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Subaru Legacy/Outback Tire Issues

183 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2008 at 6:53 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 17 of 19

#155 of 183 TPS Light by melisaot1

Sep 18, 2008 (11:59 am)

Does anyone keep having trouble with the TPS light going on. I realize it's to let me know that my tires are low, but I have had them checked several times and inflated and then it's fine...(no leak or anything?)
 
Maybe it's electrical?

#156 of 183 Re: TPS Light [melisaot1] by ateixeira

Sep 18, 2008 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: melisaot1 (Sep 18, 2008 11:59 am)
Check the air pressure in the AM, when the tires are cold.
 
You may be driving and heating up the tires, expanding the air and increasing the pressure to normal.
 
That happened to me with my van. In fact the light would come on, then turn off once the tires warmed up. There were only very slightly below the recommended pressure when cold, but the TPMS worked like a charm.

#157 of 183 by robm2

Sep 18, 2008 (3:11 pm)

Check the spare - it may have a pressure monitor, as well.

#158 of 183 Re: [robm2] by melisaot1

Sep 18, 2008 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: robm2 (Sep 18, 2008 3:11 pm)
Thanks! I didn't even think about the spare....

#159 of 183 Re: TPS Light [ateixeira] by paisan

Sep 28, 2008 (8:09 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 18, 2008 2:00 pm)
I'm gonna agree with Juice. I had this on my Armada with TPMS. If they are only slightly low driving will heat em up and turn em off and when checked after warm, they'll read "ok".
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#160 of 183 Bad Tires? by jim2345

Sep 28, 2008 (3:09 pm)

I'm looking to buy a 09 Outback to replace my Jeep for winter driving in the mountains (I do most of my driving in winter) and to get me in and out of my house if I have to go out when it's snowing (my driveway is long and very steep).
 
So here's something I just can't understand. Look at the 09 Outback - it has heated seats, heated mirrors, even heated windshield wipers. It has as much ground clearance as my Jeep and a sophisticated AWD system with VDC. On paper, it would seem to be the perfect "snow beast" - until you look at the tires.
 
What's with the racetrack tires on this thing - there's virtually no tread! Does this make any sense at all? I've read in forums like this one that these Bridgestone Pontenza RE92A's (OEM) are useless in snow - maybe even worse than useless - dangerous!
 
There must be people like me out there who are about to buy a new Outback and know how bad these tires are. What can we do about it? Any luck negotiating with dealers for something better (They've got to know how bad these tires are and that they just don't belong on a vehicle like this).

#161 of 183 Re: Bad Tires? [jim2345] by snowbelter

Sep 28, 2008 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: jim2345 (Sep 28, 2008 3:09 pm)
I've gone through two winters with the Potenzas on my 07Outback, one very snowy and one so-so. Those tires certainly make winter driving an adventure. I ran Nokian WRs on my prior Outback and on my wife's current Outback. They are expensive, a little loud, but they are great in the winter on snow and ice. They are All Season and Winter rated, and they are on my short list to replace my Potenzas now with 22k on them.
 
But if I were driving on mountain roads and up and down a long driveway, I'd seriously consider a dedicated winter tire.

#162 of 183 Re: Bad Tires? [snowbelter] by jim2345

Sep 28, 2008 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: snowbelter (Sep 28, 2008 6:33 pm)
Thanks for your reply. Did you know how bad the Pontenza's were before you bought your 07 Outback? Sounds like you have lots of experience with prior Outbacks - did they not have Pontenza's? It's bothering me a lot to have to accept tires like these on a brand new Outback because I consider them to be worthless and completely inexplicable on a vehicle with such cold weather credentials. I'd like to get the dealer to agree that they're terrible and put on something better before I take delivery.
 
You suggested a dedicated winter tire, which I think is what I may have to do. I did this with my Jeep after the Wranglers wore out. The Michelins I bought are 2 years old and have more tread on them now than most new tires. They're loud and the tread is very aggressive, but the Jeep is really a truck and doesn't handle nicely at highway speeds anyway. It has the dynamics of a brick so at highway speeds there's so much wind noise you can't hear how loud the tires are - I'm lucky I can hear the radio. In contrast, the Outback looks to be much more car-like so I'd like to give a set of good all-season tires a try first. Then if they don't perform well in winter I'll get a set of winter tires - but I'll run them all year round like I do now on my Jeep. This works for me because I do most of my driving in the winter. I just go around town and don't put on many miles during the warmer weather when the winter tires would otherwise get worn down prematurely. Do you run your Nokian WR's year round or change 'em over twice a year?

#163 of 183 Go Anywhere Tires by ethaskell

Sep 28, 2008 (8:42 pm)

My '06 Outback is due for new tires at 33k miles. We drive freeways, back roads, dirt roads, and some desert "sorta" roads. The car is capable, but have not been able to find any on/off road rated tires in the 225 55R 17 size. Wold appreciate any suggestions.

Messages Page 17 of 19

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