Subaru Forester 2023 Loading your Vehicle Base

It’s simple to load your 2023 Subaru Forester in base configuration, which is designed to meet a range of passenger and freight requirements. Because of its large and adaptable storage area and flat-folding rear seat, the base model Forester offers plenty of space for both passengers and cargo inside. Larger item loading is simplified, and many storage compartments and rear seatback pockets improve organization. The Forester is a practical and dependable option for a variety of activities. Its user-friendly design and versatile cargo capacity ensure that your loading and transport needs are met with ease and efficiency, whether you’re going on a family road trip or just doing errands.

2023 Subaro Forester Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)

The Subaru Forester 2023 is a versatile and practical SUV that offers plenty of cargo space for all your belongings. Here’s an introduction to loading your vehicle:

The Forester 2023 comes with a spacious cargo area that can accommodate up to 76.1 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded down. To load your vehicle, follow these simple steps:

1. Clear the area around your vehicle and ensure that the ground is level.
2. If you’re carrying heavy or bulky items, it’s recommended to use the cargo tray or a protective liner to protect the cargo area.
3. Open the rear liftgate and fold down the rear seats if needed to create more space.
4. Load your items into the cargo area, being sure to distribute the weight evenly to ensure stability while driving.
5. For larger items that may require additional clearance, adjust the cargo area height by lowering the cargo floor.
6. Secure your items with tie-downs or cargo nets to prevent them from moving around while driving.

It’s important to keep in mind that the maximum weight capacity for the Forester 2023 is 1,500 pounds, including passengers and cargo. Overloading the vehicle can affect its handling and stability, so it’s important to adhere to the weight capacity and load your items safely and securely.

Loading your vehicle

WARNING

•  Never allow passengers to ride on a folded rear seatback in the cargo area. Doing so may result in serious injury.
•  Never stack luggage or other cargo higher than the top of the seatback because it could tumble forward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Keep luggage or cargo low, as close to the floor as possible.
  

  

WARNING

• When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can to prevent it from being thrown around inside the vehicle during sudden stops, sharp turns or in an accident.
• Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. These loads raise the vehicle’s center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. If the wheels are stuck, cutting the.
• steering wheel at a sharp angle may cause the steering components to be deformed. If you hear any abnormal noise while driving or if you notice any abnormalities due to rough running, contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.
• Avoid driving over curbs. Tires, wheels, suspensions, and the mechanical components under the vehicle body may be unnoticeably damaged by the impact of striking a curb or driving on a rough road. If driving over a curb is unavoidable, ride over it slowly and at a right angle to the curb. When parking your vehicle, make sure that the tires are not pressed against the curb.
• Do not drive for a long time while the vehicle is tilted to the left or right.

CAUTION
Do not carry spray cans, containers with flammable or corrosive liquids, or any other dangerous items inside the vehicle.

NOTE
For better fuel economy, do not carry unneeded cargo.

Vehicle capacity weight

Vehicle placard

The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum load you can carry in your vehicle is shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar. It includes the total weight of the driver and all passengers and their belongings, any optional equipment such as a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the tongue load of a trailer.

GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating)

Certification label

The certification label attached to the bottom of the driver’s side door pillar shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of weight of the vehicle, fuel, driver, all passengers, luggage, any optional equipment, and trailer tongue load. Therefore, the GVW changes depending on the situation. The GVWR equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle – including standard equipment, fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire assembly) plus the vehicle capacity weight. In addition, the total weight applied to each axle (GAW) must never exceed the GAWR. The front and rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating luggage inside the vehicle. Even if the total weight of your luggage is lower than the vehicle capacity weight, either front or rear GAW may exceed the GAWR, depending on the distribution of the luggage. When possible, the load should be evenly distributed throughout the vehicle. If you carry heavy loads in the vehicle, you should confirm that GVW and front and rear GAWs are within the GVWR and GAWR by putting your vehicle on a vehicle scale, found at a commercial weighing station. Do not use replacement tires with a lower load range than the originals because they may lower the GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher load range than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.

Roof rails (if equipped)

Cargo can be carried on the roof after securing the crossbars to the roof rails and installing an appropriate carrying attachment. When installing crossbars and a carrying attachment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The roof rail system is designed to carry loads (cargo, crossbars, and carrying attachments) of no more than 176 lbs (80 kg). Be sure not to exceed your vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR.

CAUTION

•  When using a carrying attachment, make sure that the total carrying load of the cargo, cross-bars, and carrying attachment does not exceed 176 lbs (80 kg). Overloading may cause damage to the vehicle. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and pay attention to not exceeding the load limit of the parts.
• For cargo-carrying purposes, the roof rails must be used together with the SUBARU recommended crossbars and any appropriate carrying attachment that may be needed. The roof rails must never be used alone to carry cargo. Otherwise, damage to the roof or paint, or a dangerous road hazard due to loss of cargo could result.

NOTE
Remember that the vehicle’s center of gravity is altered with the weight of the load on the roof, thus affecting driving characteristics. Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, hard cornering, and abrupt stops. Crosswind effects will be increased.

Roof tent (models with roof rails)

WARNING
Adding weight to the vehicle’s roof can adversely affect handling, braking, and rollover resistance. The vehicle must never be driven with a total roof rail load in excess of 176 lbs (80 kg).

CAUTION

• The roof rail load limit for stationary vehicles (700 lbs (317 kg) (for Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) ( f o r S u b a r u F o r e s t e r Wilderness)) applies only when the vehicle is parked and the load is evenly distributed left/right and front/rear and the roof crossbars and roof tent are tightly secured to the vehicle. If these conditions are not met, the load limit will be lower.
• The maximum load limit of the roof crossbars must be obtained from the manufacturer or retailer of the roof rack. When driving the vehicle, the maximum roof rail load is 176 lbs (80 kg) or the crossbar load limit (whichever is lower).
• The maximum load limit of the roof crossbars must be obtained from the manufacturer or retailer of the roof rack. When driving the vehicle, the maximum roof rail load is 176 lbs (80 kg) or the crossbar load limit (whichever is lower).
• Roof tents can only be used on vehicles originally equipped with roof rails. Otherwise, damage to the vehicle’s roof may occur.

On vehicles equipped with roof rails, roof tents may be used under certain conditions at your own risk.

When driving the vehicle
The total weight on the roof rails, including the roof crossbars and roof tent, must not exceed the vehicle’s roof rail load of 176 l bs (80 kg), evenly distributed.

•  Roof rails
• Roof crossbars
• C: Roof tent
• B + C < 176 l bs (80 kg)

When the vehicle is parked on level ground

• Roof rails
• Roof crossbars
• Roof tent
• Occupants in the roof tent

The total weight on the roof rails –including the roof crossbars, roof tent, and all occupants and contents in the roof tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg) (for Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) (for Subaru Forester Wilderness)), evenly distributed, or the load limit of the roof crossbars, whichever is lower.

The load limit of the roof rail (A). Forester: B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg)

Subaru Forester Wilderness: B + C + D < 800 lbs (360 kg)
Exceeding this load limit could cause damage to the vehicle or racking system. The vehicle must never be driven with occupants in the roof tent. Before the vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo must be removed from the roof tent and the roof rail load must be restored to within the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg). Refer to the user manual that accompanied the roof tent for important safety information and instructions on the proper installation and use of the tent.

Trailer hitch (dealer option)

• Never exceed the maximum weight specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident
  resulting in serious personal injuries. Permissible trailer weight changes depending on the situation.
• Trailer brakes are required when the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer has safety chains and that each chain will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. Towing trailers without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch ball damage.
• Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin for positive locking placement before towing a trailer. If the ball mount comes off the hitch receiver, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard.
• Although towing regulations for trailer or caravan vehicles vary by state/region, all regulations agree that specifications such
  as the maximum gross trailer weight must not exceed the lesser of the following:
  • Maximum gross trailer weight
  •  Maximum gross tongue weight
  •  GVWR
  •  GAWR
• Failure to comply with the procedures set forth will not only compromise your safety but will also negate your insurance coverage and/or may violate the state road and traffic acts and regulations.
• Use only the recommended SUBARU ball mount that has been designed to work with this trailer hitch. Use the hitch only as
  a weight-carrying hitch. Do not use with any type of weight-distributing hitch.
•  The standard bumper beam must be installed after you remove the trailer hitch. Consult a SUBARU dealer for the purchase of a standard bumper beam if you do not have the original.
•  Safety performance is decreased and there is an increased risk of injury to passengers in the case of an accident if the trailer hitch or a standard bumper beam is not installed. One of them must always be installed on the vehicle.
• If a trailer hitch is installed, it is not possible to install the rear towing hook. The maximum gross trailer weight and
  maximum gross tongue weight is indicated in the following table.

When towing a trailer with brakes

	Maximum gross trailer weight	Maximum gross tongue weight
Except for the Subaru Forester Wilderness	1,500 lbs (680 kg)	150 lbs (68 kg)
For Subaru Forester Wilderness	3,000 l bs (1,360 kg)	300 l bs (136 kg)

When towing a trailer without brakes

Maximum gross trailer weight	Maximum gross tongue weight
1,000 lbs (453 kg)	150 lbs (68 kg)

Connecting a trailer

1.  Ball mount
2.  Hitch pin
3.  Safety pin
4. Hitch receiver tube

1.  Insert the ball mount into the hitch receiver tube.
2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole located on the hitch receiver tube so that the pin passes through the ball mount.
3. Insert the safety pin through the provided hole on the hitch pin securely.
   
4. Check the ball mount assembly by pulling on it to make sure it does not come off the hitch receiver.
   1. Hitch ball installation point
   2.  Hooks for safety chains
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate for the ball mount and your trailer. The hitch ball must be securely installed on the ball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitchball
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with safety chains that will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. The chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping onto the ground in case it disconnects 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.
   WARNING
   Do not connect safety chains to any part of the vehicle other than the safety chain hooks.
   Hitch harness connector
8.  Connect the hitch electrical wire harness’s black four-pin electrical wire connector to the towing trailer’s wire harness.
9. Confirm the proper function of the hitch electrical wire harness by individually and combination activating the brake, stop, and turn signal lights on the trailer.

NOTE

Always disconnect the trailer’s electrical wire harness before launching or retrieving a watercraft.
 If not towing a trailer

• Remove the ball mount from the hitch receiver tube.
•  Place the dust cap over the four-pin connector of the hitch electrical wire harness to protect against possible
  damage.
•  Occasionally lubricate the terminals of the four-pin connector using terminal grease.

FAQ

What is the maximum cargo capacity of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The maximum cargo capacity of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

How much weight can the Subaru Forester 2023 carry?
The maximum payload capacity of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 1,500 pounds.

Can the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023 be folded down?
Yes, the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023 can be folded down to increase cargo space.

What is the weight limit for the roof rack of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The weight limit for the roof rack of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 176 pounds.

Can the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 be accessed from the rear of the vehicle?
Yes, the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 can be accessed from the rear of the vehicle by opening the liftgate.

What is the cargo volume behind the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The cargo volume behind the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 31.1 cubic feet.

What is the cargo floor length of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The cargo floor length of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 75.7 inches.

What is the cargo width between the wheel arches of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The cargo width between the wheel arches of the Subaru Forester 2023 is 43.3 inches.

Does the Subaru Forester 2023 come with a cargo cover?
Yes, the Subaru Forester 2023 comes with a cargo cover to protect your cargo from sunlight and theft.

How many tie-down points are there in the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023?
The Subaru Forester 2023 has four tie-down points in the cargo area to secure your cargo.

Can the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023 recline?
Yes, the rear seats of the Subaru Forester 2023 can recline for added comfort.

Does the Subaru Forester 2023 have a power liftgate?
Yes, the Subaru Forester 2023 has a power liftgate that can be opened and closed using a button on the key fob or on the liftgate itself.

Can the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 be illuminated?
Yes, the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 can be illuminated by a light located in the liftgate.

Is there a spare tire in the Subaru Forester 2023?
Yes, the Subaru Forester 2023 comes with a spare tire and a jack for changing a flat tire.

Can the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 be easily cleaned?
Yes, the cargo area of the Subaru Forester 2023 can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or vacuumed with a handheld vacuum.

Useful Links

View Full User Guide: Subaru Forester 2023 Base User Guide

Download Manuals: https://www.subaru.com/owners/vehicle-resources/manuals.htm

2023 Subaro Forester Specs, Price, Features, Mileage (Brochure)