Towing and tie-down hooks/holes

The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency (e.g., to free a stuck vehicle from mud, sand or snow).

CAUTION

● Use only the specified towing hooks 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.

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

Front towing hook:

1. Take out the towing hook and screwdriver from the on board tool bucket. Take out the jack handle from the trunk (Legacy) or cargo area (Outback).

2. Pry off the cover on the front bumper using a screwdriver, and you will find


2. Pry off the cover on the front 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 the threads can no longer


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.


4. Tighten the towing hook securely using the jack handle.

After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the tool bucket. Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

● Do not use the towing hook except when 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.

Rear towing hook:

1. Take the towing hook out of the tool bucket and take the screwdriver out of the tool bucket. Take the jack handle out of the trunk (Legacy) or cargo area (Outback).

2. Pry off the cover on the rear bumper using a screwdriver, and you will find


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


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.


4. Tighten the towing hook securely using the jack handle.

After towing, remove the towing hook from the vehicle and stow it in the tool bucket. Fit the towing hook cover on the bumper.

WARNING

Do not use the towing hook except when towing your vehicle.

Front tie-down hooks:

The front tie-down hooks are located between each of the front tires and the


The front tie-down hooks are located between each of the front tires and the front bumper.

Rear tie-down holes:

1) Rear tie-down hole


1) Rear tie-down hole

The rear tie-down holes are located near each of the jack-up reinforcements.

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.

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