2013 Subaru Outback?

[Lstyles]

Manual says it can’t be towed either by front or rear two wheels but says it can be towed 4 down however it can’t be towed at greater than 20 mph or for more than 31 miles....otherwise it says to use flat bed truck. Does that really mean there is no way to tow 4 down?
Thanks
Lori

[A32Deuce]

That's what is sounds like to me. If that is what the owners manual says, then that is what it is.

[baraff]

Manual, Automatic, or CVT?
I know Subaru AWD cars cannot be towed unless all four wheels are on the ground. Our 5 speed manual transmission 2012 Impreza can be towed four down with no problems. I even have an email from Subaru verifying that. I had sent an email before I bought it, it was the deciding factor in my purchase.
Dead simple. Brake off, key turned to release steering wheel, gearshift in neutral.
We've towed it four down over 30,000 miles since new. No problems.

[rgl]

We tow a 14 Outback with manual trans four down, no problem but you would not want a tow truck to pull it with 2 wheels up!

[scbwr]

If that's what the manual says, then I would say it can't be used as a tow car. Contact Subaru if you want to verify that information.

[Lstyles]

It’s a CVT per the window sticker. Yes it’s quite clear you can’t tow it on two wheels (whether front or back). What I find curious is that it’s says you can tow it 4 down but only a few miles and at low speed...don’t understand that??

[baraff]

Originally Posted by Lstyles

It’s a CVT per the window sticker. Yes it’s quite clear you can’t tow it on two wheels (whether front or back). What I find curious is that it’s says you can tow it 4 down but only a few miles and at low speed...don’t understand that??

I'm not sure exactly why but automatics and I assume CVTs use a pump to keep things lubricated properly. Probably ok to tow for short distances in an emergency but not for a long period of time. Manuals are presumably disengaged when in neutral so little if nothing is turning.
My best guess and probably not 100% accurate but I think that is the gist of it.
I would most definitely follow the owners' manual instructions.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by Lstyles

Manual says it can’t be towed either by front or rear two wheels but says it can be towed 4 down however it can’t be towed at greater than 20 mph or for more than 31 miles....otherwise it says to use flat bed truck. Does that really mean there is no way to tow 4 down?
Thanks
Lori

You do not state if your Subi has an auto/cvt trans or a manual trans.
If it's an auto/cvt, it CANNOT be towed at all, either 4 down or on a dolly, or front or rear wheels off ground. It will ruin the trans and all wheel drive system. The emergency procedure as to towning a auto/cvt equipped Subi at low speed/low mileage are just that, for the auto/cvt models.
Manual trans, it can be towed 4 down ONLY, or on a flatbed. Manual trans Subi's can be towed 4 down with no speed or distance restrictions.
Have owned 6 Subi;s since 1995, including current wife's 2010 Outback with cvt, and 2013 Subi Crosstrek, manual trans. Have towed the Crosstrek near 40,000 miles with no problems at all.
Towing procedure is very simple...ignition to first ACC. position, emergency brake off, trans in neutral. Thats it...your ready to go.
Just remember...
auto/cvt trans...must flatbed vehicle.
manual trans....4 down OR flatbed vehicle.
Neither can be towed on a dolly or by wrecker with front OR rear axle off ground.
Grumpy