eco SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

13
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Tire information .................................................. 13-2Tire labeling ............................................................. 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure .................. 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology .................................. 13-6
Tire care – maintenance and safety practices ..... 13-7
Vehicle load limit – how to determine ................... 13-8
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load capacities ...................................................... 13-10
Adverse safety consequences of overloading on handling and stopping and on tires .............. 13-11
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ........... 13-11
Uniform tire quality grading standards ............ 13-12 Treadwear ................................................................ 13-12
Traction AA, A, B, C ................................................ 13-12
Temperature A, B, C ............................................... 13-12
Reporting safety defects (USA) ......................... 13-13

13-2 Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Co nsumer informa tion and Repo rting s afe ty defec tsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been com-
piled according to Code of Federal Regu-
lations “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 un-
derstand the sizing system in select-
ing the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing
system with a breakdown of its indi-
vidual elements. V P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section
Width is measured in millimeters. To
convert millimeters into inches, divide
by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Section
Height divided by Section Width)
helps provide more dimensional infor-
mation about the tire size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light
duty vehicles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
y
section width).
(4) R = Radial Construction
(5) Rim diameter in inches
V Load and Speed Rating Descrip- tions
The load and speed rating descrip-
tions will appear following the size
designation.
They provide two important facts
about the tire. First, the number des-
ignation is its load index. Second, the
letter designation indicates the tire’s
speed rating.
Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical code
P 215 / 60 R 16
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
P 215 / 60 R 16 94 H
Size designation (6) (7)

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-3
– CONTINUED –
which specifies the maximum load a
tire can carry at the speed indicated
by its speed symbol, at maximum in-
flation pressure.
For example, “94” means 1,477 lbs
(670 kg).
(7) Speed Rating: An alphabetical
system describing a tire’s capability to
travel at established and predeter-
mined speeds.
For example, “H” means 130 mph
(210 km/h)
T
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire Identification Number (TIN) is
marked on the intended outboard
sidewall. The TIN is composed of four
groups. Here is a brief review of the
TIN with a breakdown of its individual
elements. (1) Manufacturer’s Identification
Mark
(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 calendar 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 per-
missible weight load for this tire. For
example, “MAX. LOAD 670 kg (1477
LBS) @ 300 kpa (44 PSI) MAX.
PRESS.”
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.
y Speed ratings apply only to
the tire, not to the vehicle. Put-
ting a speed rated tire on any
vehicle does not mean the ve-
hicle can be operated at the
tire’s rated speed.
yThe speed rating is void if the
tires are worn out, damaged,
repaired, retreaded, or other-
wise altered from their original
condition. If tires are repaired,
retreaded, or otherwise al-
tered, they may not be suitable
for original equipment tire de-
signed loads and speeds.
DOT XX XX XXX XXXX
(1) (2) (3)(4)

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-5
–
CONTINUED –
„ 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 94HP215/55R17 93H
Wheel size16 u 6 1
/2 JJ or 16
u 6 1
/2 J17
u 7 JJ
PressureFrontLight load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm 2
)32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm 2
)
Full load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm 2
)32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm 2
)
RearLight load28 psi (190 kPa, 1.9 kgf/cm 2
)30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm 2
)
Full load36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm 2
)
Trailer towing41 psi (280 kPa, 2.8 kgf/cm 2
)36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)
Temporary spare tireSizeT135/80D16
Pressure60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm 2
)

13-6 Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
TVehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the
driver’s side door pillar.
Example: The vehicle placard shows original
tire size, recommended cold tire infla-
tion pressure on each tire at maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information.
T Adverse safety consequences
of under-inflation
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to flex severely and to rapidly
become hot. A sharp increase in tem-
perature could cause tread separa-
tion, and failure of the tire(s). Possible
resulting loss of vehicle control could
lead to an accident. T Measuring and adjusting air
pressure to achieve proper infla- tion
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and be-
fore 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
pressures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the outside tempera-
ture. It is best to check tire pressure
outdoors before driving the vehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air in-
side it expands, causing the tire pres-
sure 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 pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended 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
800221
D00115

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-7
– CONTINUED –
asymmetrical tire that has a particu-
lar side that must always face out-
ward when mounting on a vehicle.
y Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather seats
and cross bars to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed
or not). y Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning. y Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and
production options weight. 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 in-
stalled regular production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in ex-
cess of those standards items which
they replace, not previously consid-
ered in curb weight or accessory
weight.
y Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. y Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two. y Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined 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 becomes
visible, the tire is worn beyond the ac-
ceptable limit and must be replaced
immediately. With a tire in this condi-
tion, driving at even low speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hy-
droplane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to an acci-
dent.
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 ve-
hicle 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.) Re-
place any damaged or unevenly worn
tire at the time of rotation. After tire ro-
tation, adjust the tire pressures and
make sure the wheel nuts are correct-
ly tightened. A tightening torque spec-
ification and a tightening sequence
specification for the wheel nuts can be
found “Flat tires” in Chapter 9.

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 call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-
9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to: Administrator, NHTSA, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington,DC 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor ve-
hicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
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.

14-4 Index
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 ............................................................................. 11-41
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 .................................................. 1-6
Headlight Beam leveler ................................................................ 3-20
Flasher ........................................................................ 3-18
Headlights ........................................................................ 3-17
Heater operation ................................................................ 4-5
High beam indicator light .................................................. 3-15
Hill holder .............................................................. 7-21, 11-28
Horn ................................................................................. 3-29 I
Ignition switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Illuminated entry ................................................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control .......................................... 3-19
Immobilizer indicator light ................................................... 2-3
Indicator light ...................................................................... 3-9
Inside mirror ...................................................................... 3-25
Interior lights ....................................................................... 6-2 J
Jack and jack handle ........................................................ 9-14
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 ........................................................... 3-17
Limited slip differential (LSD) ............................................ 7-15
Loading your vehicle ......................................................... 8-11
Low fuel warning light ....................................................... 3-14
Lower and tether anchorages ........................................... 1-32
LSD (Limited slip differential) ............................................ 7-15
Lumbar support (Drivers seat only) .................................... 1-5