Subaru Forester: Tires and wheels / Tire replacement

The wheels and tires are important and integral parts of your vehicle’s design; they cannot be changed arbitrarily. The tires fitted as standard equipment are optimally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and were selected to give the best possible combination of running performance, ride comfort, and service life. It is essential for every tire to have a size and construction matching those shown on the tire placard and to have a speed symbol and load index matching those shown on the tire placard.

Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from controllability, ride comfort, braking performance, speedometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also creates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappropriately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.

All four tires must be the same in terms of manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are identical to those fitted as standard equipment.

For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends replacing all four tires at the same time.

WARNING

• When replacing or installing tire(s), all four tires must be the same for following items.
  1. Size
  2. Speed symbol
  3. Load index
  4. Circumference
  5. Construction
  6. Manufacturer
  7. Brand (tread pattern)
  8. Degree of wear

  For items (a) to (c), you must obey the specification that is printed on the tire placard. The tire placard is located on the driver’s door pillar.

  If all the four tires are not the same for items (a) to (h), serious mechanical damage could be caused to the drivetrain of the car, and affect the followings.

  • Ride
  • Handling
  • Braking
  • Speedometer/Odometer calibration
  • Clearance between the body and tires

  It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control, and it can lead to an accident.

• Use only radial tires. Do not use radial tires together with belted bias tires and/or bias-ply tires. Doing so can dangerously reduce controllability, resulting in an accident.