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Bug512 · 03-18-2016, 06:49 PM

http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/102...S071315_14.pdf

This is for a 2016 Forester X, Page 16 "Towing with all wheels on the ground"

I do not see any limitation on speed or distance for a manual transmission.

I have a 2011 Forester and the owners manual states the same thing.

sjbradshaw · 03-19-2016, 09:34 AM

We had just settled on the 2.5i Premium Forester manual transmission when the 2016 towing guide came out. I contact the folks who published the new 2016 dingy towing guide and they used a recent post on the Subaru website as their justification for not including the Subarus on their 2016 list of vehicles that could be flat towed.

"What recommendations does Subaru have about towing my vehicle behind a motor home?

Please follow the recommendations outlined in the Owner's Manual if there is a need to tow a Subaru vehicle. The best way to transport your vehicle is a flatbed tow truck with ALL wheels off the ground. Always follow the precautions and recommendations outlined in the Owner's Manual if flat towing with all wheels on the ground is unavoidable in an emergency situation."

The first time I called Subaru I was told I could flat tow. After getting the above information from the dingy guide, another customer service representative from Subaru said they are now not recommending towing unless it is an emergency situation. She indicated that there have been no major modifications to the Forester from previous years that caused this change but that the company was just trying to provide some clarification on the subject.

Wondering since there have been no changes if this is just a liability concern on their part.

Anyone have anything else on this? I still want the Forester.

jackfish · 03-19-2016, 04:59 PM

Don't worry and tow it. Lawyers at work. The 2016 FMCA dinghy guide lists six manual transmission Subaru models as four down towable.

franktr · 03-29-2016, 10:35 AM

I bought a 2016 WRX in Oct. before I purchased the Subrau I sent a email to Subrau corporate asking if I can flat tow this car. The reply was yes if it is a manual transmission. I read here that a guy want a WRX STI the dealer said no tow as it was push button start. My car is push button start. Subrau offered to take my car back for a key start. I ask if this car an be flat towed and I was told no 2016 Subrau can be towed. The reason??? They have not tested it??? They are buying my car back, what ever that means.

vettenuts · 04-18-2016, 04:35 PM

I remain confused on this. I have also read both the 2013 and the 2016 owner's manual, section 9 on emergency towing. They remain word for word the same. Also, a question about towing behind a motorhome asked to Suburu on their web site received an answer to "follow the owners manual ".

Does anyone know the real answer here? Most of the used 2013 Crosstreks I have looked at are very close in price to a brand new one, but if the new ones aren't supposed to be towed I may just move to a Jeep.

Bug512 · 04-18-2016, 06:29 PM

Sorry to hear that you can't get a great answer. For what it's worth we have towed a 09 and now a 11 without any issues.

dnystrom · 04-18-2016, 06:43 PM

If your Subaru is a MANUAL transmission 5 speed it will tow just fine any speed.
No Subaru with an AUTOMATIC transmission should be towed. Trailer only.
Now, Subaru is not offering manual transmissions for the outback and forester in the U.S.
You can buy one in Canada though.

franktr · 04-18-2016, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnystrom

If your Subaru is a MANUAL transmission 5 speed it will tow just fine any speed.
No Subaru with an AUTOMATIC transmission should be towed. Trailer only.
Now, Subaru is not offering manual transmissions for the outback and forester in the U.S.
You can buy one in Canada though.

i have had many conversation with the corporate office about my WRX 2016 with a manual transmission and they say the same as you it will tow fine but, no warranty. They said it would be Ok in an email before I purchased the car but after I questioned the push button start corporate went back to Japan and the answer was emergency only. They offered to trade for key start car but again no warranty. Thus they took back the car after 4500 miles and paid for my out of pocket expenses and payed off the car. I loved the car but did not want to take a chance. Subrau was more than fair with me.

vettenuts · 04-19-2016, 05:28 AM

But it is not in the 2016 Dingy Guide and there must be a reason for this as stated above. I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money and have Suburu throw out my warranty. Not worth the risk.

TBray · 04-19-2016, 10:04 PM

We have a 2011 Outback which I knew wasn't towable. I talked to the Subaru dealer last fall about getting something towable and was informed that the only way to tow a Subaru was on a trailer.

So much for getting a new one. A new Jeep Wrangler is now in the driveway.