Subaru Legacy: Towing

Subaru Legacy: Towing

WARNING

Never tow AWD vehicles (including AT, MT and CVT) with the front wheels raised off the ground while the rear wheels are on the ground, or with the rear wheels raised off the ground while the front wheels are on the ground. This will cause the vehicle to spin away due to the operation or deterioration of the center differential.

If towing is necessary, it is best done by your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service. Observe the following procedures for safety.

• Towing and tie-down hooks/holes
• Using a flat-bed truck
• Towing with all wheels on the ground

Towing and tie-down hooks/holes

The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency (e.g., to free a stuck vehicle from mud, sand or snow).

CAUTION

● Use only the specified towing hooks and tie-down hooks/holes. Never use suspension parts or other parts of the body for towing or tie-down purposes.

● Never use the tie-down hole closest to the muffler under the vehicle for towing purposes.

● To prevent deformation to the bumper and the towing hook, do not apply excessive lateral load to the towing hooks.

Front towing hook:

1. Take out the towing hook and screwdriver from the on board tool bucket. Take out the jack handle from the trunk (Legacy) or cargo area (Outback).

2. Pry off the cover on the front bumper using a screwdriver, and you will find a threaded hole for attaching the towing hook.

3. Screw the towing hook into the threaded hole until the threads can no longer be seen.

4. Tighten the towing hook securely using the jack handle.

After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the tool bucket. Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

● Do not use the towing hook except when towing your vehicle.
● Be sure to remove the towing hook after towing. Leaving the towing hook mounted on the vehicle could interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag system in a frontal collision.

Rear towing hook:

1. Take the towing hook out of the tool bucket and take the screwdriver out of the tool bucket. Take the jack handle out of the trunk (Legacy) or cargo area (Outback).

2. Pry off the cover on the rear bumper using a screwdriver, and you will find a threaded hole for attaching the towing hook.

3. Screw the towing hook into the threaded hole until its thread can no longer be seen.

4. Tighten the towing hook securely using the jack handle.

After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the tool bucket. Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

Do not use the towing hook except when towing your vehicle.

Front tie-down hooks:

The front tie-down hooks are located between each of the front tires and the front bumper.

Rear tie-down holes:

1) Rear tie-down hole

The rear tie-down holes are located near each of the jack-up reinforcements.

WARNING

Use the rear tie-down holes only for downward anchoring. If they are used to anchor the vehicle in any other direction, cables may slip out of the holes, possibly causing a dangerous situation.

Using a flat-bed truck

This is the best way to transport your vehicle. Use the following procedures to ensure safe transportation.

1. Shift the select lever into the “P” position for AT and CVT models or the shift lever into “1st” for MT models.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Secure the vehicle onto the carrier properly with safety chains. Each safety chain should be equally tightened and care must be taken not to pull the chains so tightly that the suspension bottoms out.

Towing with all wheels on the ground

WARNING

● Never turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position while the vehicle is being towed because the steering wheel and the direction of the wheels will be locked.

● Remember that the brake booster and power steering do not function when the engine is not running. Because the engine is turned off, it will take greater effort to operate the brake pedal and steering wheel.

CAUTION

● If transmission failure occurs, transport your vehicle on a flatbed truck.

● Do not run the engine while being towed using this method. Transmission damage could result if the vehicle is towed with the engine running.

● For AT and CVT models, the traveling speed must be limited to less than 20 mph (30 km/h) and the traveling distance to less than 31 miles (50 km). For greater speeds and distances, transport your vehicle on a flat-bed truck.

1. Release the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral.
2. The ignition switch should be in the “Acc” position while the vehicle is being towed.
3. Take up slack in the towline slowly to prevent damage to the vehicle.

Engine overheatingElectronic parking brake – if the electronic parking brake cannot be released