Bug or feature: 2003 Forester tire pressure

After we got our 2003 Forester XS+ from the dealer last week, I found the tires had been inflated to about 38 psi and thought that was the cause of the noise and stiff bumps I noticed on uneven road surfaces. The book specifies 29 front, 28 rear (light loads) for these tires, but when I advised the dealer his delivery tire pressures were out of spec, he replied they believe 32 psi fore and aft yields better tire life without an excessively stiff ride.

So I set 32 psi, but now the wife (it's her car) reports the ride does indeed communicate more bumps than her 1998 Civic.

So, is the Forester's stiff ride a bug, or a feature? I'll probably return the tires to the book's 29/28 psi specifications. I'd rather have a bit softer ride even at the cost of some tire wear.

Any comments from other Forester owners? Tires are stock Yokohama mud/snow on alloy rims.

Reply to
Charles Gillen
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" I'll probably return

If you're prepared to sacrifice some tyre wear, then 29/28 (ie spec) is the pressure you should set them to.

Reply to
PeterV

When I bought my 1988 Subaru GL 4x4 wagon I set the tire pressures at 32 pounds per square inch all around, despite the lower reommended pressures in the owner's manual. After all, that's what I had been doing in the past with the Fords and Chevys I had previously owned -- using the factory recommended tire pressures in those cars would result in tire edge wear as well as poor handling, while a few pounds per square inch higher resulted in even wear, longer tire life, and better handling .

Imagine my surprise when a year or so later it became clear that my tires on the 1988 Subaru were wearing out fast in the middle of the tread, a typical symptom of too much tire pressure. When I replaced them (at 86,000 km), I decided to follow the owner's manual pressure recommendations. Those replacement tires (Michelins) wore evenly, and lasted 120,000 km (about 75,000 mi). They handled quite nicely at the owner's manual pressures. The next set of replacement tires (Michelins again) had 40,000 km on them when I gave the vehicle to my daughter and son-in-law and looked hardly worn at all; I don't know how long they lasted.

I've done the same thing with the tire pressures on my 1997 Legacy Outback. The Michelin XW4s it came with, set to the owner's manual pressures, lasted 114,000 km and wore evenly. The Michelin X1 tires I replaced them with (much better tires, I think) have been doing even better. They now have 106,000 km on them and are far from being ready for replacement. They're wearing nice and evenly, and handling quite well.

I think Subaru uses decent sized tires on its vehicles, and their pressure recommendations should be relied upon. The same cannot be said for some other vehicle manufacturers.

David

Reply to
David or Jo Anne Ryeburn

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