Trailer Towing Tips - Subaru Ascent 2023 Manual

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Trailer towing
! Side mirrors
After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,
check that the standard side mirrors
provide a good rearward field of view
without significant blind spots. If significant
blind spots occur with the vehicle's stan-
dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that
conform with Federal, state/province and/
or other applicable regulations.
! Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improper
connection of trailer lights may
damage your vehicle's electrical
system and cause a malfunction of
your vehicle's lighting system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehicle's
electrical system requires modifications to
the vehicle's lighting circuit to increase its
capacity and accommodate wiring
changes. To ensure the trailer lights are
connected properly, please consult your
SUBARU dealer. Check for proper opera-
tion of the turn signals and the brake lights
each time you connect a trailer to your
vehicle.
! Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tempor-
ary spare tire is used. The temporary
spare tire is not designed to sustain
the towing load. Use of the tempor-
ary spare tire when towing can result
in failure of the spare tire and/or less
stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle
are properly inflated. Refer to "Tires"
�P526.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer's
specifications. Also check federal, state,
province and/or other applicable regula-
tions.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire
when towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representative or profes-
sional to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your
vehicle or trailer as a precaution against
getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare tire
is firmly secured.
& Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
. For models equipped with the
BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
driving support systems, when
towing a trailer, touch "BSD/
RCTA" to deactivate the system.
The system may not operate
properly due to the blocked radar
waves. For details about how to
turn on/off the BSD/RCTA, refer
to "Car settings" �P215.
. For models equipped with Re-
verse Automatic Braking (RAB)
system, consult your SUBARU
dealer for additional information
about towing a trailer.
. Towing a trailer in high tempera-
tures, or on long or steep grades,