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Subaru Forester Tire/Wheel Questions

298 messages,  Last post on Mar 04, 2013 at 6:34 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Tires, Wheels

Messages Page 18 of 31

#167 of 298 Re: New tires for 2003 Forester [casecom2] by p0926

Jun 02, 2008 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: casecom2 (May 19, 2008 10:43 pm)
Never heard of the Exaltos so can't help you there. However, you are indeed correct that Subaru's recommend psi is to blame for your tires wearing faster on the outside edges. Subaru not surprisingly determined that a lower psi resulted in a better ride (but to the detriment of uniform treadwear). IIRC, I kepy my Geolanders at around 35 psi which was approx halfway between what Subaru recommended and the max pressure rating for that tire.
 
-Frank

#168 of 298 Re: New tires for 2003 Forester [casecom2] by eps105

Jun 06, 2008 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: casecom2 (May 19, 2008 10:43 pm)
casecom2,
 
I purchased the Pilot Exalto A/S for my '03 Forester back in 2007. See previous posting here: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0c9f5e/131
 
I live in Philadelphia and did get to throw them around in the snow a few times the last two winters.
 
Bottom line is that I have to say for the money, I'm generally disappointed. They seem to do everything average -- they're not as quiet as I thought they'd be, they don't hold corners as well as my previous Falken Ziex's (which wore too quickly), and they do OK driving on fresh snow, but I think the competence is due more to the AWD than the tires. I wouldn't feel very confident in a blizzard with these. I've even felt the wheel go numb momentarily as I began to hydroplane in a heavy rainfall.
 
The worst is that they've definitely made the ride feel slightly harsher.
 
This is partly my fault for thinking high performance all-seasons wouldn't have any negative compromise over touring tires, but if I had to do it all over again, the all-new Michelin Primacy MXV4 would be at the top of my list for the Forester, pending further research.
 
This is all relative. They're still way better than the OEM Yoko Geolanders, but I'd have been happier if they were closer to $80 a tire for my experience. On the positive side, they seem to be wearing well after ~15k miles, but I don't have any hard numbers at hand to back that up.
 
I have yet to find a tire with an ideal balance between quiet and smooth ride, good handling, and good foul weather performance. There's always a compromise.
 
Just my two cents.
 
Elliot

#169 of 298 zippy7 by zippy7

Jun 10, 2008 (9:29 am)

Just got back from a visit to repair shop and they tell me that I need to replace four tires because the two rear tires are bad either from mal alignment or pothole distress. They say I can't just replace two because it might cause transmission problems. "Gears will be working against gears." Is this true?

#170 of 298 Re: zippy7 [zippy7] by ateixeira

Jun 10, 2008 (9:48 am)

Replying to: zippy7 (Jun 10, 2008 9:29 am)
Well, the rolling circumference must be within 1/4" of each other.
 
If the tires are worn, I'd replace all 4. If they're new-ish (less than 10k miles), you can probably change just 2. I'd put the new ones on the front axle if you do that.

#171 of 298 zippy7 by zippy7

Jun 10, 2008 (11:46 am)

Does anyone know if all tires need to be replaced on a forrester, if one or more of them go bad.

#172 of 298 Re: zippy7 [zippy7] by p0926

Jun 10, 2008 (3:48 pm)

Replying to: zippy7 (Jun 10, 2008 11:46 am)
See the post right before yours from ateixeira.
 
The bottom line is if they have much wear on them then yes, you have to replace all four. The only alternative is to find a tire shop willing to shave a new tire down to the same circumference as the others.
 
The reason for this is if all four tires aren't essentially the same rolling circumference, they AWD system will think one wheel is slipping slightly and will constantly be trying to compensate.
 
-Frank
 
P.S. There's only one R in Forester

#173 of 298 Re: New tires for 2003 Forester [eps105] by casecom2

Jun 21, 2008 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: eps105 (Jun 06, 2008 7:31 pm)
Thanks for the suggestion -- I will look into the Primacy. Looks like they're highly rated at Tire Rack, and probably a better fit with my driving style than high-performance tires anyway.

#174 of 298 2006 Subaru Forester by jeep1988

Jul 26, 2008 (3:18 pm)

I just purchased a set of Yokohama Avid TRz tires for my 06 Forester; NTB/Tire Kingdom recommended these. These tires are t-rated ; my question - is it ok to use a t-rated tire on the Forester? I do not go off road or drive faster than 75-80 on the highway. I have a 30 day return policy; hopefully it is ok. Thanks.

#175 of 298 Re: 2006 Subaru Forester [jeep1988] by ateixeira

Jul 30, 2008 (11:00 am)

Replying to: jeep1988 (Jul 26, 2008 3:18 pm)
It's generally not recommended only because a lower speed rated tire is less resistant to heat build-up.
 
I think you'll be OK for your type of driving, just make sure your tire pressure is always up to spec, because that's the other primary factor.

#176 of 298 Tire Leaking? by garion

Sep 28, 2008 (5:18 am)

Hey guys & gals-
 
I'm hoping you might have a solution to an annoying problem here. I have an '01 Forester and within the last 2-3 years find that I have to put air in the Alloy Wheels every week. It seems to lose a good 5psi a week.
 
I did a little research on this and hear it might be corrosion. Do you think that rings true?
 
I have garaged my Forester since day 1, and am embarrassed to admit my mileage because it's very low. I'll admit to driving it in snow, salted roads in NYC and didn't give it a good wash. Could that be the cause?
 
Any advice would be grateful. I figure you guys are the experts on this. (I'm glad to see Teixeira is still here - way back in '00 I was here for help on buying my '01 and he was here back then).

Messages Page 18 of 31

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