tires SUBARU BRZ 2018 User Guide

278 2-5. Driving information
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior lights, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes
before getting in the vehicle.
● If a door is opened and closed when its side window is frozen,
the window safety device will operate and the side window
open/close function linked to door operation may not operate
correctly. If this occurs, perform the following after the ice has
melted.
Open the side window until it is approximately halfway open
with the door closed.
Fully close the window by pulling the switch up to the one-
touch closing position and continue holding the switch for 1
second or more after the window fully closes.
The window position is reset and the safety device operations will
be released.
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle (in the winter time or in the cold
latitudes)
Park the vehicle and move the select lever to P (automatic trans-
mission) or shift lever to 1 or R (manual transmission) without
setting the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, pre-
venting it from being released. If necessary, block the wheels to
prevent inadvertent sliding or creeping.
STEP 1
STEP 2

279
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Tire chains
Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of
clearance between the tires and vehicle body.
When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction
device (such as spring chains) may be acceptable if use on your vehi-
cle is recommended by the device manufacturer, taking into account
tire size and road conditions.
Follow the device manufacturer's instructions, especially regarding
maximum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or
remove the device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do not spin your
wheels. Damage caused to your vehicle by use of a traction device is
not covered under warranty.
Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class “S”
device, and use it on the rear wheels only.
Always use the utmost care when driving with a traction device. Over-
confidence because you are using a traction device could easily lead
to a serious accident.
Selecting tire chainsWe recommend that you consult your SUBARU dealer for information
about the chains that you can use.

280 2-5. Driving information
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■Refueling in cold weather
To help prevent moisture from forming in the fuel system and the risk of its
freezing, use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel tank is recommended dur-
ing cold weather.
Use only additives that are specifically designed for this purpose. When an
antifreeze additive is used, its effect lasts longer if the tank is refilled when-
ever the fuel level reaches half empty.
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size, and that are the same for the following
items:
•Size
• Circumference
• Speed symbol
• Load index
• Construction
• Manufacturer
• Brand (tread pattern)
• Degrees of wear
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.

281
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■Repairing or replacing snow tires (vehicles with a tire pressure moni-
toring system)
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from SUBARU dealers or
legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the
operation of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains (vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system)
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function cor-
rectly when tire chains are fitted.

Maintenance and care4
335
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior......... 336
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.......... 342
Cleaning and protecting the Alcantara
® area ....... 346
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 348
General maintenance....... 351
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 354 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 355
Engine hood ..................... 358
Engine compartment ........ 360
Tires ................................. 374
Tire inflation pressure ...... 382
Wheels ............................. 386
Air conditioning filter......... 389
Transmitter/ access key battery ......... 392
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 397
Light bulbs........................ 405

353
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Door/trunk lid • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after park-
ing?
Ti re • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
Windshield wipers
•The wiper blades should not show
any signs of cracking, splitting,
wear, contamination or deforma-
tion.
•The wiper blades should clear the
windshield without streaking or
skipping.
WARNING
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

374
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and pressure if not rotated.
■Tire rotation
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, SUBARU rec-
ommends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
Front

375
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles
with a tire pressure monitoring system)
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes
must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer and tire
pressure monitoring system must be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by your SUBARU
dealer. ( →P. 376)
Vehicles with a spare tire of the same wheel type as the
installed tires
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, SUBARU rec-
ommends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
■The tire pressure monitoring system (if equipped)
Your SUBARU is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem that uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to
detect low tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise.
(→ P. 432)
Front

376 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Registering ID codes (vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring
system)
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by your SUBARU dealer.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your SUBARU dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pressure monitoring system will not work properly.
After driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light comes
on after blinking for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if they have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■Low profile tires
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip perfor-
mance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or
icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather
conditions.

377
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
1Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3 Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 277)
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. (
→P. 509)