2012 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 376

8-6 Driving tips conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in handling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sudden braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. . Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive. The recommended tire pressure is provided on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver 's side. . Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle in hard driving conditions such as steep hills or dusty roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that specified in the "Warranty and Maintenance Booklet". . There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your vehicle. For detail information, refer to "Towing" F9-14. On-road and off-road driving WARNING . In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. You the driver and all your passengers should fasten the seatbelts before starting to drive in order to minimize the chance of serious injury or death. . Do not make sharp turns and quick maneuvers unless absolutely unavoidable. Such actions are dangerous as you may lose control, possibly resulting in a rollover which could cause death or serious injury. . Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden braking or under other similar conditions. . Whenever strong crosswinds are present, slow down sufficiently to maintain control of your vehicle. Remember that your vehicle, with its higher profile and center of gravity, is more likely to be affected by crosswinds than ordinary passenger cars. . Always use the utmost care in driving - overconfidence because you are driving an AllWheel Drive model could easily lead to a serious accident. Your vehicle is classified as a utility vehicle. Utility vehicles feature a higher ground clearance which enables them to be used for wide applications including offroad driving. But please keep in mind that your vehicle is neither a conventional offroad vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. 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