2022 Subaru Outback Towing User Manual

2022 Subaru Outback Towing

Towing

WARNING
Never tow AWD vehicles 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, SUBARU recommends it be done by your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service.

Towing Hook and Tie-Down Hooks/Holes

The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency.
A towing hook is supplied with Outback/Subaru Outback Wilderness only. Legacy is not supplied with a towing hook (the towing hook can be purchased at a SUBARU dealer). On Legacy, the towing access cover is on the rear bumper only. SUBARU recommends towing be done by your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service.

CAUTION

• Use only the specified towing hook 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.

Front towing hook (Outback/Subaru Outback Wilderness):

1. Take out the screwdriver, towing hook, wheel nut wrench and jack handle from the under-floor storage compartment.
   1. Towing hook covers (Depending on the vehicle, there may be only one cover.)
2. Cover the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with vinyl tape or cloth so that it will not scratch the bumper. Insert the flat-head screwdriver into the cutout of the cover and pry open the cover.
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 and wheel nut wrench.
   After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the under-floor storage compartment. Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

• Do not use the towing hook for purposes other than 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.

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

Rear towing hook:

1. Take out the screwdriver, towing hook, wheel nut wrench and jack handle from the under-floor storage compartment.
   1. Towing hook covers (Depending on the vehicle, there may be only one cover.)
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 and wheel nut wrench.
   After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the under-floor storage compartment.
   Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

• Do not use the towing hook for purposes other than 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 fuel pump shut-off function when the vehicle is struck from behind.

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

Front tie-down hooks:

The front tie-down hooks are located between each of the front tires and the front bumper. Front Tie-down Hooks are for tying down the vehicle. They are not for towing.

Rear tie-down holes:

1. Rear tie-down hole

The rear tie-down holes are located near each of the jack-up reinforcements. There is a plug in each rear tie-down hole. To use the rear tie-down holes, remove the plugs. After using the rear tie-down holes, return the plugs to their original places.

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.
2. Apply the parking brake firmly.
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.

CAUTION
Transport by flat-bed truck may cause the headlights to become misaligned. In such a case, have the headlight alignment checked by a SUBARU dealer after transporting the vehicle by flat-bed truck.

Towing with All Wheels on the Ground

WARNING

• Never turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” 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.
• Sometimes damaged vehicles cannot be towed because of their damaged condition. In that case, use a flat-bed truck for transportation.
• The traveling speed must be limited to less than 20 mph (32 km/h) and the traveling distance to less than 31 miles (50 km). For greater speeds and distances, transport your vehicle on a flatbed truck.
• Use a flatbed truck if there are long-distance downgrades or steep slopes. However, do not apply the brake pedal for a long time because the engine braking will not work while towing. Doing so could overheat the brake.
• Drive carefully and do not make an impact on the towing rope by suddenly starting.
• Use a specific towing rope for towing. If wire ropes and metal chains are needed to be used for towing, wrap the contact portion of the bumper with a cloth to protect it from damage.

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