Subaru Outback (BR): Tire pressures and wear
Maintaining the correct tire pressures helps to maximize the tires’ service lives and is essential for good running performance. Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of each tire (including the spare) at least once a month (for example, during a fuel stop) and before any long journey.
Check the tire pressures when the tires are cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the values shown on the tire placard. The tire placard is located on the door pillar on the driver’s side.
Driving even a short distance warms up the tires and increases the tire pressures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the outside temperature. It is best to check tire pressure outdoors before driving the vehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air inside it expands, causing the tire pressure to increase. Be careful not to mistakenly release air from a warm tire to reduce its pressure.
NOTE
● The air pressure in a tire increases by approximately 4.3 psi (30 kPa, 0.3 kgf/cm2) when the tire becomes warm.
● The tires are considered cold when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has been driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
WARNING
Do not let air out of warm tires to adjust pressure. Doing so will result in low tire pressure.
Incorrect tire pressures detract from controllability and ride comfort, and they cause the tires to wear abnormally.
● Correct tire pressure (tread worn evenly)
Roadholding is good, and steering is responsive. Rolling resistance is low, so fuel consumption is also lower.
● Abnormally low tire pressure (tread worn at shoulders)
Rolling resistance is high, so fuel consumption is also higher.
Abnormally high tire pressure (tread worn in center)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire magnifies the effects of road surface bumps and dips, possibly resulting in vehicle damage.
WARNING
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can cause the tires to deform severely and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in temperature could cause tread separation, and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss of vehicle control could lead to an accident.
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Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when your vehicle was new, but the wheels will
become unbalanced as the tires become worn during use. Wheel imbalance causes the
steering wheel to vibrate slightl
Wear indicators
1) New tread
2) Worn tread
3) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear indicator, which becomes visible when the
depth of the tread grooves decreases to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tir
Tire rotation direction mark
Example of tire rotation direction mark
1) Front
If the tire has a rotation direction specification, the tire rotation direction
mark is placed on its sidewall.
When you install a tire that has
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Shift lock release
If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the
“ON” position then move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever
button pressed and brake pedal depressed. If the select lever does not move after
performing the above procedure, perform the
Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of the tires. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any s
