wheel torque SUBARU BAJA 2005 1.G Owners Manual

9-16
In case of emergency
9. Use the wheel nut wrench to securely tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque, following the tight-
ening order in the illustration. The torque for tightening
the nuts is 74 to 89 lbf·ft (100 to 120 N·m, 10 to 12
kgf·m). This torque is equivalent to applying about 88
to 110 lbs (40 to 50 kg) at the top of the wheel nut
wrench provided to your vehicle. Never use your foot
on the wheel nut wrench or a pipe extension on the
wrench because you may exceed the specified torque.
Have the wheel nut torque checked at the nearest au-
tomotive service facility. T
Storage of the flat tire
ySecure the flat tire in the cargo bed (with the
outer side of the wheel facing up) by using the
designated tire holding rod and retainer. If the
flat tire is not properly secured, it may fall out
and create a dangerous road hazard that could
lead to a serious accident. y Do not store the flat tire under the floor. Do-
ing so could damage the underside of the vehi-
cle.
1. Take the tire holding rod and retainer out of the tool bag.
2. Remove the rubber cap from the cargo bed. Store
the rubber cap in a safe place. Pay attention not to
lose the rubber cap after removal.
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11 - 5 2
Maintenance and service
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety. y
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque.y Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel.y Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. y Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel.y When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.Windshield washer fluid
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid be-
cause it could cause paint damage.
Check the level of the washer fluid at each fuel stop. If
the level is low, fill the fluid up to the neck of the reser- voir.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer fluid
is unavailable use clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-
UBB004IA

13-8
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
distributing to each axle its share of the curb
weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant
weight and dividing by two. „
Tire care – maintenance and safety
practices
y 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. y Inspect the tire tread regularly and replace the
tires before their tread wear indicators become
visible. When a tire’s tread wear indicator be-
comes visible, the tire is worn beyond the ac-
ceptable limit and must be replaced immediately.
With a tire in this condition, 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. y To maximize the life of each tire and ensure
that the tires wear uniformly, it is best to rotate
the tires every 7,500 miles (12,500 km). Rotating
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 pres-
sures and make sure the wheel nuts are correct-
ly tightened. A tightening torque specification
and a tightening sequence specification for the
wheel nuts can be found “Flat tires” in Chapter 9. „
Vehicle load limit – how to determine
The load capacity of your vehicle is determined
by weight, not by available cargo space. The
load limit of your vehicle is shown on the vehicle
placard attached to the driver’s side B-pillar. Lo-
cate the statement “The combined weight of oc-
cupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
The vehicle placard also shows seating capacity
of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the total weight
of driver and all passengers and their belong-
ings, 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 ca-