Get Driving tips -> Loading your vehicle Guide for Subaru Forester SUV 2024

^{Loading your vehicle}407

Make certain that any traction device

you use is an SAE class S device, and

use it on the front wheels only. Always

use the utmost care when driving with a

traction device. Overconfidence be-

cause you are using a traction device

could easily lead to a serious accident.

8-11. Loading your vehicle

WARNING

When you carry something inside

the vehicle, secure it whenever

you can to prevent it from being

thrown around inside the vehicle

during sudden stops, sharp turns

or in an accident.

WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride

on a folded rear seatback in the

cargo area. Doing so may result

in serious injury.

& Rocking the vehicle

Do not pile heavy loads on the

roof. These loads raise the vehi-

cle’s center of gravity and make it

more prone to tip over.

Never stack luggage or other

cargo higher than the top of the

seatback because it could tumble

forward and injure passengers in

the event of a sudden stop or

accident. Keep luggage or cargo

low, as close to the floor as

possible.

If you must rock the vehicle to free it from

snow, sand, or mud, depress the accel-

erator pedal slightly and move the select

lever back and forth between “D” and “R”

repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the

best possible traction, avoid spinning the

wheels when trying to free the vehicle.

When the road surface is extremely

slippery, you can obtain better traction by

starting the vehicle with the transmission in

2nd than 1st.

Secure lengthy items properly to

prevent them from shooting for-

ward and causing serious injury

during a sudden stop.

Never exceed the maximum load

limit. If you do, some parts on

your vehicle can break, or it can

change the way your vehicle

handles. This could result in loss

of control and cause personal

injury. Also, overloading can

shorten the life of your vehicle.

For information about holding the trans-

mission in the 2nd position, refer to

“Selection of manual mode” �P326.

Do not place anything on the

extended cargo area cover. Such

items could tumble forward in the

event of a sudden stop or a

collision. This could cause ser-

ious injury.

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Loading your vehicle

408

& GVWR and GAWR (Gross Ve-

hicle Weight Rating and

CAUTION

Do not carry spray cans, containers

with flammable or corrosive liquids

or any other dangerous items inside

the vehicle.

Gross Axle Weight Rating)

NOTE

For better fuel economy, do not carry

unneeded cargo.

& Vehicle capacity weight

Vehicle placard

The load capacity of your vehicle is

determined by weight, not by available

cargo space. The maximum load you can

carry in your vehicle is shown on the

vehicle placard attached to the driver’s

side door pillar. It includes the total weight

of the driver and all passengers and their

belongings, any optional equipment such

as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier,

etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.

Certification label

The certification label attached to the

bottom of driver’s side door pillar shows

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).

The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must

never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the

combined total of weight of the vehicle,

fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any

optional equipment and trailer tongue

load. Therefore, the GVW changes de-

pending on the situation. The GVWR

equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your

vehicle – including standard equipment,

fluids, emergency tools and spare tire

^{Loading your vehicle}409

assembly) plus the vehicle capacity

weight.

does not exceed 176 lbs (80 kg).

Overloading may cause damage

to the vehicle. Read the manufac-

turer’s instructions and pay at-

tention to not exceed the load

limit of the parts.

& Roof rails (if equipped)

In addition, the total weight applied to each

axle (GAW) must never exceed the

GAWR. The front and rear GAWs can be

adjusted by relocating luggage inside the

vehicle.

Even if the total weight of your luggage is

lower than the vehicle capacity weight,

either front or rear GAW may exceed the

GAWR, depending on the distribution of

the luggage.

For cargo carrying purposes, the

roof rails must be used together

with the SUBARU recommended

crossbars and any appropriate

carrying attachment that may be

needed. The roof rails must never

be used alone to carry cargo.

Otherwise, damage to the roof

or paint, or a dangerous road

hazard due to loss of cargo could

result.

When possible, the load should be evenly

distributed throughout the vehicle.

Roof rails

If you carry heavy loads in the vehicle, you

should confirm that GVW and front and

rear GAWs are within the GVWR and

GAWR by putting your vehicle on a vehicle

scale, found at a commercial weighing

station.

Cargo can be carried on the roof after

securing the crossbars to the roof rails and

installing an appropriate carrying attach-

ment. When installing crossbars and a

carrying attachment, follow the manufac-

turer’s instructions. The roof rail system is

designed to carry loads (cargo, crossbars

and carrying attachment) of no more than

176 lbs (80 kg). Be sure not to exceed

your vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.

NOTE

Remember that the vehicle’s center of

gravity is altered with the weight of the

load on the roof, thus affecting driving

characteristics.

Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard

cornering and abrupt stops. Crosswind

effects will be increased.

Do not use replacement tires with a lower

load range than the originals because they

may lower the GVWR and GAWR limita-

tions. Replacement tires with a higher load

range than the originals do not increase

the GVWR and GAWR limitations.

CAUTION

When using a carrying attach-

ment, make sure that the total

carrying load of the cargo, cross-

bars and carrying attachment

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Loading your vehicle

410

the vehicle is parked and the load

is evenly distributed left/right and

front/rear and the roof crossbars

and roof tent are tightly secured

to the vehicle. If these conditions

are not met, the load limit will be

lower.

& Roof tent (models with roof

rails)

The maximum load limit of the

roof crossbars must be obtained

from the manufacturer or retailer

of the roof rack. When driving the

vehicle, the maximum roof rail

load is 176 lbs (80 kg) or the

crossbar load limit (whichever is

lower).

Roof tents can only be used on

vehicles originally equipped with

roof rails. Otherwise, damage to

the vehicle’s roof may occur.

WARNING

Adding weight to the vehicle’s roof

can adversely affect handling, brak-

ing, and rollover resistance. The

vehicle must never be driven with a

total roof rail load in excess of 176

lbs (80 kg).

On vehicles equipped with roof rails, roof

tents may be used under certain condi-

tions at your own risk.

! When driving the vehicle

The total weight on the roof rails, including

the roof crossbars and roof tent, must not

exceed the vehicle’s roof rail load of 176

lbs (80 kg), evenly distributed.

A: Roof rails

B: Roof crossbars

C: Roof tent

CAUTION

The roof rail load limit for sta-

tionary vehicles (700 lbs (317 kg)

(for Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg)

( f o r S u b a r u F o r e s t e r

Wilderness)) applies only when

B + C < 176 lbs (80 kg)

^{Trailer hitch (dealer option)}411

The total weight on the roof rails –

including the roof crossbars, roof tent,

and all occupants and contents in the roof

tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s

roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg) (for

Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) (for Subaru

Forester Wilderness)), evenly distributed,

or the load limit of the roof crossbars,

whichever is lower.

! When the vehicle is parked on level

8-12. Trailer hitch (dealer op-

tion)

ground

WARNING

Never exceed the maximum

weight specified for the trailer

hitch. Exceeding the maximum

weight could cause an accident

resulting in serious personal in-

juries. Permissible trailer weight

changes depending on the situa-

tion. For possible recommenda-

tions and limitations, refer to

“Trailer towing” �P414.

Load limit of the roof rail (A).

Forester: B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg)

Subaru Forester Wilderness: B + C + D

< 800 lbs (360 kg)

Exceeding this load limit could cause

damage to the vehicle or racking system.

The vehicle must never be driven with

occupants in the roof tent. Before the

vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo

must be removed from the roof tent and

the roof rail load must be restored to within

the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg).

Refer to the user manual that accompa-

nied the roof tent for important safety

information and instructions on the proper

installation and use of the tent.

Trailer brakes are required when

the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs

(453 kg). Be sure your trailer has

safety chains and that each chain

will hold the trailer’s maximum

gross weight. Towing trailers

without safety chains could cre-

ate a traffic safety hazard if the

trailer separates from the hitch

due to coupling damage or hitch

ball damage.

Be sure to check the hitch pin and

safety pin for positive locking

placement before towing a trailer.

If the ball mount comes off the

hitch receiver, the trailer could

A: Roof rails

B: Roof crossbars

C: Roof tent

D: Occupants in the roof tent

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Driving tips -> Loading your vehicle for Your Subaru Forester SUV 2024

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