SUBARU FORESTER 2005 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled accord-
ing to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49, Part
575”.
Tire information „
Tire labeling
Many markings (e.g. Tire size, Tire Identification
Number or TIN) are placed on the sidewall of a
tire by tire manufacturers. These marking can
provide you with useful information on the tire. T Tire size
Your vehicle comes equipped with P-Metric tire
size. It is important to understand the sizing sys-
tem in selecting the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing system
with a breakdown of its individual elements. V P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section Width is mea-
sured in millimeters. To convert millimeters into
inches, divide by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Sec-
tion Height divided by Section Width) helps pro- vide more dimensional information about the tire
size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light duty vehi-
cles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
÷ section
width).
(4) R = Radial Construction
(5) Rim diameter in inches V Load and Speed Rating Descriptions
The load and speed rating descriptions will ap-
pear following the size designation.
They provide two important facts about the tire.
First, the number designation is its load index.
Second, the letter designation indicates the tire’s
speed rating.P 215 / 60 R 16
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

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Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical code which speci-
fies the maximum load a tire can carry at the
speed indicated by its speed symbol, at maxi-
mum inflation pressure.
For example, “94” means 1,477 lbs (670 kg).
Load indices apply only to the tire, not to
the vehicle. Putting a load rated tire on any
vehicle does not mean the vehicle can be
loaded up to the tire’s rated load.
(7) Speed Rating: An alphabetical system de-
scribing a tire’s capability to travel at established
and predetermined speeds.
For example, “H” means 130 mph (210 km/h)
y Speed ratings apply only to the tire, not
to the vehicle. Putting a speed rated tire on
any vehicle does not mean the vehicle can
be operated at the tire’s rated speed. y The speed rating is void if the tires are
worn out, damaged, repaired, retreaded, or
otherwise altered from their original condi-
tion. If tires are repaired, retreaded, or oth-
erwise altered, they may not be suitable for
original equipment tire designed loads and
speeds.
T Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire Identification Number (TIN) is marked on the
intended outboard sidewall. The TIN is com-
posed of four groups. Here is a brief review of the
TIN with a breakdown of its individual elements.
(1) Manufacturer’s Identification Mark
P 215 / 60 R 16 94 H Size designation (6) (7)
DOT XX XX XXX XXXX
(1) (2) (3)(4)

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(2) Tire Size
(3) Tire Type Code
(4) Date of Manufacture
The first two figures identify the week, starting
with “01” to represent the first full week of the cal-
endar year; the second two figures represent the
year. For example, 0101 means the 1st week of
2001. T
Other markings
The following makings are also placed on the
sidewall. V Maximum permissible inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which
this tire may be inflated. For example, “300 kpa
(44 PSI) MAX. PRESS” V Maximum load rating
The load rating at the maximum permissible
weight load for this tire. For example, “MAX.
LOAD 670 kg (1477 LBS) @ 300 kpa (44 PSI) MAX. PRESS.”
Maximum load rating applies only to the
tire, not to the vehicle. Putting a load rated
tire on any vehicle does not mean the vehi-
cle can be loaded up to the tire’s rated
load.
V Construction type
Applicable construction of this tire.
For example, “TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RA-
DIAL” V Construction
The generic name of each cord material used in
the plies (both sidewall and tread area) of this
tire.
For example, “PLIES: SIDEWALL POLYESTER
1 TREAD POLYESTER 1 + STEEL 2 + NYLON 1” V Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
For details, refer to “Uniform tire quality grading
standards” in this chapter.

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„Recommended tire inflation pressure
T Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle’s tires is as follows,
Tire sizeP215/60R16 94H
Wheel size16 × 6 1
/2 JJ
PressureFrontLight load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm 2
)
Full load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm 2
)
RearLight load28 psi (190 kPa, 1.9 kgf/cm 2
)
Full load36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)
Trailer towing41 psi (280 kPa, 2.8 kgf/cm 2
)

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T
Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver’s side door pillar. Example:
The vehicle placard shows original tire size, rec-
ommended cold tire inflation pressure on each
tire at maximum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information. T
Adverse safety consequences of under-in-
flation
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to flex severely
and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in
temperature could cause tread separation, and
failure of the tire(s). Possible resulting loss of ve-
USD508BAKL
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATIONSEATING CAPACITY : TOTAL 5
ORIGINAL TIRE SIZE
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COLD TIRE
INFLATION PRESSRE
COLD TIRE
INFLATION PRESSRE
FRONT
REAR200kPa,29PSI 190kPa,28PSIP215/60R16 P215/60R16
200kPa, 29PSI
SPARE TIRE
The combined weight of occupants andcargo should never exceed 408kg or 900lbs.
FRONT 2 : REAR 3
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hicle control could lead to an accident. TMeasuring and adjusting air pressure to
achieve proper inflation
Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of
each tire (including the spare) at least once a
month and before any long journey. Check the
tire pressures when the tires are cold. Use a
pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the
specific values. Driving even a short distance
warms up the tires and increases the tire pres-
sures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the
outside temperature. It is best to check tire pres-
sure outdoors before driving the vehicle. When a
tire becomes warm, the air inside it expands,
causing the tire pressure to increase. Be careful
not to mistakenly release air from a warm tire to
reduce its pressure. „ Glossary of tire terminology
y Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been driven less
than 1 mile or has been standing for three hours
or more. y Maximum inflation pressure The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a
tire may be inflated. y
Recommended inflation pressure
The cold inflation pressure recommended by a
vehicle manufacturer. y Intended outboard sidewall
1)The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on the other
sidewall of the tire, or
2)The outward facing sidewall of an asymmet-
rical tire that has a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mounting on a vehi- cle.
y Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of floor mats,
leather seats and cross bars to the extent that
these items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not). y Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity of fu-
el, oil, and coolant and air conditioning.

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y
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehi-
cle capacity weight and production optionsweight. y Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of occupants (3 occupants). y Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle, 2 in front,
1 in rear seat. y Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed regular
production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
in excess of those standards items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight. y Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage and occu-
pants that can be added to the vehicle. y Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its share of the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two. y Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by 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

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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-
pacity can be calculated by the following method. Cargo capacity = Load limit – (total weight of oc-
cupants + total weight of optional equipment +
tongue load of a trailer (if applicable))
For towing capacity information and weight lim-
its, refer to “Trailer towing” in Chapter 8. T
Calculating total and load capacities vary-
ing seating configurations
Calculate the available load capacity as shown in
the following examples:
Example 1A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle is 900 lbs
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(408 kg), which is indicated on the vehicle plac-
ard with the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 900
lbs or 408 kg”.
For example, if the vehicle has one occupant
weighing 154 lbs (70 kg) plus cargo weighing
662 lbs (300 kg).
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capacity by sub-
tracting the total weight from the vehicle capacity
weight of 900 lbs (408 kg).
3. The result of step 2 shows that a further 84 lbs
(38 kg) of cargo can be carried.
Example 1B
For example, if a person weighing 176 lbs (80
kg) now enters the same vehicle (bringing the
Total weight = 154 lbs (70 kg) + 662 lbs (300 kg) =
816 lbs (370 kg)(Occupant) (Cargo)
Available Load Capacity = 900 lbs (408 kg) – 816 lbs (370 kg) =
84 lbs (38 kg) (Vehicle
capacity weight) (Total weight)
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number of occupants to two), the calculations
are as follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capacity.
3. The total weight now exceeds the capacity
weight by 92 lbs (42 kg), so the cargo weight
must be reduced by 92 lbs (42 kg) or more. Example 2A
Vehicle capacity weight of the vehicle is 900 lbs
(408 kg), which is indicated on the vehicle plac-
ard with the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 408
kg or 900 lbs”.
For example, the vehicle has one occupant
weighing 165 lbs (75 kg) plus cargo weighing
375 lbs (170 kg). In addition, the vehicle is fitted
with a trailer hitch weighing 22 lbs (10 kg), to
which is attached a trailer weighing 1,764 lbs
(800 kg). 10% of the trailer weight is applied to
Total weight = 154 lbs (70 kg) + 176 lbs (80 kg) + 662 lbs (300 kg) =
992 lbs (450 kg) (Occupant)
(Cargo)
Available Load Capacity
= 900 lbs (408 kg) – 992 lbs (450 kg) = –92 lbs (–42 kg) (Vehicle
capacity weight) (Total weight)
USD505BA