Subaru Ascent (2022 year). Manual in english

(381,1)

RAB warning indicator

RAB malfunction message

RAB warning indicator

If the Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
system malfunctions, the above indicator
illuminates on the combination meter.
Contact the nearest SUBARU dealer for
details.

Handling of the sonar sen-
sors

The 4 sonar sensors are located in the rear
bumper. To ensure the proper operation of
the Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
system, observe the following precau-
tions.

Do not affix any stickers or other items

on the sonar sensor or the bumper surface
near the sonar sensors.

Always keep the rear bumper surface

near the sonar sensors clean.

Do not modify the rear bumper.

Do not paint the bumper near the sonar

sensors.

Do not apply strong impacts to the rear

bumper near the sonar sensors. If a sensor
becomes misaligned, a system malfunc-
tion may occur, including inability to detect
objects in the reversing direction. If any
strong impact is applied to the rear
bumper, contact a SUBARU dealer to
have the system inspected.

Do not disassemble the sonar sensors.

NOTE

If the sonar sensors require repair or
replacement, or if the area of the rear
bumper near the sonar sensors re-
quires repair, paintwork or replace-
ment, contact your SUBARU dealer for
assistance.

Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system

379

Starting

and

operating

(383,1)

8-1. New vehicle break-in driving – the first

1,000 miles (1,600 km) .................................. 382

8-2. Fuel economy hints ........................................ 382
8-3. Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ....... 382
8-4. Catalytic converter ......................................... 383
8-5. Periodic inspections....................................... 384
8-6. Driving in foreign countries........................... 384
8-7. Driving tips for AWD models ......................... 384
8-8. On-road and off-road driving ......................... 386

Before driving..................................................... 387
During driving .................................................... 387
After driving ....................................................... 387

8-9. Winter driving ................................................. 388

Operation during cold weather ............................ 388
Driving on snowy and icy roads.......................... 390
Corrosion protection........................................... 391
Snow tires .......................................................... 391

Tire chains ......................................................... 391
Rocking the vehicle............................................ 392

8-10. Loading your vehicle ....................................392

Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 393
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating).............. 394

Roof rails ........................................................... 394
Roof tent............................................................ 395

8-11. Trailer hitch (dealer option) ..........................397

Connecting a trailer............................................ 398
If not towing a trailer .......................................... 400

8-12. Trailer towing .................................................400

Warranties and maintenance .............................. 401
Maximum load limits .......................................... 401
Trailer Hitches.................................................... 404
When you do not tow a trailer ............................ 405
Connecting a trailer............................................ 405
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 406

Driving tips

Driving

tips

(384,1)

8-1. New vehicle break-in
driving – the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km)

The performance and long life of your
vehicle are dependent on how you handle
and care for your vehicle while it is new.
Follow these instructions during the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km):

Do not race the engine. And do not

allow engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm
except in an emergency.

Do not drive at one constant engine or

vehicle speed, either fast or slow.

Avoid starting suddenly and rapid ac-

celeration, except in an emergency.

Avoid hard braking, except in an emer-

gency.

The same break-in procedures should be
applied to an overhauled engine, newly
mounted engine or when brake pads are
replaced with new ones.

8-2. Fuel economy hints

The following suggestions will help to save
fuel.

Select the proper gear position for the

speed and road conditions.

Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera-

tion. Always accelerate gently until you
reach the desired speed. Then try to
maintain that speed for as long as possi-
ble.

Do not pump the accelerator and avoid

racing the engine.

Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

Keep the engine properly tuned.

Keep the tires inflated to the correct

pressure shown on the tire inflation pres-
sure label, which is located under the door
latch on the driver’s side. Low pressure will
increase tire wear and fuel consumption.

Use the air conditioner only when

necessary.

Keep the front and rear wheels in

proper alignment.

Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or

cargo.

8-3. Engine exhaust gas (car-
bon monoxide)

WARNING

Never inhale engine exhaust gas.

Engine exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide, a colorless
and odorless gas which is dan-
gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.

Always properly maintain the en-

gine exhaust system to prevent
engine exhaust gas from entering
the vehicle.

Never run the engine in a closed

space, such as a garage, except
for the brief time needed to drive
the vehicle in or out of it.

Avoid remaining in a parked ve-

hicle for a lengthy time while the
engine is running. If that is un-
avoidable, then use the ventila-
tion fan to force fresh air into the
vehicle.

Always keep the front ventilator

inlet grille free from snow, leaves
or other obstructions to ensure
that the ventilation system al-
ways works properly.

New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)

382

(385,1)

If at any time you suspect that

exhaust fumes are entering the
v e h i c l e , h a v e t h e p r o b l e m
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.

Keep the rear gate closed while

driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.

NOTE

Due to the expansion and contraction
of the metals used in the manufacture
of the exhaust system, you may hear a
crackling sound coming from the ex-
haust system for a short time after the
engine has been shut off. This sound is
normal.

8-4. Catalytic converter

The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to
reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gases,
thus providing cleaner exhaust.

To avoid damage to the catalytic converter:

Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small

amount of leaded fuel will damage the
catalytic converter.

Never start the engine by pushing or

pulling the vehicle.

Avoid racing the engine.

Never turn the ignition switch to the

“OFF” position while the vehicle is moving.

Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel

the engine running rough (misfiring, back-
firing or incomplete combustion), have

your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.

Do not apply undercoating or rust

prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-
tem.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel

level.

WARNING

Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive

or park the vehicle anywhere
near flammable materials (e.g.,
grass, paper, rags or leaves),
because the catalytic converter
operates at very high tempera-
tures.

Keep everyone and flammable

materials away from the exhaust
pipe while the engine is running.
The exhaust gas is very hot.

Catalytic converter

383

Driving

tips

(386,1)

8-5. Periodic inspections

To keep your vehicle in the best condition
at all times, always have the recom-
mended maintenance services listed in
the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet” per-
formed at the specified time or mileage
intervals.

8-6. Driving in foreign coun-
tries

When planning to use your vehicle in
another country:

Confirm the availability of the correct

fuel. Refer to “Fuel requirements”

P315.

Comply with all regulations and require-

ments of each country.

8-7. Driving tips for AWD
models

WARNING

Always maintain a safe driving

speed according to the road and
weather conditions in order to
avoid having an accident on a
sharp turn, during sudden brak-
ing or under other similar condi-
tions.

Always use the utmost care in

driving – overconfidence be-
cause you are driving an All-
Wheel Drive vehicle could easily
lead to a serious accident.

When replacing or installing

tire(s), all four tires must be the
same for following items.

(a) Size

(b) Speed symbol

(c) Load index

(d) Circumference

(e) Construction

(f) Manufacturer

(g) Brand (tread pattern)

(h) Degrees of wear

Periodic inspections

384

(387,1)

For the items (a) to (c), you must
obey the specification that is
printed on the tire inflation pres-
sure label. The tire inflation pres-
sure label is located on the dri-
ver’s door pillar.

If all the four tires are not the
same for items (a) to (h), serious
mechanical damage could be
caused to the drivetrain of the
car, and affect the followings.

– Ride

– Handling

– Braking

– Speedometer/Odometer cali-

bration

– Clearance between the body

and tires

It also may be dangerous and
lead to loss of vehicle control,
and it can lead to an accident.

CAUTION

If you use a temporary spare tire to
replace a flat tire, be sure to use the
original temporary spare tire stored
in the vehicle. Using other sizes may
result in severe mechanical damage
to the drivetrain of your vehicle.

All-Wheel Drive distributes the engine
power to all four wheels. AWD models
provide better traction when driving on
slippery, wet or snow-covered roads and
when moving out of mud, dirt and sand. By
shifting power between the front and rear
wheels, SUBARU AWD can also provide
added traction during acceleration and
added engine braking force during decel-
eration.

Therefore, your SUBARU AWD vehicle
may handle differently than an ordinary
two wheel drive vehicle and it contains
some features unique to AWD. For safety
purposes as well as to avoid damaging the
AWD system, you should keep the follow-
ing tips in mind.

An AWD model is better able to climb

steeper roads under snowy or slippery
conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle.
There is little difference in handling, how-
ever, during extremely sharp turns or
sudden braking. Therefore, when driving
down a slope or turning corners, be sure to
reduce your speed and maintain an ample
distance from other vehicles.

Always check the cold tire pressure

before starting to drive. The recommended
tire pressure is provided on the tire inflation
pressure label, which is located under the
door latch on the driver’s side.

Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle

under hard-driving conditions such as
steep hills or dusty roads will necessitate
more frequent replacement of the follow-
ing items than that specified in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.

– Engine oil
– Brake fluid
– Rear differential gear oil
– Continuously variable transmission
fluid
– Front differential gear oil

There are some precautions that you

must observe when towing your vehicle.
For detailed information, refer to “Towing”

P426.

Driving tips for AWD models

385

Driving

tips

(388,1)

8-8. On-road and off-road
driving

WARNING

Always maintain a safe driving

speed according to the road and
weather conditions in order to
avoid having an accident on a
sharp turn, during sudden brak-
ing or under other similar condi-
tions.

Always use the utmost care in

driving – overconfidence be-
cause you are driving an All-
Wheel Drive model could easily
lead to a serious accident.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted

person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wear-
ing a seatbelt. The driver and all
passengers should fasten their
seatbelts before starting to drive
in order to minimize the chance
of serious injury or death.

Do not make sharp turns or quick

maneuvers unless absolutely un-
avoidable. Such actions are dan-
gerous, as you may lose control,
possibly resulting in a rollover
which could cause death or ser-

ious injury.

Whenever strong crosswinds are

present, slow down sufficiently
to maintain control of your vehi-
cle. Remember that your vehicle,
with its higher profile and center
of gravity, is more likely to be
affected by crosswinds than or-
dinary passenger cars.

Never attempt to drive through

pools and puddles, or roads
flooded with water. Water enter-
ing the engine air intake or the
exhaust pipe or water splashing
onto electrical parts may damage
your vehicle and may cause it to
stall. In this case, contact your
SUBARU dealer immediately. Re-
gardless of its depth, it can wash
away the ground from under your
tires, resulting in possible loss of
traction and even vehicle roll-
over.

CAUTION

Frequent driving of an AWD mod-

el under hard-driving conditions
such as rough roads or off roads
will necessitate more frequent
replacement of the following

items than that specified in the
maintenance schedule described
in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”.

– Engine oil

– Brake fluid

Remember that damage done to
your SUBARU while operating it
off-road and not using common
sense precautions such as those
listed here is not eligible for
warranty coverage.

After driving on gravel roads or

rough roads, check the under-
carriage of the vehicle body for
any damage, deformation, or
paint removal. If you notice any
irregularities, contact a SUBARU
dealer for an inspection as soon
as possible.

Your vehicle is classified as a utility
vehicle. Utility vehicles feature a higher
ground clearance which enables them to
be used for wide applications including off-
road driving. However, please keep in
mind that your vehicle is neither a conven-
tional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain
vehicle. A higher center of gravity in
relation to the tread width as compared
with ordinary passenger cars makes ve-

On-road and off-road driving

386

(389,1)

hicles of this type more likely to roll over. In
reality, utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles. The high ground clearance of this
vehicle is a real advantage, giving you a
better view of the road and allowing you to
anticipate problems earlier. However, re-
member that your utility vehicle is not
designed for high-speed cornering com-
parable to ordinary passenger cars and
that your vehicle could roll over if you make
a sharp turn at a high speed.
If you take your SUBARU off-road, certain
common sense precautions such as those
in the following list should be taken.

Before driving

Make certain that you and all of your

passengers are wearing seatbelts.

Carry some emergency equipment,

such as a towing rope or chain, a shovel,
wheel blocks, first aid kit and cell phone or
citizens band radio.

Secure all cargo carried inside the

vehicle and make certain that it is not piled
higher than the seatbacks. During sudden
stops or jolts, unsecured cargo could be
thrown around in the vehicle and cause
injury. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof.
Those loads raise the vehicle’s center of
gravity and make it more prone to tip over.

Never equip your vehicle with tires

larger than those specified in this manual.

During driving

General precautions:

Drive carefully. Do not take unneces-

sary risks by driving in dangerous areas or
over rough terrain.

Slow down and employ extra caution at

all times. When driving off-road, you will
not have the benefit of marked traffic
lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and
the like.

Do not drive across steep slopes.

Instead, drive either straight up or straight
down the slopes. A vehicle can much more
easily tip over sideways than it can end
over end. Avoid driving straight up or down
slopes that are too steep.

Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, espe-

cially at higher speeds.

Do not grip the inside or spokes of the

steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the
wheel and injure your hands. Instead,
drive with your fingers and thumbs on the
outside of the rim.

Do not drive or park over or near

flammable materials such as dry grass or
fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The
exhaust system is very hot while the
engine is running and right after the engine

stops. This could create a fire hazard.

Precautions when driving under espe-
cially dangerous situations:

If you must rock the vehicle to free it

from sand or mud, depress the accelerator
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. Refer to “Selection of manual
mode”

P337.

After driving

Always check your brakes for effective-

ness immediately after driving in sand,
mud or water. Do this by driving slowly and
stepping on the brake pedal. Repeat that
process several times to dry out the brake
discs and brake pads.

After driving through tall grass, mud,

rocks, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is
no grass, bush, paper, rags, stones, sand,
etc. adhering to or trapped on the under-
body. Clear off any such matter from the
underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the
underbody, a mechanical breakdown or

– CONTINUED –

On-road and off-road driving

387

Driving

tips

(390,1)

fire could occur.

Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off-

road driving. Suspension components are
particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they
need to be washed thoroughly.

8-9. Winter driving

Operation during cold weath-
er

Maintenance

Carry some emergency equipment, such
as a window scraper, a bag of sand, flares,
a small shovel and jumper cables.

Check the battery and cables. Cold tem-
peratures reduce battery capacity. The
battery must be in good condition to
provide enough power for cold winter
starts.

It normally takes longer to start the engine
in very cold weather conditions. Use an
engine oil of a proper grade and viscosity
for cold weather. Using heavy summer oil
will make it harder to start the engine.
Keep the door locks from freezing by
squirting them with deicer or glycerin.

Forcing a frozen door open may damage
or separate the rubber weather strips
around the door. If the door is frozen, use
hot water to melt the ice, and afterwards
thoroughly wipe the water away.

Use a windshield washer fluid that con-
tains an antifreeze solution. Do not use
engine antifreeze or other substitutes
because they may damage the paint of

the vehicle.

If you fill the reservoir tank with a fluid with
a different concentration from the one
used previously, purge the old fluid from
the piping between the reservoir tank and
washer nozzles by operating the washer
for a certain period of time. Otherwise, if
the concentration of the fluid remaining in
the piping is too low for the outside
temperature, it may freeze and block the
nozzles.

CAUTION

Adjust the washer fluid concen-

tration appropriately for the out-
side temperature. If the concen-
tration is inappropriate, sprayed
washer fluid may freeze on the
windshield and obstruct your
view, and the fluid may freeze in
the reservoir tank.

State or local regulations on

volatile organic compounds may
restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer anti-
freeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol anti-
freeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging
your vehicle’s paint, wiper blades

Winter driving

388

(391,1)

or washer system.

Before driving your vehicle

Before entering the vehicle, remove any
snow or ice from your shoes because that
could make the pedals slippery and driving
dangerous.

While warming up the vehicle before
driving, check that the accelerator pedal,
brake pedal, and all other controls operate
smoothly.

Clear away ice and snow that has accu-
mulated under the fenders to avoid making
steering difficult. During severe winter
driving, stop when and where it is safe to
do so and check under the fenders
periodically.

Parking in cold weather

WARNING

Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle if you park
the vehicle in snow with the engine
running.

CAUTION

Do not use the parking brake

when parking for long periods in
cold weather since it could freeze
in that position.

When the vehicle is parked in

snow or when it snows, raise the
wiper blades off the glass to
prevent damage to them.

When the vehicle has been left

parked after use on roads heavily
covered with snow, or has been
left parked during a snowstorm,
icing may develop on the brake
system, which could cause poor
braking action. Check for snow or
ice buildup on the suspension,
disc brakes and brake hoses
underneath the vehicle. If there
is caked snow or ice, remove it,
being careful not to damage the
disc brakes, brake hoses or ABS
harness.

When parking for long periods in cold
weather, you should observe the following
tips.
1. Place the select lever in the “P”
position.
2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent
the vehicle from moving.

Refueling in cold weather

To help prevent moisture from forming in
the fuel system and the risk of its freezing,
use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel
tank is recommended during cold weather.
Use only additives that are specifically
designed for this purpose. When an anti-
freeze additive is used, its effect lasts
longer if the tank is refilled whenever the
fuel level reaches half empty.

If your SUBARU is not going to be used for
an extended period, it is best to have the
fuel tank filled to capacity.

Opening rear gate (models with
power rear gate)

CAUTION

Before operating the power rear
gate, check that there is no frost or
snow between the power rear gate
and the vehicle body. If you notice
frost or snow on the power rear gate,
remove it. If you forcibly operate the
power rear gate with frost or snow, it
may cause a malfunction.

– CONTINUED –

Winter driving

389

Driving

tips

(392,1)

Driving on snowy and icy
roads

To prevent skidding and slipping, avoid
sudden braking, abrupt acceleration, high-
speed driving, and sharp turning when
driving on snowy or icy roads.
Always maintain ample distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
to avoid the need for sudden braking.
To supplement the foot brake, use the
engine brake effectively to control the
vehicle speed. (Shift into a lower gear
when necessary.)
Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such beha-
vior can cause the wheels to lock, possibly
leading to loss of vehicle control.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS) en-
hances your vehicle’s braking perfor-
mance on snowy and icy roads. For
information on braking on slippery sur-
faces, refer to “ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System)”

P343 and “Vehicle Dynamics

Control system”

P345.

WARNING

Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads such as snowy or icy
roads. This may cause loss of vehi-
cle control.

CAUTION

Avoid prolonged continuous driving
in snowstorms. Snow will enter the
engine’s intake system and may
hinder the airflow, which could re-
sult in engine shutdown or even
breakdown.

Wiper operation when snowing

Before driving in cold weather, make sure
the wiper blade rubbers are not frozen to
the windshield or rear window.

If the wiper blade rubbers are frozen to the
windshield or rear window, perform the
following procedure.

To thaw the windshield wiper blade

rubbers, use the defroster with the airflow
selection in “

” and the temperature set

for maximum warmth until the wiper blade
rubbers are completely thawed. Refer to
“Climate control”

P269.

If your vehicle is equipped with a wiper

deicer, use it. It is helpful to thaw the
windshield wiper blade rubbers. Refer to
“Defogger and deicer”

P265.

To thaw the rear wiper blade rubbers,

use the rear window defogger. Refer to
“Defogger and deicer”

P265.

When driving in snow, if frozen snow starts
to stick on the surface of the windshield
despite wiper operation, use the defroster
with the airflow selection in “

” and the

temperature set for maximum warmth.
After the windshield gets warmed enough
to melt the frozen snow on it, wash it away
using the windshield washer. Refer to
“Windshield washer”

P239.

Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the
wiper from working effectively. If snow is
stuck on the wiper arm, pull off the road to
a safe place, then remove it. If you stop the
vehicle at road side, use the hazard
warning flasher to alert other drivers. Refer
to “Hazard warning flasher”

P170.

We recommend use of non-freezing type
wiper blades (winter blades) during the
seasons you could have snow and freez-
ing temperatures. Blades of this type give
superior wiping performance in snowy
conditions. Be sure to use blades that are
suitable for your vehicle.

Winter driving

390

(393,1)

CAUTION

During high-speed driving, non-
freezing type wiper blades may not
perform as well as standard wiper
blades. If this happens, reduce the
vehicle speed.

NOTE

When the season requiring non-freez-
ing type wiper blades is over, replace
them with standard wiper blades.

Corrosion protection

Refer to “Corrosion protection”

P438.

Snow tires

WARNING

When replacing or installing win-

ter tire(s), all four tires must be
the same for following items.

(a) Size

(b) Speed symbol

(c) Load index

(d) Circumference

(e) Construction

(f) Manufacturer

(g) Brand (tread pattern)

(h) Degrees of wear

For the items (a) to (c), you must
obey the specification that is
printed on the tire inflation pres-
sure label. The tire inflation pres-
sure label is located on the dri-
ver’s door pillar.

If all the four tires are not the
same for items (a) to (h), serious
mechanical damage could be
caused to the drivetrain of the
car, and affect the followings.

– Ride

– Handling

– Braking

– Speedometer/Odometer cali-

bration

– Clearance between the body

and tires

It also may be dangerous and
lead to loss of vehicle control,
and it can lead to an accident.

Do not use a combination of

radial, belted bias or bias tires
since it may cause dangerous
handling characteristics and lead
to an accident.

Your vehicle is equipped with “all season
tires” as original equipment, which are
designed to provide an adequate measure
of traction, handling and braking perfor-
mance in year-round driving. In winter, it
may be possible to enhance performance
through use of tires designed specifically
for winter driving conditions.
When you choose to install winter tires on
your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire
size and type. You must install four winter
tires that are of the same size, construc-
tion, brand and load range and you should
never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires
since this may result in dangerous hand-
ling characteristics. When you choose a
tire, make sure that there is enough
clearance between the tire and vehicle
body.

Remember to drive with care at all times
regardless of the type of tires on your
vehicle.

Tire chains

CAUTION

Tire chains cannot be used on your
vehicle because of the lack of clear-
ance between the tires and vehicle
body.

– CONTINUED –

Winter driving

391

Driving

tips

(394,1)

NOTE

When tire chains cannot be used, use of
another type of traction device (such as
spring chains) may be acceptable if use
on your vehicle is recommended by the
device manufacturer, taking into ac-
count tire size and road conditions.
Follow the device manufacturer’s in-
structions, especially regarding max-
imum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle,
and do not spin your wheels. Damage
caused to your vehicle by use of a
traction device is not covered under
warranty.

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.

Rocking the vehicle

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.

For information about holding the trans-
mission in the 2nd position, refer to
“Selection of manual mode”

P337.

8-10. Loading your vehicle

WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride

on a folded rear seatback in the
cargo area. Doing so may result
in serious injury.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

CAUTION

Do not carry spray cans, containers
with flammable or corrosive liquids
or any other dangerous items inside
the vehicle.

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.

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GVWR and GAWR (Gross Ve-
hicle Weight Rating and
Gross Axle Weight Rating)

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

assembly) plus the vehicle capacity
weight.

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.
When possible, the load should be evenly
distributed throughout the vehicle.

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.

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.

Roof rails

Roof rails

Cargo can be carried on the roof after
securing the roof crossbars to the roof rails
and installing the appropriate carrying
attachments. When installing the roof
crossbars and the carrying attachments,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The
roof rail system is designed to carry loads
(cargo, roof crossbars and carrying attach-
ments) of no more than

176 lbs (80 kg)

. Be

sure not to exceed your vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR.

CAUTION

When using the carrying attach-

ments, make sure that the total
carrying load of the cargo, roof

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crossbars and carrying attach-
ments does not exceed 176 lbs
(80 kg). Overloading may cause
damage to the vehicle. Read the
manufacturer’s instructions and
pay attention to not exceed the
load limit of the parts.

For cargo carrying purposes, the

roof rails must be used together
with the SUBARU recommended
roof crossbars and any appropri-
ate 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.

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.

Roof tent

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).

CAUTION

The roof rail load limit for sta-

tionary vehicles (700 lbs (317 kg))
applies only when 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.

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 may be used under certain
conditions 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.

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395

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Subaru Ascent (2022 year). Manual in english - page 24