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Comments
If I had a choice, though, I'd go 3% taller, to gain clearance for the snow, so you don't high-center.
I agree that extra clearance can come in handy, but in this situation, I think I would use up the current tires and then go to the 215/65/R16 after these wear out. Why not stick with the 17" size? 16" tires are much cheaper, plus the taller sidewalls offer better rim protection, and you never know when you might hit a large chunk of ice or some other object hidden in the snow.
We've had one ice storm this year and it was less than an inch and mostly freezing rain and ice.
I'm just thinking of the folks that do get real snow, though.
I might even choose 205/70R16 tires, narrow and tall, to dig in and increase clearance.
From what I've read, it's preferred to use smaller diameter wheels for winter tires with the marginal loss of clearance more than offset by the advantages of taller sidewalls.
Oh, I'm pretty sure that in 2002 the L and S models both had 16" wheels.
-Frank
P.S. Juice- I gotta agree with Wes, you're seriously worrying about fractions of an inch clearances when you live in DC? :P
Agreed about the small diameter wheels and taller sidewalls for winter driving. I think, at least on snow/ice covered roads (which are the ones I get - consistently - for 6+ months a year), the better handling characteristics of lower sidewalls are a moot point because the car is going to slide well before a difference in handling is realized.
Keeping a car over many years means at least two sets of winter tires will be purchased, and possibly more depending on the wear characteristics, miles on the road, road conditions during those miles, etc., so the savings involved in not having the tires swapped between one set of rims will cover a second set, and if buying a second set, the tire cost savings from purchasing smaller rim-size tires will further offset that investment. It seems like a win all around, to me. And, the best part is that the same set of rims will accommodate any of the three 16" tire sizes discussed here, so the preference of the owner (slightly taller 16" tires, slightly shorter, or slightly skinnier) is left to the owner's discretion!
That's why I take the wife's Forester when it snows. That's got enough clearance even for our (very) occasional blizzard.
The variation in odo output and ground clearance, etc. should be minimal and certainly any negative trade-offs will be offset by the better performance in snow & ice condtions.
02 L's have 15" as standard size; S's moved to larger 16"
Thnx again!
I just purchased a 2002 Forester L. The stock sized 205/70R15 tires need to be replaced. I'm thinking of purchasing a set of Blizzaks in this size for winter use on the stock steel wheel as I live in the NE. Then I would purchase a set of the optional 215/60R16 size tire and a set of 16" aluminum rims for the rest of the year. I was looking at the General Altimax HP in 16" or the Altimax RT in 15" as they are highly rated on Tire Rack.
This vehicle will be used by my wife and driven approx.12-15K per year. Any thoughts and opinions on going to 16" vs 15" or should I just stick with the 15's? I'm new to Subaru so any information would be appreciated.
I had a 98 and made that upgrade and the handling improved notably.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
cargalrn
The Geo's got bad rep from a lot of users, it all depends on the way you drive, period.
So far it seems quieter than Geo ( only had them for a day), was looking at Kumho's but came across this GT which got good reviews across the board.
Sweet...
Their parts dept let me order any tire I want, and the price they quote is within $5 compared to a local tire store, plus they are a new dealership which offers 10% discount on all parts and service....so I end up getting a better deal than going to a tire store.
The review of this tire on tirerack is even better than the good year triple tread.
Regards
I kinda wanted a trailer hitch and a bike rack but it's her car and she used veto power.
I had thought of RE960s, as he uses dedicated winter tyres, but these seemed to be a better all-around tyre.
Any advice or recommendations?
What I recommend is shop around for used Subaru rims, you only need one. Find someone that had an XT and did a Plus One, maybe.
I got alloys, so I had 4 spare steel wheels. Sold one to a friend who did the same thing I did - mounted a new tire and created a full sized spare. The other two I think I ended up recycling, noone wanted 15s.
In looking for used Subaru rims, do you mean check with salvage yards? I think it's going to be hard finding the 17" rims. The guy at Discount tire said a new steel rim to fit the Forester would run me ~$90.00.
Tire Rack was selling WRX take-offs, alloy, for less than that.
Should be $50 or so.
It may be harder since the Forester is less common, but check with them.
Had an ice storm with 1" of ice on the road with rain following. The Forester(without studs) was the only vehicle that could move on our hilly terrain.
I used a 225/60R16 tire on my 1998 Forester, and it never once rubbed. Stock was 215/60R16.
Mine was 10mm wider and 6mm taller.
Yours is same width, but 10.75mm taller.
The closest point for mine was the rear spring base. People told me I'd rub the fender liner at full lock but that never happened. That may be worse on yours, though, because it's almost 11mm taller, right where it could potentially rub.
Do you have a spring compressor? If you can find a way to put one of the front springs at full compression, then turn the wheel and measure how much clearance you have now.
Wheels with a wider offset could fix that, though.
You might verify that the tires do not rub the wheel wells while turning when you first mount them (the Outback tires are 20 mm wider than the Forester tires), but I doubt that will be the case.
I am considering either the Altimax R//T & Altimax HP. The HPs have significantly much better ratings snow & traction and modestly better ratings for wet conditions. Yet the R/Ts appear to have more sipping that than the HP which would suggest that the R/Ts would be better in water & snow.
What has been your experience with the R/Ts in the wet & snow? Thanks!
Tuesday I stopped into Mastrial Subaru, after returning from a long trip for regular oil change (21,500 miles) When I left, within 1/2 mile the tire pressure monitor started to blink, then remain on steadily lit.
That evening went to a gas station & found out tire pressures were normal (32 psi I believe for front and 30 psi for rear) As I am leaving on another long trip tomorrow and didn't want to have to look at the irritating light I called the dealer & they said come on in, probably have to reset something.
Well, that's what I did this morning. Want to hear the explanation?? They claim that one of the tires was filled with 72 psi! They have no explanation how that much air got in the tire. Again, when I went there on Tuesday, everything seemed to be normal, right after I left the problem arose.
No explanation how that could have happened. But something happened while I was at the dealer. I certainly did not go to a gas station right after leaving there & put that much air in. I would be scared to to hell to stand next to a tire and put that much air in. Dealer claims no one at their place would have done such a dastardly deed (either on purpose or by accident) I know that outside temperature fluctiations can cause a small jump up or down, but nothing like increasing it by more than 50%.
The more and more I think about it, something had to have happened at the dealer, and unlikely an accident. Had I gone on my next long trip (from Providence, RI to Buffalo, NY tomorrow) and driven all those miles on a tire inflated so high, could anything have happened? This really perturbs me.
I have a great relationship with the service dept at this dealer, and don't want to make false accusations, but they insisted one tire was over 72 psi, and that caused the light to go off.
Any comments????
Heat will increase pressure, but if it made it all the way up to 72psi the tire likely would have suffered severe damage or wear.
However, in the event the tire was overinflated so severely, the result depends on several factors: 1. The tire's integrity (number of miles, condition of materials, etc), 2. The road surface, 3. the vehicle's load, and 4. the ambient and road surface temperatures. Basically.... heat + pressure = boom.
This time of year (cooler temps), of more concern may be the amount of vibration being transferred to the struts and wheel assemblies. Over extended periods, that could result in premature wear of parts.
I love it when we get all scientific!
Could a tire even hold that much psi without blowing? You are probably right the dealer read it wrong. But, you would think, from a dealer, they would be intelligent enough to know whether that is even possible.
p21560r16 AWD, 25k a year Boston area and need to be mobile in the snow
I got a real good price on 4 Falcon tires??
thanks