2016 Subaru Forester

Welcome to the forum. Putting your car in accessory or the on position - isn't that the same thing? And you put this in the towing section as though you were going to ask about towing something. I'm pretty sure you are talking about using the new car as a toad/dingy.

Two Hands wrote:
Putting your car in accessory or the on position - isn't that the same thing?

No, on many cars "on" is the position the key is in when the engine is running. Turning the key to "acc" will shut the engine down but leave steering unlocked and power to accessories such as the radio, etc. Having said that, the owners manual is the final authority for towing, not what the dealer says.

Follow the printed manual to retain any warranty.

Many (if not most) dealer personnel know absolutely nothing about towing a vehicle behind a motor home.
NOTHING!!!
The Owners Manual has the instructions that the MANUFACTURER feels are necessary.
Follow the instructions in the book!

rjstractor wrote:
the owners manual is the final authority for towing, not what the dealer says.

Perhaps the dealer is right and the owners manual is wrong. There may very well be a Technical Service Bulletin that provides these newer instructions and was issued after the manual was printed.

Neutral - yes
Acc position - yes
Start every 500 miles - not necessary, but won't hurt anything if it makes you feel better.

I have towed my 2010 Subaru Forester 2,000 miles at a stretch without even once starting it.

If it is new with the 2016, and is not in the manual, I would ask to see the service bulletin that calls for that.

DownTheAvenue wrote:

rjstractor wrote:
the owners manual is the final authority for towing, not what the dealer says.

Perhaps the dealer is right and the owners manual is wrong. There may very well be a Technical Service Bulletin that provides these newer instructions and was issued after the manual was printed.

The dealers are the worst people for information, so much wrong information floating around. I went in and asked for the curb weight of the crosstrek and they said, "what's that". Call Subaru if you're worried.

The manual for the 2016 says only the following, "Towing with all wheels on the ground 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.
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