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EnglishDriving tips -> Loading your vehicle for your Subaru Forester 2019-2024
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.
1
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
– CONTINUED –
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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