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Normph's avatar
Normph
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016

2016 Subaru Forester flat tow

Can a 2016 Subaru Forester with manual transmission be towed with all wheels on the ground?
Thanx
  • Yes !!!!!

    We have towed a manual Subaru for over 30k miles. The M&G brake system is an easy install.

    I took the ignition lock out so I wouldn't have to deal with keys in the ignition.

    GREAT vehicle for a tow car.
  • Bobbo wrote:
    Ignition NOT on.
    Ignition on accessory.


    Maybe there was a change from previous years :H

    Per 2016 Forester Owners Manual...Towing 4 down

    1. Release the parking brake and put the transmission in the “N”/neutral position.
    2. The ignition switch should be in the “ON” position while the vehicle is being towed.
    3. Take up slack in the towline slowly to prevent damage to the vehicle
  • yes, we like towing out subie. we turn our key to the first positions to unlock the steering. I installed a blue ox baseplate and Ready Brute Elite tow bar/ brake.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Bobbo wrote:
    Ignition NOT on.
    Ignition on accessory.


    Maybe there was a change from previous years :H

    Per 2016 Forester Owners Manual...Towing 4 down

    1. Release the parking brake and put the transmission in the “N”/neutral position.
    2. The ignition switch should be in the “ON” position while the vehicle is being towed.
    3. Take up slack in the towline slowly to prevent damage to the vehicle

    Maybe there WAS a change in later years :H

    Per 2010 Forester Owners Manual...Towing with all wheels on the ground

    1. Release the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral.
    2. The ignition switch should be in the "Acc" position while the vehicle is being towed.
    3. Take up slack in the towline slowly to prevent damage to the vehicle.
  • You can wire in a switch some are sold by camping world as I did on our 2014 Honda CR-V it says drive or tow put it in tow mode no fuses to remove, fit right in the dash.
  • tazman1953 wrote:
    You can wire in a switch some are sold by camping world as I did on our 2014 Honda CR-V it says drive or tow put it in tow mode no fuses to remove, fit right in the dash.

    What would you hook the switch to?
    The purpose of turning the key to on/acc is to unlock the steering column. A switch won't do that.