Subaru Forester Manuals 2026 Forester Owner's Manual | Page 452

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DRIVING TIPS
its depth, it can wash away the ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and even vehicle rollover.
CAUTION
. Frequent driving of an AWD model 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 Maintenance 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 undercarriage 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. A utility vehicle features a high ground clearance and may be equipped with off-road tires( Subaru Forester Wilderness only), which enable the vehicle to be used for a wider range of applications. Because of the AWD feature and higher ground clearance, you can drive your SUBARU on ordinary roads or off-road. It handles and maneuvers differently from many passenger vehicles both on-road and off-road, so take time to become familiar with your vehicle. Note, however, that your vehicle is not a conventional off-road vehicle or an allterrain vehicle, and it should not be
operated like one. A higher center of gravity in relation to the tread width as compared with ordinary passenger cars makes vehicles 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, remember that your utility vehicle is not designed for highspeed cornering comparable to ordinary passenger cars and that your vehicle could roll over if you make a sharp turn at 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 s08ah09
. 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 s08ah10
General precautions:
. Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain.
. Slow down and employ extra caution at all times. When driving off-road, you