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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 7 of 19

#57 of 183 Re: New 2006 Subaru Tires worn out at 16,000K [nodonuts] by outbackboy

Jan 08, 2007 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: nodonuts (Dec 19, 2006 11:46 am)
My 2003 outback's stock tires are 225/60 16 Potenza's, 50,000 and still OK never rotated. Soon I will need new tires. Question - has anyone put larger tires on an Outback? I am thinking 225/65 16 which would be about 1" larger diameter or about 1/2" at each point. Does anyone know if this can be done without any rubbing issues? I occasionally drive on the beach and the clearance is an issue, 1/2 inch isn't much but every little bit helps.
 
Thanks.............

#58 of 183 Re: need tire advice [xwesx] by hamez

Jan 10, 2007 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 08, 2007 4:05 pm)
My '06 XT came with 17's.

#59 of 183 Re: Directional Tires okay on AWD? [ryster] by ryster

Jan 11, 2007 (7:35 am)

Replying to: ryster (Dec 23, 2006 7:26 am)
We finally decided to go with the Kumho Solus. However, we chose the HP4 tread design as opposed to the "touring" tread design. The tires are on their way to the installer, so hopefully we will have them on next week some time.
 
There is a lot of positive buzz around Kumho tires, so we are giving them a shot.

#60 of 183 Kumhos by paisan

Jan 11, 2007 (8:40 am)

The only ones I've liked are the VictorRacer Race tires. When the WRX came out people were using their street tires and I can't tell you how many bubbles there were in them after short periods of time
 
-mike

#61 of 183 Re: need tire advice [doug1] by hamez

Jan 25, 2007 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: doug1 (Jan 08, 2007 5:10 pm)
Thank you Doug, that is exactly what I want to do. All I have to do now is find a set of rims, and then replace the silly tires that came with it.

#62 of 183 Re: need tire advice [hamez] by lilengineerboy

Feb 01, 2007 (9:06 am)

Replying to: hamez (Jan 08, 2007 3:13 pm)
Tire width has very little to do with load rating (handling the weight). Wider tires are more likely to float over water (hydroplane) and have less snow traction, but are also more likely to float over dirt and sand. The OEM tire and any replacement should be rated to handle the max laden weight (GVWR) of the vehicle.
What is your goal of changing to a smaller diameter tire? All that would do is increase the sidewall height which will decrease the handling on road and make it harder for the tire to support weight.

#63 of 183 Re: Directional Tires okay on AWD? [ryster] by lilengineerboy

Feb 01, 2007 (9:07 am)

Replying to: ryster (Jan 11, 2007 7:35 am)
I have had VictorRacers and Ecsta 7## as well as Ecsta ASXs currently. So far I have had a very positive experience with all of them.

#64 of 183 Re: need tire advice [lilengineerboy] by paisan

Feb 01, 2007 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Feb 01, 2007 9:06 am)
Actually a reduced diameter of the tire will decrease the sidewall height, increase handling and increase acceleration.
 
A reduced rim size, while keeping stock diameter or increasing diameter will give you more sidewall, better off-road ability due to the give in the sidewall, and a better overall ride due to a softer area.
 
-Mike

#65 of 183 Re: need tire advice [paisan] by lilengineerboy

Feb 01, 2007 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Feb 01, 2007 1:32 pm)
Actually a reduced diameter of the tire will decrease the sidewall height, increase handling and increase acceleration.
 
I didn't realize you were going to change the tire's external diameter. That will effectively change your final drive ratio, making the car "geared lower" which will adversely affect the speedometer reading and fuel economy.
 
It will have very little affect on handling except for possible reduction in unsprung weight from getting lighter tires and wheels. If one is looking for handling, it would've been better to select the Legacy wagon vs the Outback to being with, but a +0 or +1 tire fitment would have a better effect on handling, while keeping other drive characteristics (gearing, speedometer) the same.
  
A reduced rim size, while keeping stock diameter or increasing diameter will give you more sidewall, better off-road ability due to the give in the sidewall, and a better overall ride due to a softer area.
 
I concur, but this will come at the expense of on-road handling and possibly load carrying capacity (it is easier to make a lower-profile tire stiffer to support weight in a passenger car tire).

#66 of 183 Re: need tire advice [lilengineerboy] by paisan

Feb 01, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Feb 01, 2007 1:47 pm)
Agreed, and I'm not sure what the original poster was attempting to do! Ha Ha Ha.
 
-mike

Messages Page 7 of 19

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