placard also shows seat-
ing capacity of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the
total weight of driver and all passen-
gers and their belongings, any cargo,
any optional equipment such as a
trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier,
etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.
Therefore cargo capacity can be
calculated by the following method.
Cargo capacity = Load limit (total
weight of occupants + total weight of
optional equipment + tongue load of a
trailer (if applicable)) For towing capacity information and
weight limits, refer to
“Trailer towing ”
section in chapter 8. ! Calculating total and load ca-
pacities varying seating con-
figurations
Calculate the available load capacity
as shown in the following examples:
Example 1A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle
is 800 lbs (363 kg), which is indicated
on the vehicle placard with the state-
ment "The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed
363 kg or 800 lbs". For example, if the vehicle has one
occupant weighing 154 lbs (70 kg)
plus cargo weighing 551 lbs (250 kg).
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city by subtracting the total weight
from the vehicle capacity weight of
800 lbs (363 kg).
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 95 lbs (43 kg) of cargo can be
carried.

Example 1B
For example, if a person weighing 176
lbs (80 kg) now enters the same
vehicle (bringing the number of occu-
pants to two), the calculations are as
follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 81 lbs (37 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
81 lbs (37 kg) or more.
Example 2A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle
is 800 lbs (363 kg), which is indicated
on the vehicle placard with the state-ment
“The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed
363 kg or 800 lbs ”.
For example, the vehicle has one
occupant weighing 165 lbs (75 kg)
plus cargo weighing 265 lbs (120 kg).
In addition, the vehicle is fitted with a
trailer hitch weighing 22 lbs (10 kg), to
which is attached a trailer weighing
1,764 lbs (800 kg). 10% of the trailer
weight is applied to the trailer tongue
(i.e. Tongue load = 176 lbs (80 kg)).
1. Calculate the total weight.
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-9
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13-10Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city.
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 172 lbs (78 kg) of cargo can be
carried.
Example 2B
For example, if a person weighing 143
lbs (65 kg) and a child weighing 40 lbs
(18 kg) now enter the same vehicle
(bringing the number of occupants to three), and a child restraint system
weighing 11 lbs (5 kg) is installed in
the vehicle for the child to use, the
calculations are as follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 22 lbs (10 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
22 lbs (10 kg) or more. &
Determining compatibility of
tire and vehicle load capaci- ties
The sum of four tires ’maximum load
ratings must exceed the maximum
loaded vehicle weight ( “GVWR ”). In
addition, sum of the maximum load
ratings of two front tires and of two
rear tires must exceed each axle ’s
maximum loaded capacity ( “GAWR ”).
Original equipment tires are designed
to fulfill those conditions.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight
is referred to Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). And each axle ’s
maximum loaded capacity is referred
to Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
The GVWR and each axle ’sGAWR
are shown on the vehicle certification
label affixed to the driver ’s door.
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehicle ’s

suspension, axles and other parts of
the body.
Therefore, this means that the vehicle
cannot necessarily be loaded up to
the tire’s maximum load rating on the
tire sidewall. & Adverse safety conse-
quences of overloading on
handling and stopping and
on tires
Overloading could affect vehicle
handling, stopping distance, vehicle
and tire as shown in the following.
This could lead to an accident and
possibly result in severe personal
injury. . Vehicle stability will deteriorate.
. Heavy and/or high-mounted loads
could increase the risk of rollover. . Stopping distance will increase.
. Brakes could overheat and fail.
. Suspension, bearings, axles and
other parts of the body could break or
experience accelerated wear that will
shorten vehicle life. . Tires could fail.
. Tread separation could occur.
. Tire could separate from its rim. &
Steps for Determining Cor-
rect Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX pounds ”on
your vehicle ’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example, ifthe “XXX ”amount equals 1,400 lbs
(635kg). and there will be five- 150 lbs
(68 kg) passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 750 (5 6150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-11

13-12Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the relative
performance of passenger car tires in
the area of treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. This is to aid
the consumer in making an informed
choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. However, they do not apply to
deep tread, winter type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 12 inches or less, or to some limited
production tires.
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades. &
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and
climate. & Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire ’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perfor- mance.WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accelera-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing thetire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by

law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure. Reporting safety defects (USA)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehi-
cles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Subaru of
America, Inc. To contact NHTSA,
you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to:Administrator,NHTSA,400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor ve-
hicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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Index
14