trailer SUBARU BAJA 2006 1.G Owners Manual

2-31
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
To use the license plate br acket at its lowered/open position, push the two re
lease buttons and pull the li-
cense plate bracket up until it clicks. And then open
the tailgate.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer hitch, remove
the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube before
opening the tailgate. Failure to follow this procedure
could result in damage to the license plate bracket.
When you drive with the tail gate closed, the license
plate bracket must be restored to its original position.
To restore the license plate bracket to its original posi-
tion, close the tailgate, and then pull the license plate
bracket down until it clicks.
If it is difficult to restore the license plate bracket to its
original position, it may be due to the accumulation of
dirt or other debris on the back side of the bracket.
Clean the back of the licens e plate bracket before pull-
ing it down.
In order to avoid damaging the license plate
bracket or the bumper, the license plate bracket
must be restored to its original position until it
clicks.
UBB096BA
UB2053BA

3-13
Instruments and controls
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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
„Charge warning light
„ Warning lights
„ ChargeIf this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the char ging 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. „
Oil pressure warning light
„
Oil pressure warning light
„ Warning lights
„ Oil pressure
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine 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 properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop t he engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the engine oil level. If the oil lev-
el is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at the
proper level but the light remains on, contact your
nearest SUBARU dealer immediately. „ AT OIL TEMPerature warning
light (AT vehicles)
„AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
„ Automatic transmission
„ Temperature warning light
„ warning light s
„ AT OIL TEMPeratureThe AT oil temperature warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is tur ned to the “ON” position and
goes out after approximately two seconds.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature is too hot.

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 countrie s ......................... 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 ........................................ 8-15
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-15
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-16
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-16
Loading your vehicle .................................... 8-17 Vehicle capacity weight ................................... 8-19
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-19
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................. 8-20 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-21
When you do not tow a trailer ......................... 8-24
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-25 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-25
Maximum load limits ........................................ 8-25
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-30
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-31
Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-33

8-19
Driving tips
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„Vehicle capacity weight The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by
weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum
load you can carry in your
vehicle is shown on the ve-
hicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar. It
includes the total weight of the driver and all passen-
gers and their belongings, any optional equipment
such as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc.,
and the tongue load of a trailer. „ GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The certification label atta ched to the driver’s side
UB8031BA
UB8053BA
UB8043BA

8-20
Driving tips
door shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).
The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never exceed
the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of weight of the
vehicle, fuel, driver, all
passengers, luggage, any op-
tional equipment and trailer tongue load. Therefore,
the GVW changes depending on the situation.
In addition, the total weight applied to each axle
(GAW) must never exceed the GAWR. The front and
rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating luggage in- side the vehicle.
Even if the total weight of your luggage is lower than
the vehicle capacity weight, either front or rear GAW
may exceed the GAWR, depending on the distribution
of the luggage.
When possible, the load should be evenly distributed
throughout the vehicle.
If you carry heavy loads in the vehicle, you should con-
firm that GVW and front and rear GAWs are within the
GVWR and GAWR by putting your vehicle on a vehi-
cle scale, found at a commercial weighing station.
Do not use replacement tires with a lower load range
than the originals because they may lower the GVWR
and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a high-
er load range than the originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations.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 moun t 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-

8-21
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
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
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. Close the tailgate and return the
license plate bracket to its normal position
flush against the tailgate itself whenever you
tow a trailer or whenever a trailer is hitched to
the vehicle.
1. Before connecting the ball mount to the hitch re-
ceiver, close the tailgate and return the license plate
bracket to its normal retracted position up against the
tailgate. Refer to “License plate bracket” under the
heading “Tailgate” in chapter 2 for more information on
the function of the license plate bracket.
2. Remove the receiver cover from the hitch receiver
tube. Then insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver
tube.
UB8047BA

8-23
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
1) Hitch ball installation point
2) Hooks for safety chains
6. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate for the ball
mount and your trailer. The hitch ball must be securely
installed on the ball mount.
7. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
8. Connect the trailer and the hitch with safety chains
that will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. The
chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent
the tongue from dropping onto the ground in case it
should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient
slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations into ac-
count; however, be careful not to let them drag on the ground.
Do not connect sa
fety chains to part of the ve-
hicle other than the safety chain hooks.
1 2UB8020BBUG8034BA

8-24
Driving tips
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. „
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 da maged 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.
HS8015BA

8-25
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
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 yo ur 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 responsibi lity 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- 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, transmis
sion, 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 in the following. Exceeding the maxi-
mum load limits could cause personal injury
and/or vehicle 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 tr ailer, check the trailer total
weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load. Make
sure the load and its dist ribution in your vehicle