Subaru Forester 2019-2023 Owners Manual / Driving tips / Trailer towing / Connecting a trailer / Trailer safety chains

Subaru Forester: Connecting a trailer / Trailer safety chains

WARNING

Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer. Towing trailer without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch ball damage.

In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch ball should break or become disconnected, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard.

For safety, always connect the towing vehicle and trailer with trailer safety chains. Two chains should be used in total, one to the right side and the other to the left side trailer tongue. Pass the chains crossing each other under the trailer tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping onto the ground in case the trailer tongue should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking tight turn situations into account; however, be careful not to let them drag on the ground.

Trailer brakes

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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...

Other information:

Subaru Forester 2019-2023 Owners Manual: Warning and indicator lights

Seatbelt warning light / Front passenger’s seatbelt warning light Rear seatbelt warning light SRS airbag system warning light Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light Coolant temperature low indicator light / Coolant temperature high warning light Charge warning light Oil pressure warning light Engine low oil level warning light AT OIL TEMP warning light ABS warning light Brake system warning light (red) Electronic parking brake indicator light Door open warning light Engine hood open warning light AWD warning light Power steering warning light Auto Vehicle Hold ON indicator light Auto Vehicle Hold operation indicator light Depress brake indicator light (if equipped) Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light Turn signal indicator lights LED headlight warning light High beam indicator light High beam assist indicator light (if equipped) Automatic headlight beam leveler warning light Steering Responsive Headlight warning light/Steering Responsive Headlight OFF indicator light Front fog light indicator light (if equipped) Access key warning indicator light (if equipped) Security indicator light Sport (S) mode indicator (if equipped) Intelligent (I) mode indicator (if equipped) Sport Sharp (S#) mode indicator (if equipped) Headlight indicator light (if equipped) Cruise control indicator light (if equipped) Cruise control set indicator light (if equipped) X-MODE indicator light (if equipped) Hill descent control indicator light (if equipped) Low fuel warning light Low tire pressure warning light (U...

Subaru Forester 2019-2023 Owners Manual: Maintenance

Carry some emergency equipment, such as a window scraper, a bag of sand, flares, a small shovel and jumper cables. Check the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity. The battery must be in good condition to provide enough power for cold winter starts...