Towing SUBARU BAJA 2005 1.G Owners Manual

12
Illustrated index „Exterior
13 12 11 10 9 8 12
3 5 6
4
7UBF047BB
1) Hood lock release knob (page 11-5)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-18)
3) Bulb replacement (page 11-64)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-25)
5) Moonroof (page 2-31)
6) Roof rail (page 6-24)
7) Door locks (page 2-3)
8) Tire pressure (page 11-46)
9) Flat tires (page 9-12)
10) Tire chains (page 8-15)
11) Fog light button (page 3-23)
12) Tie-down hooks (page 9-23)
13) Towing hook (page 9-23)

13
–
CONTINUED –
4
85 12
3
6
7UBF048BB
1) Rear window defogger button
(page 3-26)
2) Fuel filler lid (page 7-4)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-21)
4) Towing hook (page 9-23)
5) Tailgate (page 2-25)
6) Tie-down hooks (page 9-2)
7) Bulb replacement (page 11-61)
8) Licence plate bracket (page 2- 26)

3-11
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
is running, it may indicate that there is a problem or po-
tential problem somewhere in the emission controlsystem. TIf the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving or does not
go out after the engine starts, an emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer immediately.
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is
not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it clicks.
Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the
cap. Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. T 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, you should do the following: y
Reduce vehicle speed.
y Avoid hard acceleration.
y Avoid steep uphill grades.
y Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
y 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 alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately.

6-18
Interior and exterior equipments
y
Remove the bed extender for vehicle “Off
Road” use. y To avoid creating a dangerous road hazard or
causing personal injury, cargo must not stick
out beyond the bed extender.y To avoid damage, the tailgate and bed ex-
tender must remain in the closed/inward posi-
tion when towing with a trailer hitch.y To avoid damage, clean the bed extender
only with soap, water and a soft brush.
„ Operation Open/Outward Position
– To use the bed extender in
the open/outward position, simply lower your license
plate bracket (see section “License plate bracket” un-
der heading of “Tailgate” in Chapter 2), open your tail-
gate, and rotate the bed extender until it sits on the tail-gate.
After you have rotated the bed extender, lock the black
buckle pin into the tailgate latch by pushing downward
until you hear two clicks. Then tighten the tether
straps. Repeat this process for the other side. When
you want to return the tailgate and the bed extender to
the closed/inward position, pull on the tailgate release
handle to disengage the tethers.
UB8032AA
UB8033AA

8-1
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 ..................................... 8-6
Driving in foreign countries ......................... 8-6
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ...................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................. 8-9
Winter driving ................................................ 8-11 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-11
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-14
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-15
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-16
Loading your vehicle .................................... 8-16 Vehicle capacity weight ................................... 8-18
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-19
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................. 8-20 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-20
When you do not tow a trailer ......................... 8-24
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-24 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-24
Maximum load limits ........................................ 8-25
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-30
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-30
Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-33

8-8
Driving tips
y
An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper
roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two
wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in han-
dling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sud-
den braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or
turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and
maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. y When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the
same size, circumference, construction, brand, and
load range as the original tires listed on the tire plac-
ard. Using other sizes, circumferences or construction
may result 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. y 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. y Always check the cold tire pressure before starting
to drive. The recommended tire pressure is provided
on the tire placard, which is located under the door
latch on the driver’s side. y Tire chains should always be placed on the front
wheels only. y
There are some precautions that you must observe
when towing your vehicle. For detail information, see
“Towing” section in chapter 9.

8-20
Driving tips
Trailer hitch (if equipped)
y
Never exceed the maximum weight specified
for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum
weight could cause an accident resulting in se-
rious personal injuries. Permissible trailer
weight changes depending on the situation. Re-
fer to the next section “Trailer towing” for pos-
sible recommendations and limitations. y 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 cre-
ate a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates
from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch
ball damage. y Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin
for positive locking placement before towing a
trailer. If the ball mount comes off the hitch re-
ceiver, the trailer could get loose and create a
traffic safety hazard.y Use only the ball mount supplied with this
hitch. Use the hitch only as a weight carrying
hitch. Do not use with any type of weight dis-
tributing 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”. „ Connecting a trailer
UB8047BA

8-23
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
ground.
Do not connect safety chains to part of the ve-
hicle other than the safety chain hooks. Hitch harness connector
9. Connect the hitch wire harness’s black four-pin
wire connector to the towing trailer’s wire harness.
10.Confirm proper function of the hitch wire harness
by individually activating the brake, right turn signal,
left turn signal, stop, and parking lights on the trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire harness before
launching or retrieving a watercraft.
UG8034BA
HS8015BA

8-24
Driving tips
„
When you do not tow a trailer
Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver
tube when the tailgate is open and the bed ex-
tender is used. The rear license plate will not be
visible because the license plate bracket can
not be used at the lowered/open position when
the ball mount is connected.
In addition, the license plate bracket will hit the
hitch ball and may be damaged if the tailgate is
opened and the license plate bracket is at the
lowered/open position.
y Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube
and insert the receiver cover onto the hitch receiver tube.y Place the dust cap over the four-pin connector of the
hitch wire harness to protect against possible damage.y Occasionally lubricate terminals of the four-pin con-
nector using the terminal grease, and cover with the
attached rubber cap.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed and intended to be used pri-
marily to carry passengers and cargo. Towing a trailer
puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, driv-
etrain, brakes, tires and suspension and has an ad-
verse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety and satis-
faction depend upon proper use of correct equipment
and cautious operation of your vehicle. Seek the ad-
vice of your SUBARU dealer to assist you in purchas-
ing a hitch and other necessary towing equipment ap-
propriate for your vehicle. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions on correct installation and use provid-
ed by the trailer and other towing equipment manufac- turers.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for injuries or ve-
hicle damage that result from trailer towing equipment,
or from any errors or omissions in the instructions ac-
companying such equipment or for your failure to fol-
low the proper instructions. „ Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to vehicle damage
or malfunction caused by trailer towing. If you use your
vehicle to tow a trailer, more frequent maintenance will
be required due to the additional load. (Refer to “Main-

8-25
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
tenance schedule under severe driving conditions” in
the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer be towed with
a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new powertrain
component (engine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving. „Maximum load limits
Never exceed the maximum load limits ex-
plained below. Exceeding the maximum load
limits could cause personal injury and/or vehi-
cle damage.
yAdequate size trailer brakes are required
when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) total weight. y Before towing a trailer, check the trailer total
weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load. Make
sure the load and its distribution in your vehicle
and trailer are acceptable.
T Total trailer weight
Total trailer weight
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
load) must never exceed the maximum weight shown
in the following table.
HS8016AA