SUBARU FORESTER 2006 Owners Manual

13-10
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 162 lbs (73 kg) of cargo can be
carried.
Example 2B
For example, if a person weighing 143
lbs (65 kg) and a child weighing 40 lbs
(18 kg) now enter the same vehicle
(bringing the number of occupants to
three), and a child restraint system
weighing 11 lbs (5 kg) is installed inthe vehicle for the child to use, the cal-
culations are as follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capac-
ity.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 32 lbs (15 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
32 lbs (15 kg) or more.
„
Determining compatibility of
tire and vehicle load capaci-
tiesThe sum of four tires’ maximum load
ratings must exceed the maximum
loaded vehicle weight (“GVWR”). In
addition, sum of the maximum load
ratings of two front tires and of two
rear tires must exceed each axle’s
maximum loaded capacity (“GAWR”).
Original equipment tires are designed
to fulfill those conditions.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight
is referred to Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). And each axle’s
maximum loaded capacity is referred
to Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GVWR and each axle’s
GAWR are shown on the vehicle cer-
tification label affixed to the driver’s
door.
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehicle’s
D00109
Total weight
= 165 lbs (75 kg) + 143 lbs (65 kg)
+ 40 lbs (18 kg)
+ 11 lbs (5 kg) + 375 lbs (170 kg)
+ 22 lbs (10 kg) + 176 lbs (80 kg)
= 932 lbs (423 kg) (Occupant)
(Cargo)
(Trailer hitch)
(Child restraint)
(Tongue load)
(Occupant)
ProCarManuals.com

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-11
suspension, axles and other parts of
the body.
Therefore, this means that the vehicle
cannot necessarily be loaded up to
the tire’s maximum load rating on the
tire sidewall.„Adverse safety consequenc-
es of overloading on handling
and stopping and on tiresOverloading could affect vehicle han-
dling, stopping distance, vehicle and
tire as shown in the following. This
could lead to an accident and possibly
result in severe personal injury.yVehicle stability will deteriorate.yHeavy and/or high-mounted loads
could increase the risk of rollover.yStopping distance will increase.yBrakes could overheat and fail.ySuspension, bearings, axles and
other parts of the body could break or
experience accelerated wear that will
shorten vehicle life.yTires could fail.yTread separation could occur.yTire could separate from its rim.
„ Steps for Determining Cor-
rect Load Limit1. Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs
(635kg). and there will be five- 150 lbs
(68 kg) passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 – 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safe-
ly exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in Step
4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trail-
er, load from your trailer will be trans- ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduc-
es the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

13-12
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Uniform tire quality grading standardsThis information indicates the relative
performance of passenger car tires in
the area of treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. This is to aid
the consumer in making an informed
choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new pneu-
matic tires for use on passenger cars.
However, they do not apply to deep
tread, winter type snow tires, space-
saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 12
inches or less, or to some limited pro-
duction tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
„TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the ac-
tual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving hab-
its, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.„Traction AA, A, B, CThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
„Temperature A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corre-
sponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of per-
formance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accelera-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
ProCarManuals.com

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-13
Reporting safety defects (USA)If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety de-
fect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA can-
not become involved in individual
problems between you, your deal-
er, or Subaru of America, Inc. To
contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-
free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-
0123 in the Washington D.C. area)
or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation, Washing-
ton, D.C. 20590. You can also ob-tain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
ProCarManuals.com

ProCarManuals.com

Index
14
ProCarManuals.com

14-2
Index
A
ABS .................................................................................. 7-16Warning light ....................................................... 3-12, 7-17
Accessory power outlets .................................................... 6-8
Active head restraint ........................................................... 1-6
Air cleaner element ........................................................ 11-15
Air filtration system ........................................................... 4-12
Alarm system .................................................................... 2-12
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ..................... 3-15
Aluminum wheel ............................................................. 11-34
Aluminum wheel cleaning ................................................. 10-3
Antenna system ................................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake system warning light (ABS) ............ 3-12, 7-16
Arming the system ............................................................ 2-13
Armrest ........................................................................ 1-9, 6-4
Ashtray .................................................................... 6-11, 10-5
Audio set ............................................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ......................................... 3-27
Automatic climate control system ....................................... 4-8
Automatic transmission .................................................... 7-10
Capacities .................................................................... 12-4
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-19
Selector lever ............................................................... 7-11
Shift lock release ......................................................... 7-14
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ......................... 3-12
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-11
B
Battery ............................................................................ 11-39 Jump starting ................................................................. 9-7
Replacing (remote keyless entry) .................................. 2-8 Brake
Booster ...................................................................... 11-26
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-24
Pad and lining ............................................................ 11-28
Parking ....................................................................... 11-29
Pedal ..................................................................\
........ 11-26
System ......................................................................... 7-15
Warning light ................................................................ 3-14
Brake pedal .................................................................... 11-26 Free play .................................................................... 11-26
Reserve distance ....................................................... 11-27
Braking ............................................................................. 7-15
Braking tips ....................................................................... 7-15
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..................... 11-28
Bulb Chart ............................................................................ 12-9
Replacing ................................................................... 11-43
C
Capacities .............................................................\
............ 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ......................................... 6-12
Cargo area light .................................................................. 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................................................... 6-14
Center console ................................................................... 6-4
Charge warning light ......................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................................ 3-11
Child restraint systems ..................................................... 1-24 Installation with seatbelt ............................................... 1-27
Top tether anchorages ................................................. 1-34
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Child safety locks .............................................................. 2-17
ProCarManuals.com

Index
14-3
ChimeKey ................................................................................ 3-5
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-12, 3-9
Cigarette lighter socket ....................................................... 6-9
Clock ................................................................................ 3-17
Clutch (MT) Fluid ........................................................................... 11-25
Pedal ..................................................................\
....... 11-27
Coat hook ......................................................................... 6-12
Convenience net ................................................................ 6-6
Coolant ........................................................................... 11-12
Cooling system ............................................................... 11-11
Corrosion protection ................................................ 8-10, 10-3
Cruise control ................................................................... 7-26
Cruise control indicator light ............................................. 3-16
Cup holders ........................................................................ 6-7
D
Dashboard storage compartment ....................................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ........................................... 3-19
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) .................................................... 11-21
Rear ........................................................................... 11-22
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-14
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................... 7-16
Dome light .......................................................................... 6-2
Door locks ........................................................................\
.. 2-4
Door open warning light ................................................... 3-15
Drive belt ........................................................................ 11-17
Driving Car phone/cell phone ....................................................... 7 Drinking ............................................................................. 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 6
Foreign countries ........................................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ...................................................... 8-9
Tired or sleepy .................................................................. 7
Driving tips ................................................................. 7-10, 8-5
E
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........... 7-18
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-11
Engine
Compartment overview ................................................ 11-6
Coolant ....................................................................... 11-12
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................... 8-2
Hood ...................................................................\
......... 11-4
Oil ................................................................................. 11-8
Overheating ................................................................. 9-10
Starting ........................................................................... 7-7
Stopping ...............................................................\
.......... 7-8
Exterior care ..................................................................... 10-2
F
Flat tires .............................................................................. 9-3
Floor mat ........................................................................... 6-11
Fluid level
Automatic transmission .............................................. 11-19
Brake .......................................................................... 11-24
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................................. 11-25
Power steering ........................................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ........................... 11-21
ProCarManuals.com

14-4
Index
Front fog light button ........................................................ 3-21
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................................. 1-20
Front seats ......................................................................... 1-2Fore and aft adjustment .......................................... 1-3, 1-4
Reclining ................................................................. 1-3, 1-5
Fuel .................................................................................... 7-2 Economy hints ............................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ............................................................ 7-3
Requirements ................................................................ 7-2
Fuses ............................................................................. 11-40
Fuses and circuits ............................................................ 12-6
G
GAWR .............................................................................. 8-12
Glove box ........................................................................... 6-4
Gross Axle Weight Rating ................................................ 8-12
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ........................................... 8-12
GVWR .............................................................................. 8-12
H
Hazard warning flasher ...................................................... 3-6
Head restraint adjustment .................................................. 1-5
Headlight
Beam leveler ................................................................ 3-21
Flasher ........................................................................ 3-19
Headlights .............................................................\
........... 3-18
Heater operation ................................................................ 4-5
High beam indicator light .................................................. 3-16
Hill holder .............................................................. 7-25, 11-28
Horn ................................................................................. 3-30 I
Ignition switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Illuminated entry ................................................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control .......................................... 3-20
Immobilizer indicator light ................................................... 2-3
Indicator light ...................................................................... 3-9
Inside mirror ...................................................................... 3-26
Interior lights ....................................................................... 6-2
J
Jack and jack handle ........................................................ 9-15
Jump starting ...................................................................... 9-7
K
Key
Number .......................................................................... 2-2
Reminder chime ............................................................. 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles) .................................... 3-5
Keys .................................................................................... 2-2
L
Leather seat materials ...................................................... 10-5
Light control switch ........................................................... 3-18
Limited slip differential (LSD) ............................................ 7-14
Loading your vehicle ......................................................... 8-11
Low fuel warning light ....................................................... 3-15
Lower and tether anchorages ........................................... 1-31
LSD (Limited slip differential) ............................................ 7-14
Lumbar support (Drivers seat only) .................................... 1-5
ProCarManuals.com

Index
14-5
M
Main fuse ........................................................................ 11-41
MaintenancePrecautions .................................................................. 11-3
Schedule ...................................................................... 11-3
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 1-19
Tools ............................................................................ 9-14
Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................ 3-11
Manual Climate control system .................................................. 4-3
Seat ............................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ................................................................. 7-9
Transmission oil ......................................................... 11-18
Map lights ........................................................................... 6-3
Maximum load limits ......................................................... 8-18
Meters and gauges ............................................................. 3-6
Mirrors .............................................................................. 3-26
Moonroof ................................................................. 2-21, 9-14
N
New vehicle break-in driving ............................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter .......................................................... 3-6
Off road driving ................................................................... 8-6
Oil filter ............................................................................. 11-8
Oil level
Engine ......................................................................... 11-8
Manual transmission .................................................. 11-18
Rear differential ......................................................... 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ................................................. 3-12 Outside mirrors ................................................................. 3-28
Outside temperature indicator ............................................ 3-8
Overhead console ............................................................... 6-6
P
Parking brake ......................................................... 7-24, 11-29
Stroke ......................................................................... 11-29
Parking light switch ........................................................... 3-21
Parking your vehicle ......................................................... 7-24
Periodic inspections ............................................................ 8-4
Power Door locking switches .................................................... 2-6
Seat ................................................................................ 1-4
Steering ........................................................................ 7-15
Steering fluid level ...................................................... 11-23
Windows ...................................................................... 2-18
R
Rear Combination lights ..................................................... 11-46
Differential gear oil level ............................................. 11-22
Gate .................................................................... 2-20, 9-13
Seats .............................................................................. 1-7
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........................... 7-14
Rear window Defogger button ........................................................... 3-25
Wiper and washer switch ............................................. 3-24
Wiper blade ................................................................ 11-37
Remote keyless entry system ............................................. 2-6
Replacing Air cleaner element .................................................... 11-15
ProCarManuals.com