tires SUBARU OUTBACK 2004 4.G Owner's Guide

11 - 4 6
2Maintenance and service
y
Abnormally low tire pressure (tread worn at
shoulders)
Rolling resistance is high, so fuel consumption is also
higher. y
Abnormally high tire pressure (tread worn in cen-
ter)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire magnifies the ef-
fects of road-surface bumps and dips, possibly result-
ing in vehicle damage.
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to deform severe-
ly and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase
in temperature could cause tread separation,
and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss
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2Maintenance and service
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of vehicle control could lead to an accident.
„ Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when your vehicle
was new, but the wheels will become unbalanced as
the tires become worn during use. Wheel imbalance
causes the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at certain
vehicle speeds and detracts from the vehicle’s
straight-line stability. It can also cause steering and
suspension system problems and abnormal tire wear.
If you suspect that the wheels are not correctly bal-
anced, have them checked and adjusted by your
SUBARU dealer. Also have them adjusted after tire re-
pairs and after tire rotation.
NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment* causes the tires
to wear on one side and reduces the vehicle’s run-
ning stability. Contact your SUBARU dealer if you
notice abnormal tire wear.
*: The suspension system is designed to hold each wheel at
a certain alignment (relative to the other wheels and to the
road) for optimum straight-line stability and cornering perfor-
mance. „
Wear indicators
A) New tread
B) Worn tread
1) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear indicator, which
becomes visible when the depth of the tread grooves
decreases to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be re-
placed when the tread wear indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
When a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes vis-
A 1B
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2Maintenance and service
ible, the tire is worn beyond the acceptable limit
and must be replaced immediately. With a tire
in this condition, driving at high speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hydroplane.
The resulting loss of vehicle control can lead to
an accident.
NOTE
For safety, inspect the tire tread regularly and re-
place the tires before their tread wear indicators
become visible. „
Tire rotation Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel. To maximize the
life of each tire and ensure that the tires wear uniform-
ly, 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
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 correctly
tightened.
After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km),
check the wheel nuts again and retighten any nut that
has become loose. „
Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important and integral parts
of your vehicle’s design; they cannot be changed arbi-
trarily. The tires fitted as standard equipment are opti-
mally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and
were selected to give the best possible combination of
running performance, ride comfort, and service life. It
is essential for every tire to have a size and construc-
tion matching those shown on the tire placard and to
have a speed symbol and load index matching those
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2Maintenance and service
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shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from con-
trollability, ride comfort, braking performance, speed-
ometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also cre-
ates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappropri-
ately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufactur-
er, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You
are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends re-
placing all four tires at the same time.
yAll four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construc-
tion, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index
and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or
degrees of wear can result in damage to the ve-
hicle’s power train. Use of different types or siz-
es of tires can also dangerously reduce control-
lability and braking performance and can lead
to an accident. y Use only radial tires. Do not use radial tires
together with belted bias tires and/or bias-ply tires. Doing so can dangerously reduce control-
lability, resulting in an accident.
„ Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example, to damage,
make sure the replacement wheels match the specifi-
cations of the wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available from
SUBARU dealers.
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.

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12
Specifications
Specifications ................................................ 12-2 Dimensions ....................................................... 12-2
Engine ................................................................ 12-3
Electrical system .............................................. 12-3
Capacities .......................................................... 12-4
Tires ................................................................... 12-5
Wheel alignment ............................................... 12-5
Fuses and circuits ........................................ 12-6 Fuse panel located behind the coin tray ........ 12-6
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment .................................................. 12-9
Bulb chart ...................................................... 12-12
Vehicle identification .................................... 12-13

12-5
Specifications
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„Tires
„ Wheel alignment
Tire sizeP205/60R15 90HP205/55R16 89HP225/60R16 97H
Wheel size15 x 6JJ16 x 6 1
/2 JJ
PressureFront32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kg/cm 2
)30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kg/cm 2
)
Rear30 psi (210 kPa, 2.1 kg/cm 2
)29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kg/cm 2
)
Rear at trailer
towing–32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kg/cm 2
)
Temporary
spare tireSizeT135/70R16T145/80R16
Pressure60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kg/cm 2
)
ItemLegacyOUTBACK
SedanWagonSedanWagon
ToeFront0 in (0 mm)
Rear0 in (0 mm)
CamberFront–0 °05’0 °20’
Rear–0 °30’–0 °20’–0 °10’

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13
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsTire information ............................................. 13-2Tire labeling ....................................................... 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure ............ 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology ............................ 13-7
Tire care – maintenance and safety practices ......................................................... 13-8
Vehicle load limit – how to determine ............. 13-9
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle
load capacities ............................................... 13-13
Adverse safety consequences of overloading
on handling and stopping and on tires ........ 13-14
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ..... 13-14
Uniform tire quality grading standards ....... 13-15 Treadwear .......................................................... 13-15
Traction AA, A, B, C .......................................... 13-15
Temperature A, B, C ......................................... 13-16
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................... 13-17

13-3
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical code which specifies
the maximum load a tire can carry at the speed
indicated by its speed symbol, at maximum infla-
tion pressure.
For example, “97” means 1,609 lbs (730 kg), “90”
means 1,323 lbs (600 kg), “89” means 1,278 lbs (580 kg)
Load indices apply only to the tire, not to
the vehicle. Putting a load rated tire on any
car does not mean the car 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 car does not mean the car can be op-
erated 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 225 / 60 R 16 97 H Size designation (6) (7)
DOT XX XX XXX XXXX
(1) (2) (3)(4)

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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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 size P205/60R15 90H P205/55R16 89H P225/60R16 97H
Wheel size 15 x 6JJ 16 x 6 1/2JJ
Pressure Front 32 psi (220 kpa, 2.2 kg/cm 2
)3 0 p si
(210 kpa, 2.1 kg/cm 2
)
Rear 30psi (210 kpa, 2.1 kg/cm 2
)2 9 p si
(200 kpa, 2.0 kg/cm 2
)
Rear at trailer
towing –3
2 p si
(220 kpa, 2.2 kg/cm 2
)
Temporary
spare tire Size T135/70R16 T145/80R16
Pressure 60 psi (420 kpa, 4.2 kg/cm
2
)

13-6
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
T
Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver’s side B-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-
UB8052BA
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
SEATING CAPACITY
ORIGINAL TIRE SIZE
COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
FRONT REAR 210 kPa,30 PSI 200 kPa,29 PSI
420 kPa,60 PSI
COMPACT SPARE TIRE
T145/80R16
P225/60R16
The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 386kg or 850 lbs.
TOTAL 5 FRONT 2 REAR 3
UBD008AA