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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 2 of 19

#9 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [outbackboy] by outbackboy

Jan 12, 2007 (8:07 am)

Replying to: outbackboy (Jan 09, 2007 10:24 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 (9:52 am)

Replying to: jfl (Jan 12, 2007 12:09 am)
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

#11 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [outbackboy] by njjuliano

Jan 12, 2007 (10:53 am)

Replying to: outbackboy (Jan 09, 2007 10:24 am)
Why not try plus zero of 235/60-16? Wider tire, with a bit radius, and less than the 225/65-16.

#12 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [njjuliano] by ateixeira

Jan 12, 2007 (11:12 am)

Replying to: njjuliano (Jan 12, 2007 10:53 am)
Not a bad idea. 10mm wider where you contact the sand, too.
 
That's what I did with my Forester - went from 215/60R16 to 225/60R16.
 
-juice

#13 of 183 Re: More important [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jan 12, 2007 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 9:52 am)
Hard cornering will still wear the front tires faster. I had not even considered the drive (AWD/FWD/RWD) factor, but that could be significant if you make a habit of burning rubber.

#14 of 183 Re: More important [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jan 12, 2007 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 12, 2007 12:13 pm)
My OE tires did that, but my 2nd set did not, nor did my 3rd set. Maybe I slowed down a bit since I usually have kids in the car.
 
-juice

#15 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [ateixeira] by njjuliano

Jan 13, 2007 (8:49 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 11:12 am)
Hey Juice,
 
Can you state what were real world differences in mpg, handle and power with the Forester?

#16 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [njjuliano] by njjuliano

Jan 16, 2007 (11:15 am)

Replying to: njjuliano (Jan 12, 2007 10:53 am)
Follow up on advice:
 
Concerning fitting 235s on the stock wheels, according to Discount Tire Direct, the stock wheels can only accomodate 225 as its widest, so unless a purchase of new rims is in order, my original advice of going to 235 is not feasible.
 
Too bad, cause I was headed that way as well.

#17 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [outbackboy] by fibber2

Jan 17, 2007 (9:52 am)

Replying to: outbackboy (Jan 09, 2007 10:24 am)
Rather than spend so much effort in trying to fit a different size tire on your car, may I suggest a different approach? I think what you are really looking for is a tread pattern for sand or snow that grips and moves the vehicle forward, rather than spinning and effectively 'digging' the vehicle in with each revolution.
 
I would suggest that you visit your local tire stores with a flexible tape measure in hand. Look for an open tread design with lots of bars across the tread rather than the more typical bands. Also check the circumference. Tire sizing is somewhat variable. Winter and Off-Road tires typically have 10-12 / 32 tread depth rather than Summer and All-Seasons, with 8/32 or so and thus stand taller.
 
Shoulder broadness also impacts actual tread width on the road. 235mm is the section width measured at the widest part, the tire body center. Actual "tread width" can vary all over the place - maybe up to an inch depending on the tire model.
 
Steve

#18 of 183 Re: Larger than stock tires on an Outback [njjuliano] by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2007 (10:16 am)

Replying to: njjuliano (Jan 13, 2007 8:49 am)
I first went from 205/70R15 to 225/60R16, with new rims as well. So that change was dramatic, as you might imagine.
 
But when those tires were worn, I went from 225/60R16 to 215/60R16, which is the stock size. I downsized because I no longer drive on the beach. We stopped going to the Outer Banks and I own a place in Ocean City within walking distance to the ocean, so I no longer needed the wider tires.
 
To be honest, the differences were small. The new tires are Falkens and I like them better, but I attribute that to the tires themselves being better than the Nitto NT460s I had on there before.
 
-juice

Messages Page 2 of 19

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