2012 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 382

8-12 Driving tips caused to your vehicle by use of a traction device is not covered under warranty. Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class S device, and use it on the front wheels only. Always use the utmost care when driving with a traction device. Overconfidence because you are using a traction device could easily lead to a serious accident. Loading your vehicle WARNING Never allow passengers to ride on a folded rear seatback or in the cargo area. Doing so may result in serious injury in the event of a sudden stop, sharp turn or an accident. . . & Rocking the vehicle If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and move the shift lever/select lever back and forth between "1"/"D" and "R" repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the best possible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when trying to free the vehicle. When the road surface is extremely slippery, you can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT). If your vehicle is an AT model, for information about holding the transmission in the 2nd position, refer to "Selection of manual mode" F7-19. . . WARNING . Never stack luggage or other cargo higher than the top of the seatback because it could tumble forward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Keep luggage or cargo low, as close to the floor as possible. When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can to prevent it from being thrown around inside the vehicle during sudden stops, sharp turns or in an accident. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. These loads raise the vehicle's center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. Secure long items properly to prevent them from shooting forward and causing serious injury during a sudden stop. Never exceed the maximum load limit. If you do, some parts on your vehicle can break, or the driveability of your vehicle may be adversely affected. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.