towing SUBARU BAJA 2003 1.G Owners Manual

xii
Illustrated index Exterior
HBF047BB
1 Hood lock release (page 11-5)
2 Headlight switch (page 3-17)
3 Bulb replacement (page 11-54)
4 Wiper switch (page 3-24)
5 Moonroof (page 2-30)
6 Roof rail (page 6-23) 7
Door locks (page 2-3)
8 Tire pressure (page 11-37)
9 Flat tires (page 9-11)
Q Tire chains (page 8-14)
W Fog light switch (page 3-22)
E Tie-down hooks (page 9-22)
R Towing hook (page 9-22)

xiii
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HBF048BB
1 Rear window defogger switch (page 3-26)
2 Fuel filler lid (page 7-4)
3 Child safety locks (page 2-20)
4 Towing hook (page 9-22)
5 Tailgate (page 2-23) 6
Tie-down hooks (page 9-22)
7 Bulb replacement (page 11-52)
8 Licence plate bracket (page2-24)

3-12
turn off immediately. It may take several driving trips. If the light does
not go out, take your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer
immediately. If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire condition has
been detected which may damage the emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control system, youshould do the following: Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on
steadily after several driving trips. You should have your vehicle
checked by an authorized SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
charging system is not working properly. If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the alterna-
tor belt. If the belt is loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but
the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately. Oil pressure warning light
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on. This may cause serious engine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
engine oil pressure is low and the lubricating system is not working prop-
erly.

Interior and exterior equipments6-17
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CONTINUED –
Bed extender (if equipped)
The bed extender is designed to increase the usable cargo area of the bed.
CAUTION
When the tailgate and bed extender are in the “open/outward”
position, the license plate bracket must be lowered and lockedinto position before the vehicle is driven (see section “License
plate bracket ” under the heading of “Tailgate” in Chapter 2 for
more information on the function of the license plate bracket). In
order to avoid damaging the license plate bracket or the bumper,
make certain that the license plate bracket is in its fully lowered/open position before the tailgate is lowered. Do not exceed the cargo load rating of your vehicle. Refer to
“ Loading your vehicle ” section in Chapter 8.
Locking buckles must be engaged into the tailgate latch while
the vehicle is in motion. When the bed extender is not in use, the tailgate should be
closed. Do not use the bed extender or tailgate to secure cargo.
Remove the bed extender for vehicle “Off Road ” use.
To avoid creating a dangerous road hazard or causing per-
sonal injury, cargo must not stick out beyond the bed extender. To avoid damage, the tailgate and bed extender must remain in
the closed/inward position when towing with a trailer hitch. To avoid damage, clean the bed extender only with soap, water
and a soft brush.

8
Driving tips New vehicle break-in driving –
the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy hints 8-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic inspections 8-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in foreign countries 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off road driving 8-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 8-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire chains 8-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rocking the vehicle 8-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle capacity weight 8-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitch (if equipped) 8-19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 8-24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Driving tips8-7
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ing. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to
reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles.When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, circum-
ference, construction, brand, and load range as the original tires listed on
the tire placard. Using other sizes, circumferences or construction may re-
sult in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and
may affect ride, handling, braking, speedometer/odometer calibration, and
clearance between the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead
to loss of vehicle control. If you use a temporary spare tire to replace a flat tire, be sure to use
the original temporary spare tire stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes
may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle. Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive. The rec-
ommended tire pressure is provided on the tire placard, which is locatedunder the door latch on the driver ’s side.
Tire chains should always be placed on the front wheels only.
There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your
vehicle. For detail information, see “Towing” section in Chapter 9.
Off road driving
WARNING
Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road
and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on asharp turn, during sudden braking or under other similar condi-tions. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence
because you are driving an all wheel drive vehicle could easilylead to a serious accident.
Because of the AWD feature and higher ground clearance, your Subaru
can be driven on ordinary roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that
an AWD Subaru is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all-ter-
rain vehicle. If you do take your Subaru off-road, certain common sense
precautions such as the following should be taken:

8-8
Make certain that you and all of your passengers are wearing seat
belts. Carry some emergency equipment, such as a towing rope or chain, a
shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit and portable phone or citizens bandradio. Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous
areas or over rough terrain. Slow down and employ extra caution at all times. When driving off-
road, you will not have the benefit of marked traffic lanes, banked
curves, traffic signs and the like. Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead, drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. A vehicle can much more easily tip over side-
ways than it can end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes
that are too steep. Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, especially at higher speeds.
Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fin-gers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first
check the depth of the water and the bottom of the stream bed for firm-
ness and ensure that the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly and com-
pletely through the stream. The water should be shallow enough that it
does not reach the vehicle ’s undercarriage. Water entering the engine air
intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may
damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. Never attempt to drive
through rushing water; regardless of its depth, it can wash away the
ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and
even vehicle rollover. Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving
in sand, mud or water. Do this by driving slowly and stepping on the
brake pedal. Repeat that process several times to dry out the brakediscs and brake pads. Do not drive or park over or near flammable materials such as dry
grass or fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The exhaust system is
very hot while the engine is running and right after engine stops. This
could create a fire hazard.

Driving tips8-17
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Vehicle capacity weight
HB8042BA
HB8031BA
The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by weight, not by avail-
able cargo space. The total weight you can carry in your vehicle is
shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label at-
tached to the driver ’s side door jamb. It includes the total weight of 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.
The tire information label also shows tire pressures for the vehicle when
fully loaded and for the vehicle when towing a trailer. Adjust the tire pres-
sures to the values that match current loading conditions.

Driving tips8-19
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Trailer hitch (if equipped)
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum weight specified for the trailer
hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident resulting in serious personal injuries. Permissible trailer weight
changes depending on the situation. Refer to the next section“ Trailer towing ” for possible recommendations and limitations.
Trailer brakes are required when the towing load exceeds
1,000 lbs. (453 kg). Be sure your trailer has safety chains and that
each chain will hold the trailer ’s maximum gross weight. Towing
trailers without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazardif the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage orhitch ball damage. Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin for positive lock-
ing placement before towing a trailer. If the ball mount comes off
the hitch receiver, the trailer could get loose and create a trafficsafety hazard. Use only the ball mount supplied with this hitch. Use the hitch
only as a weight carrying hitch. Do not use with any type ofweight distributing hitch.
The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated load. A maximum of
2,400 lbs. (1,087 kg) gross trailer weight and a maximum of 200 lbs. (90
kg) gross tongue weight are permissible for the trailer hitch.
When you tow a trailer, follow the instructions in the next section “Trailer
towing”.

Driving tips8-23
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9. Connect the hitch wire harness ’s black four –pin wire connector to
the towing trailer ’s wire harness.
HB8021BB
10. Confirm proper function of the hitch wire harness by individually
activating the brake, right turn signal, left turn signal, stop, and park-
ing lights on the trailer. NOTE Always disconnect the trailer wire harness before launching or retrieving a watercraft. When you are not towing a trailer CAUTION
Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube when the tail-
gate is open and the bed extender is used. The rear license platewill not be visible because the license plate bracket can not beused at the lowered/open position when the ball mount is con-nected.
Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube and insert the
receiver cover onto the hitch receiver tube. Place the dust cap over the four –pin connector of the hitch wire
harness to protect against possible damage. Occasionally lubricate the terminals of the four –pin connector us-
ing terminal grease, and cover with the attached rubber cap.