Repair Contents: Note: Towing

Avoid towing vehicles except when the vehicle cannot be driven. Use a loader instead of towing. When towing other vehicles, pay attention to the following to prevent hook or vehicle damage resulting from excessive weight.

Make sure the vehicle towing is heavier than the vehicle being towed.
When towing the vehicle equipped with Subaru EyeSight, be sure to hold down the pre-collision brake OFF switch to turn OFF the pre-collision brake function. (Check that the pre-collision brake OFF indicator light in the meter lights up.)
Front (sedan model)

When towing the vehicle, always tow it in rear direction because the towing hook (eyebolt) installation hole is not provided to this vehicle.

CAUTION:

Do not tow using front tie-down hooks.

NOTE:

Towing hook (eyebolt) is not a standard equipment.

Front (OUTBACK model)
Remove the hook cover, and install the towing hook (eyebolt).

CAUTION:

Make sure to detach the towing hook (eyebolt) after towing. If the hook remains attached, airbag may not operate properly when receiving a shock from front side. And it may also affect the crash performance of the vehicle.
Do not tow using front tie-down hooks.

OUTBACK model

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

WILDERNESS model

NOTE:

The installation procedure for the left side is in the same way as for the right side.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Rear
Remove the hook cover, and install the towing hook (eyebolt).

CAUTION:

Make sure to detach the towing hook (eyebolt) after towing. If the hook remains attached, the fuel leakage control function of the fuel pump may not operate properly when receiving a shock from rear side. And it may also affect the crash performance of the vehicle.

NOTE:

For sedan models, the towing hook (eyebolt) is not a standard equipment.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Precautions

Towing method	Precautions	CVT
Lifting up four wheels (on a trailer) Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.	Towing the vehicle after lifting up all four wheels is a basic rule.	◦
Rope Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.	Check if both front and rear wheels are rotated normally. Driving conditions: Driving speed of 20 MPH (32 km/h) or less Driving distance of 31 miles (50 km) or less	Δ
Raising the front wheels Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.	Towing the vehicle after lifting up all four wheels is a basic rule.	x
Lifting up the front wheels Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.	Prohibited, due to potential damage on bumper face front, front grille assembly, etc. Do not raise the vehicle using the bumper face front.	x

Marked ◦: OK, Marked x: Prohibited, Marked Δ: Conditionally OK

CAUTION:

Place the shift lever in "N" position during towing.
Do not lift up the rear wheels to avoid unsteady rotation.
Turn the ignition switch to "ACC", then check that the steering wheel moves freely. (Model without keyless access with push button start)
Turn the ignition switch to "ACC" or "ON" position, and check that the steering wheel moves freely. (Model with keyless access with push button start)
Release the parking brake to avoid tire dragging.
Since the power steering does not work, be careful for the heavy steering effort. (When engine is stopped)
Since the servo brake does not work, be careful that the brake is not applied effectively. (When engine is stopped)
In case of the malfunction of internal transmission or drive system, lift up four wheels (on a trailer) for towing.
Do not use towing hook (eyebolt) except when towing.
While being towed with all four wheels on the ground, turn the engine switch to ON but do not start the engine.
If any of the following conditions is met, the headlight beam may deviate. If the headlight beam deviates, perform fuse resetting. Ref. to LIGHTING SYSTEM>AUTO HEADLIGHT BEAM LEVELER SYSTEM>PROCEDURE>FUSE RESET .

Difference has occurred to the angle of road surface between when the ignition switch is turned to OFF and when the ignition switch is turned to ON.
Difference has occurred to the angle of road surface between when the ignition switch is turned to OFF and when the vehicle speed is 0 km/h (0 MPH).