2006 Subaru Impreza Owner's Manual - Page 233

8-6 Driving tips Off road driving 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. Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving an All-Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident. Do not drive on rough roads or over curbs in a vehicle that has 17-inch or other ultra-low-profile tires. The wheels and tires could be damaged by shock forces, leading to abnormal vibration or poor straight-line tracking. Driving would then be more difficult. Your AWD vehicle is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger vehicle designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD feature gives it some limited off-road capabilities in situations in which driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and otherwise similar to on-road driving conditions. Operating it under other than those conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive stress which might result in damage not eligible for repair under warranty. If you do take your SUBARU off road, you should review the common sense precautions in the next section (applicable to the OUTBACK SPORT) for general guidance. But please keep in mind that your vehicle’s off-road capabilities are more limited than those of the OUTBACK SPORT. Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles, or roads flooded with water. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. Your Subaru can be driven on ordinary All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that an AWD SUBARU is a passenger vehicle and is neither a conventional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do take your Subaru off-road, certain common sense precautions such as the following should be taken: OUTBACK SPORT Make certain that you and all of your passengers are wearing seatbelts. Carry some emergency equipment, such as a towing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit and cell phone or citizens band radio. Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain. Slow down and employ extra caution at all times. When driving off-road, you will not have the benefit of marked traffic lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and the like. Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead, drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. A vehicle can much more easily tip over sideways than it can end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes that are too steep. Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, especially at higher speeds. Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive