Subaru Ascent 2018-2026 Owner's Manual: Tire care - maintenance and safety practices

• For reliable performance of your Subaru Ascent, inspect the tires ежедневно or before each drive to ensure they are free from serious damage, embedded objects such as nails or stones, and any visible defects. At the same time, carefully examine the tread pattern for signs of uneven or abnormal wear that could indicate alignment or suspension issues.
• Regularly monitor the tread depth on your Subaru Ascent tires and replace them before the tread wear indicators become visible. Once these indicators appear, the tire has reached its legal wear limit and must be replaced immediately. Driving with worn tires—especially on wet roads—can significantly increase the risk of hydroplaning, which may lead to a sudden loss of control and potentially dangerous situations.
• To extend the service life of your Subaru Ascent tires and promote even wear across all four wheels, perform tire rotation approximately every 6,000 miles (10,000 km). Always replace tires that show damage or uneven wear during rotation. After completing rotation, adjust tire pressure according to specifications and verify that wheel nuts are tightened correctly using the proper torque sequence described in the "Flat tires" section.

Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load capacities

For safe operation of your Subaru Ascent, the combined maximum load capacity of all four tires must exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Additionally, the combined load capacity of the front tires and rear tires must exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for each axle.

The GVWR represents the total allowable weight of the Subaru Ascent when fully loaded, while GAWR refers to the maximum permissible load for each axle. These values are indicated on the certification label located on the lower section of the driver’s side door pillar.

It is important to understand that these limits are not determined solely by tire capacity. They also depend on the structural capabilities of the suspension system, axles, and overall vehicle construction of the Subaru Ascent.

Therefore, even if the tire sidewall indicates a higher load rating, the Subaru Ascent must never be loaded beyond the limits specified by the manufacturer.

Adverse safety consequences of overloading on handling and stopping and on tires

Exceeding the recommended load capacity of your Subaru Ascent can negatively impact handling, braking efficiency, and overall vehicle safety. Overloading may result in the following serious consequences:

• Reduced vehicle stability, especially during cornering or emergency maneuvers.
• Increased risk of rollover when carrying heavy or elevated loads.
• Extended braking distances, making it more difficult to stop safely.
• Overheating of brake components, potentially leading to brake failure.
• Accelerated wear or damage to suspension components, axles, and structural elements of the Subaru Ascent.
• Higher likelihood of tire damage or complete tire failure.
• Possible tread separation under excessive load conditions.
• Risk of the tire detaching from the rim in extreme cases.

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit

1. Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on the vehicle placard of your Subaru Ascent.

2. Calculate the total weight of all occupants, including the driver and passengers, who will be traveling in the Subaru Ascent.

3. Subtract the total occupant weight from the value indicated on the placard (XXX kg or XXX lbs.).

4. The resulting value represents the maximum allowable weight for cargo and luggage. For example, if the limit is 1,400 lbs. and five passengers each weigh 150 lbs., the remaining cargo capacity will be 650 lbs.

5. Ensure that the combined weight of all cargo and luggage loaded into the Subaru Ascent does not exceed the calculated available capacity.

6. If your Subaru Ascent is towing a trailer, remember that a portion of the trailer’s weight will transfer to the vehicle.

Refer to the towing section of this manual to understand how trailer load affects the available cargo capacity and to maintain safe operating conditions.

Maintaining правильний баланс навантаження та регулярний догляд за шинами вашого Subaru Ascent забезпечує максимальну безпеку, довговічність шин і стабільну керованість автомобіля у будь-яких дорожніх умовах.