Subaru FORESTER XT 2012 Owner's Manual
Foreword
Congratulations on choosing a SUBARU vehicle. This Owner’s
Manual has all the information necessary to keep your SUBARU in
excellent condition and to properly maintain the emission control
system for minimizing emission pollutants. We urge you to read
this manual carefully so that you may understand your vehicle and
its operation. For information not found in this Owner’s Manual,
such as details concerning repairs or adjustments, please contact
the dealer from whom you purchased your SUBARU or the nearest
SUBARU dealer.
The information, specifications and illustrations found in this
manual are those in effect at the time of printing. FUJI HEAVY
INDUSTRIES LTD. reserves the right to change specifications and
designs at any time without prior notice and without incurring any
obligation to make the same or similar changes on vehicles
previously sold. This Owner’s Manual applies to all models and
covers all equipment, including factory installed options. Some
explanations, therefore may be for equipment not installed in your
vehicle.
Please leave this manual in the vehicle at the time of resale. The
next owner will need the information found herein.
FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD., TOKYO, JAPAN
is a registered trademark of FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
C
*
copyright 2007 FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
This manual describes the following vehicle types.*
* The illustrated vehicle is one of the FORESTER series.
1
Warranties
& Warranties for U.S.A.
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by
Subaru of America, Inc. and sold at retail
by an authorized SUBARU dealer in the
United States come with the following
warranties:
. SUBARU Limited Warranty
. Emission Control Systems Warranty
. Emissions Performance Warranty
All warranty information, including details
of coverage and exclusions, is in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet” .
Please read these warranties carefully.
& Warranties for Canada
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by
Subaru Canada, Inc. and sold at retail by
an authorized SUBARU dealer in Canada
come with the following warranties:
. SUBARU Limited Warranty
. Anti-Corrosion Warranty
. Emission Control Warranty
All warranty information, including details
of coverage and exclusions, is in the
Warranty and Service Booklet. Please
read these warranties carefully.
! Vehicle with HID headlights
CAUTION
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights contain mercury. For that
reason, it is necessary to remove
HID headlights before vehicle disposal. Once removed, please reuse,
recycle or dispose of the HID headlights as hazardous waste.
! Vehicle without HID headlights
CAUTION
This vehicle does not contain mercury devices or parts.
How to use this Owner’s
Manual
& Using your Owner’s Manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully
read this manual. To protect yourself and
extend the service life of your vehicle,
follow the instructions in this manual.
Failure to observe these instructions may
result in serious injury and damage to your
vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen
chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief
table of contents, so you can usually tell at
a glance if that chapter contains the
information you want.
Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS
airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the
seat and seatbelt and contains precautions for the SRS airbags.
Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate
the keys, locks and windows.
Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of instrument panel indicators and
how to use the instruments and other
switches.
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2
Chapter 4: Climate Control
This chapter informs you how to operate
the climate control.
Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate
your audio system.
Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate
interior equipment.
Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and
operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your
SUBARU in various conditions and explains some safety tips on driving.
Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you
have a problem while driving, such as a
flat tire or engine overheating.
Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your
SUBARU looking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need
to take your SUBARU to the dealer for
scheduled maintenance and informs you
how to keep your SUBARU running
properly.
Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimension
and capacities of your SUBARU.
Chapter 13: Consumer information and
Reporting safety defects
This chapter informs you about Uniform
tire quality grading standards and Reporting safety defects.
Chapter 14: Index
This is an alphabetical listing of all that’sin
this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
& Safety warnings
You will find a number of WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs and NOTEs in this manual.
These safety warnings alert you to potential hazards that could result in injury to
you or others.
Please read these safety warnings as well
as all other portions of this manual carefully in order to gain a better understanding of how to use your SUBARU vehicle
safely.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious injury or death could
result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which injury or damage to your
vehicle, or both, could result if the
caution is ignored.
NOTE
A NOTE gives information or suggestions how to make better use of your
vehicle.
& Safety symbol
You will find a circle with a slash through it
in this manual. This symbol means “Do
not”, “Do not do this”,or“Do not let this
happen”, depending upon the context.
3
Vehicle symbols
There are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle.
Mark Name
WARNING
CAUTION
Power door lock
Passengers’ windows lock
Fuel
Front fog lights
Parking lights
Hazard warning flasher
Engine hood
Mark Name
Seat heater
Child restraint top tether anchorages
Child restraint lower anchorages
Horn
Windshield wiper deicer
Wiper intermittent
Windshield washer
Windshield wiper mist (for
single wipe)
Rear window wiper
Rear window washer
Lights
Mark Name
Parking lights, tail lights, license plate light and instrument panel illumination
Headlights
Headlight beam leveler
Illumination brightness
Fan speed
Instrument panel outlets
Instrument panel outlets and
foot outlets
Foot outlets
Windshield defroster and foot
outlets
Windshield defroster
Outside mirror defogger
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4
Mark Name
Rear window defogger
Air recirculation
Engine oil
Washer
Door lock (Transmitter)
Door unlock (Transmitter)
Safety precautions when
driving
& Seatbelt and SRS airbag
WARNING
. All persons in the vehicle should
fasten their seatbelts BEFORE
the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of serious
injury becomes greater in the
event of a sudden stop or accident.
. To obtain maximum protection in
the event of an accident, the
driver and all passengers in the
vehicle should always wear seatbelts when the vehicle is moving.
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) airbag does not do away
with the need to fasten seatbelts.
In combination with the seatbelts, it offers the best combined
protection in case of a serious
accident.
Not wearing a seatbelt increases
the chance of severe injury or
death in a crash even when the
vehicle has the SRS airbag.
. The SRS airbags deploy with
considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper
position when the SRS airbag
deploys could suffer very serious
injuries. Because the SRS airbag
needs enough space for deployment, the driver should always
sit upright and well back in the
seat as far from the steering
wheel as practical while still
maintaining full vehicle control
and the front passenger should
move the seat as far back as
possible and sit upright and well
back in the seat.
Carefully read the sections “ Seatbelts”
and “*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag)” in chapter 1 of this Owner’s Manual for instructions and precautions concerning the seatbelt system and
SRS airbag system.
5
& Child safety
WARNING
. Never hold a child on your lap or
in your arms while the vehicle is
moving. The passenger cannot
protect the child from injury in a
collision, because the child will
be caught between the passenger and objects inside the vehicle.
. While riding in the vehicle, in-
fants and small children should
always be placed in the REAR
seat in an infant or child restraint
system which is appropriate for
the child’ s age, height and
weight. If a child is too big for a
child restraint system, the child
should sit in the REAR seat and
be restrained using the seatbelts.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions. Never allow a child
to stand up or kneel on the seat.
. Put children aged 12 and under in
the REAR seat properly restrained at all times in a child
restraint device or in a seatbelt.
The SRS airbag deploys with
considerable speed and force
and can injure or even kill children, especially if they are 12
years of age and under and are
not restrained or improperly restrained. Because children are
lighter and weaker than adults,
their risk being injured from
deployment is greater.
. NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD
FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE
FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO
THE CHILD BY PLACING THE
CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO
THE SRS AIRBAG.
. Always use the child safety locks
whenever a child rides in the rear
seat. Serious injury could result
if a child accidentally opened the
door and fell out. Refer to the
“Child safety locks” section in
chapter 2.
. Always lock the passenger’s win-
dows using the lock switch when
children are riding in the vehicle.
Failure to follow this procedure
could result in injury to a child
operating the power window. Refer to the “Windows” section in
chapter 2.
. Never leave unattended children
in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or
others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Also, on
hot or sunny days, temperature
in a closed vehicle could quickly
become high enough to cause
severe or possibly fatal injuries
to them.
Carefully read the sections “Child restraint
systems”, “*SRS airbag (Supplemental
Restraint System airbag)”, and “Seatbelts”
in chapter 1 of this Owner’s Manual for
instructions and precautions concerning
the child restraint system, seatbelt system
and SRS airbag system.
& Engine exhaust gas (Carbon
monoxide)
WARNING
. Never inhale engine exhaust gas.
Engine exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide, a colorless
and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.
. Always properly maintain the en-
gine exhaust system to prevent
engine exhaust gas from enter-
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6
ing the vehicle.
. Never run the engine in a closed
space, such as a garage, except
for the brief time needed to drive
the vehicle in or out of it.
. Avoid remaining in a parked
vehicle for a lengthy time while
the engine is running. If that is
unavoidable, then use the ventilation fan to force fresh air into
the vehicle.
. Always keep the front ventilator
inlet grille free from snow, leaves
or other obstructions to ensure
that the ventilation system always works properly.
. If at any time you suspect that
exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
. Keep the rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.
& Drinking and driving
WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Alcohol in the bloodstream delays your reaction and
impairs your perception, judgment
and attentiveness. If you drive after
drinking – even if you drink just a
little – it will increase the risk of
being involved in a serious or fatal
accident, injuring or killing yourself,
your passengers and others. In
addition, if you are injured in the
accident, alcohol may increase the
severity of that injury.
Please don’t drink and drive.
Drunken driving is one of the most
frequent causes of accidents. Since alcohol affects all people differently, you may
have consumed too much alcohol to drive
safely even if the level of alcohol in your
blood is below the legal limit. The safest
thing you can do is never drink and drive.
However if you have no choice but to
drive, stop drinking and sober up completely before getting behind the wheel.
& Drugs and driving
WARNING
There are some drugs (over the
counter and prescription) that can
delay your reaction time and impair
your perception, judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after taking
them, it may increase your, your
passengers’ and other persons’ risk
of being involved in a serious or
fatal accident.
If you are taking any drugs, check with
your doctor or pharmacist or read the
literature that accompanies the medication
to determine if the drug you are taking can
impair your driving ability. Do not drive
after taking any medications that can
make you drowsy or otherwise affect your
ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. If
you have a medical condition that requires
you to take drugs, please consult with
your doctor.
Never drive if you are under the influence
of any illicit mind-altering drugs. For your
own health and well-being, we urge you
not to take illegal drugs in the first place
and to seek treatment if you are addicted
to those drugs.
7
& Driving when tired or sleepy
WARNING
When you are tired or sleepy, your
reaction will be delayed and your
perception, judgment and attentiveness will be impaired. If you drive
when tired or sleepy, your, your
passengers’ and other persons’
chances of being involved in a
serious accident may increase.
Please do not continue to drive but
instead find a safe place to rest if you
are tired or sleepy. On long trips, you
should make periodic rest stops to refresh
yourself before continuing on your journey.
When possible, you should share the
driving with others.
& Modification of your vehicle
CAUTION
Your vehicle should not be modified
other than with genuine Subaru
parts and accessories. Other types
of modifications could affect its
performance, safety or durability,
and may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or
performance problems resulting
from modification may not be covered under warranties.
& Car phone/cell phone and
driving
CAUTION
Do not use a car phone/cell phone
while driving; it may distract your
attention from driving and can lead
to an accident. If you use a car
phone/cell phone, pull off the road
and park in a safe place before
using your phone. In some States/
Provinces, only hands-free phones
may legally be used while driving.
& Driving with pets
Unrestrained pets can interfere with your
driving and distract your attention from
driving. In a collision or sudden stop,
unrestrained pets or cages can be thrown
around inside the vehicle and hurt you or
your passengers. Besides, the pets can
be hurt under these situations. It is also for
their own safety that pets should be
properly restrained in your vehicle. Restrain a pet with a special traveling
harness which can be secured to the rear
seat with a seatbelt or use a pet carrier
which can be secured to the rear seat by
routing a seatbelt through the carrier’s
handle. Never restrain pets or pet carriers
in the front passenger’s seat. For further
information, consult your veterinarian,
local animal protection society or pet
shop.
& Tire pressures
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the spare)
at least once a month and before any long
journey.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are
cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the values shown on the
tire placard.
Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in
chapter 11 for detailed information.
WARNING
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to deform severely and to
rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in temperature could cause
tread separation, and destruction of
the tires. The resulting loss of
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8
vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
& California proposition 65
warning
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids in vehicles and
certain components of product wear
contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Table of contents
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Keys and doors
Instruments and controls
Climate control
Audio
Interior equipment
Starting and operating
Driving tips
In case of emergency
Appearance care
Maintenance and service
Specifications
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Index
13
14
10
Illustrated index
& Exterior
1) Headlight switch (page 3-20)
2) Replacing bulbs (page 11-46)
3) Engine hood (page 11-4)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-25)
5) Roof rails (page 8-13)
6) Door locks (page 2-4)
7) Tire pressure (page 11-33)
8) Flat tires (page 9-4)
9) Tire chains (page 8-10)
10) Front fog light button (page 3-24)
11) Tie-down/Towing hooks (page 9-12)
1) Rear window defogger button
(page 3-28)
2) Rear gate (page 2-20)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-17)
4) Fuel filler lid and cap (page 7-3)
5) Tie-down/Towing hook (page 9-12)
11
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12
& Interior
! Passenger compartment area
1) Lower anchorage for child restraint system (page 1-31)
2) Seatbelt (page 1-10)
3) Moonroof (page 2-21)
4) Parking brake lever (page 7-26)
5) Front seat (page 1-2)
6) Rear seat (page 1-7)
1) Cup holder (page 6-7)
2) Center console (page 6-4)
3) Glove box (page 6-4)
4) Front power supply socket (page 6-8)
5) Pocket (if equipped) (page 6-7)
AUX unit (if equipped) (page 6-8)
13
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14
& Instrument panel
1) Door locks (page 2-4)
2) Outside mirror switch (page 3-30)
3) Light control lever (page 3-20)
4) Combination meter (page 3-6)
5) Wiper control lever (page 3-24)
6) Hazard warning flasher switch (page 3-6)
7) Audio (page 5-1)
8) Gear shift lever (MT) (page 7-9)
Selector lever (AT) (page 7-11)
9) Climate control (page 4-1)
10) Cruise control (page 7-28)
11) Horn (page 3-32)
12) SRS airbag (page 1-35)
13) Tilt steering (page 3-32)
14) Fuse (page 11-43)
15) Hood lock release knob (page 11-4)
16) Power windows (page 2-18)
15
& Light control and wiper control levers/switches
1) Parking light switch (page 3-23)
2) Windshield wiper (page 3-24)
3) Mist (page 3-26)
4) Windshield washer (page 3-26)
5) Rear window wiper and washer switch
(page 3-26)
6) Wiper control lever (page 3-25)
7) Illumination brightness control
(page 3-23)
8) Light control lever (page 3-20)
9) Headlight ON/OFF (page 3-20)
10) Headlight flasher High/Low beam
change (page 3-21)
11) Turn signal (for lane change) (page 3-22)
12) Turn signal (page 3-22)
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16
& Combination meter
! U.S.-spec. models
! AT vehicles
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
8) Select lever position indicator
(page 3-17)
Type A
17
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
8) Select lever position indicator
(page 3-17)
Type B
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18
! MT vehicles
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
Type A
19
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
Type B
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20
! Canada-spec. models
! AT vehicles
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
8) Select lever position indicator
(page 3-17)
Type A
21
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
8) Select lever position indicator
(page 3-17)
Type B
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22
! MT vehicles
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
Type A
23
1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)
2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)
3) Speedometer (page 3-6)
4) Tachometer (page 3-7)
5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter
reset knob (page 3-6)
6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)
7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-9)
Type B
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24
& Warning and indicator light
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light
Front passenger’s frontal
or
airbag ON indicator light
Front passenger’s frontal
or
airbag OFF indicator light
CHECK ENGINE warning
light/Malfunction indicator
lamp
Charge warning light 3-12
Oil pressure warning light 3-12
AT OIL temperature
warning light (AT vehicles)
or ABS warning light 3-13
3-10
3-11
3-11
3-12
3-13
Mark Name Page
Brake system warning
or
light
Door open warning light 3-16
All-Wheel Drive warning
light (AT vehicles)
Low fuel warning light 3-16
Turn signal indicator lights 3-17
High beam indicator light 3-17
Security indicator light (if
equipped)
Cruise control indicator
light (if equipped)
Cruise control set indicator light (if equipped)
Vehicle Dynamics Control
operation indicator light (if
equipped)
3-15
3-16
2-4
3-19
3-19
3-16
Mark Name Page
Vehicle Dynamics Control
warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light (if equipped)
Low tire pressure warning
light (if equipped)
3-14
3-17
25
& Tire changing tools
1) Jack (page 9-15)
2) Jack handle (page 9-15)
3) Spare tire (page 9-4)
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26
& Cargo area cover
1) Cargo area cover (page 6-13)
2) Cargo tie-down hook (page 6-14)
3) Accessory power outlet (page 6-8)
4) Shopping bag hook (page 6-14)
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Front seats........................................................... 1-2
Manual seat ........................................................ 1-3
Power seat (if equipped)...................................... 1-4
Lumbar support (Driver’s seat) ............................ 1-5
Head restraint adjustment.................................... 1-6
Active head restraint ........................................... 1-6
Seat heater (if equipped) .................................... 1-7
Rear seats............................................................ 1-7
Head restraint adjustment.................................... 1-8
Folding down the rear seatback ........................... 1-9
Armrest (if equipped) ......................................... 1-10
Seatbelts ............................................................. 1-10
Seatbelt safety tips............................................. 1-10
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................... 1-11
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor
(A/ELR) ............................................................ 1-11
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 1-12
Fastening the seatbelt ........................................ 1-12
Seatbelt maintenance ......................................... 1-19
Seatbelt extender ............................................... 1-19
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................. 1-20
System monitors ................................................ 1-22
System servicing ............................................... 1-23
Precautions against vehicle modification............ 1-23
Child restraint systems ..................................... 1-24
Where to place a child restraint system .............. 1-25
Choosing a child restraint system ...................... 1-26
Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR
seatbelt ........................................................... 1-26
Installing a booster seat..................................... 1-29
Installation of child restraint systems by use of
lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) .............. 1-31
Top tether anchorages ....................................... 1-33
*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag)................................................ 1-35
Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
airbags and lap/shoulder restraints .................. 1-35
Subaru advanced frontal airbag system.............. 1-39
SRS side airbag (if equipped) ............................. 1-51
SRS airbag system monitors.............................. 1-56
SRS airbag system servicing ............................. 1-57
Precautions against vehicle modification............ 1-58
1
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