Subaru Crosstrek Owners Manual: Driving on grades

Subaru Crosstrek Owners Manual / Driving tips / Trailer towing / Trailer towing tips / Driving on grades

Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift into lower gear (if necessary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the engine braking effect and prevent overheating of your vehicle's brakes. Do not make sudden downshifts.
When driving uphill in hot weather, the air conditioner may turn off automatically to protect the engine from overheating.
When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to the following indicators because the engine and transmission are relatively prone to overheating.

Coolant temperature high warning light

AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models)

If the coolant temperature high warning light and/or the AT OILTEMP warning light illuminates, immediately turn off the air conditioner and stop the vehicle in the nearest safe location. For further instructions and additional information, refer to the following sections.

"If you park your vehicle in case of an emergency" F9-2
"Engine overheating" F9-12
"Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light" F3-17

"AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models)" F3-19

For CVT models, avoid using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to overheat.

Driving with a trailer

You should allow for considerably more stopping distance when towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may result in skidding or jackknifing and loss of control. Avoid abrupt s ...

Parking on a grade

Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You should not park on a hill or slope. If parking on a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you sh ...

Other materials:

Preparation tool
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Safety precautions
WARNING Bulbs may become very hot while illuminated. Before replacing bulbs, turn off the lights and wait until the bulbs cool down. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining a burn injury. For models with HID low beam headlights, observe the following precautions. Not doing so carries the ...

Third-row seats
In the Subaru Ascent, all third-row seating positions are equipped with head restraints designed to enhance passenger protection and comfort. These head restraints can be adjusted easily to ensure proper support and optimal safety during travel. When not used (retracted position) When ...