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Subaru Legacy/Outback Tire Issues

183 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2008 at 5:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Tires, Sedan, Wagon

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#1 of 183 Subaru Legacy/Outback Tire Issues by caliberchic Apr 26, 2007 (5:17 am)
Question about your tires post here.
#3 of 183 Larger than stock tires on an Outback by outbackboy Jan 09, 2007 (9:24 am)
My 2003 outback's stock tires are 225/60 16 Potenza's, 50,000 and still havge some good tread left, also never rotated. However soon I will need new tires. Question - has anyone put larger tires than the stock 225/60 16's on an Outback? I am thinking 225/65 16 which would be about 1" larger diameter or about 1/2" larger profile. Does anyone know if this can be done without any rubbing issues? The wheel wells look pretty tight. I understand the speedo calibration will be off 3 or 4 mph at 70mph.I occasionally drive on the beach and offroad and the ground clearance is always an issue, 1/2 inch isn't much but every little bit helps. Also does anyone know if there are any lift kits available for the Outback? I have heard of Scorpions from Austraila but they seem to be for older model Subarus only.    Thanks............. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jan 10, 2007 5:34 pm) outbackboy (Jan 12, 2007 7:07 am) njjuliano (Jan 12, 2007 9:53 am) ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 10:12 am) njjuliano (Jan 13, 2007 7:49 am) and 1 more... njjuliano (Jan 16, 2007 10:15 am) fibber2 (Jan 17, 2007 8:52 am)
#4 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [outbackboy] by ateixeira Jan 10, 2007 (5:34 pm)
Replying to: outbackboy (Jan 09, 2007 9:24 am) My concern would be the front tires rubbing at full steering lock. Take some measurements.   60 to 65 series is not that big a change, though.   -juice
#5 of 183 More important by mrk610 Jan 10, 2007 (7:38 pm)
I would read your owners manual. Outbacks need there tires rotated every 7-10 k miles . You will destroy the awd system if the tires are of difference sizes. Hope you have not already done damage to it . Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jan 11, 2007 5:49 pm) xwesx (Jan 11, 2007 8:47 pm) jfl (Jan 11, 2007 11:09 pm) and 3 more...
#6 of 183 Re: More important [mrk610] by ateixeira Jan 11, 2007 (5:49 pm)
Replying to: mrk610 (Jan 10, 2007 7:38 pm) As long as all four are bigger, that shouldn't have an effect, i.e. do not buy two bigger tires, buy a set of four. Better yet, 5 with the spare.   -juice Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 11, 2007 8:47 pm) jfl (Jan 11, 2007 11:09 pm) ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 8:52 am) and 2 more...
#7 of 183 Re: More important [ateixeira] by xwesx Jan 11, 2007 (8:47 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 11, 2007 5:49 pm) No, think the intent of the previous post was to say that by not rotating, the tires are likely to wear at different rates (for example, front wearing faster than rear). As a result, this could lead to sufficient differences in circumference to cause undue stress on the AWD system.   I think it would be tough to get enough circumference differential to cause damage to the system simply through not rotating the tires, but I guess it all depends on how aggressively the vehicle is driven. Considering the RE92's have made it 50,000 miles (!), my guess is that the vehicle is not driven aggresively.   The space is tight though. Intuitively, I would surmise the increase you are seeking should work. I doubt the height gain will be noticable though. You might do better to put a 2 or 3" lift on it (if such a kit is available). Replies to this message: jfl (Jan 11, 2007 11:09 pm) ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 8:52 am) xwesx (Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am) and 1 more...
#8 of 183 Re: More important [xwesx] by jfl Jan 11, 2007 (11:09 pm)
Replying to: xwesx (Jan 11, 2007 8:47 pm) I always thought tire wear on an AWD was relatively even. Power starts and other such actions would wear the driven tire of a FWD and RWD but with an AWD they're all driven so the wear is even. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 8:52 am) xwesx (Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am) ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 11:14 am)
#9 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [outbackboy] by outbackboy Jan 12, 2007 (7:07 am)
Replying to: outbackboy (Jan 09, 2007 9:24 am) My 2003 Outback with the 225/60 16's that were never rotated is a manual tranny which gives a 50 - 50 front to rear traction drive. I understand this is a different system than the auto which is like 90 front to 10 back. That may explain the mostly even tire wear. Most of my driving is around town which may explain the 50,000 miles. I wrote subaru about putting on 225/65 16's and also about ways to raise the body or suspension, however they just say they do not recommend making any modifications (to protect themselves I guess). The wheel wells look like they may have 1" of clearance at best and when the front wheel is turned to the limit as one person said the clearance is quite tight. I am beginning to think that it may not be worth the gamble to try the larger tires. I may just have to go back to an SUV or truck that is more suitable for offroad. I just hate to give up all the other advantages to the Subby.   Thanks again..............
#10 of 183 Re: More important [jfl] by ateixeira Jan 12, 2007 (8:52 am)
Replying to: jfl (Jan 11, 2007 11:09 pm) It does wear evenly, in fact I have trouble keeping rack of when I did the last rotation because there is no visual clue.   -juice Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am) ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 11:14 am)

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