Tires

apn68015@forteinc.com writes:


You're supposed to replace all 4.   Subtle circumference differences
apparently do bad things to the AWD system otherwise.

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Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

apn68015@forteinc.com wrote:

With Subarus, as with any AWD vehicle, you need to ensure that there is
no more than 1/4" difference in circumference between any two of your
tires.  It sounds as if the other tires are worn, which means you sohuld
either replace the damaged tire with an equally worn tire, or replace
all four tires.  If you don't, there will probably be no noticeable
damage in the short run, but if you continue to drive the car on
mismatched tires, eventually it wears out differentials and even the
transmission, or so my Subaru specialist mechanic explained to me.

If you drive a Subaru like a Subaru (i.e. off-road), you'll want to
invest money in a good set of tires anyway.  That, and regular
maintenance and safety checks, are what prevent you from being stranded
a long way away from the road.


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Catherine Jefferson wrote:

Some tire shops can "shave" a new tire down to match the circumference
of the existing good tires.

I had this done (not on a Soob) years ago when there was one outsize
tire out of 4 new Pirellis. That tire was almost a quarter inch larger.
This was a temporary fix while they shipped out a replacement. (I had
special-ordered the tires, none in stock). The handling was "fun" at
120+ mph with the larger single, didn't matter if it was on the front or
the back.

FWIW, I lived in Montana "pre-55" then and had service calls over 250
miles one-way, boss was paying expenses.

Others have already told you how it should be.

I read somewhere that in extreme cases, people put 2 good tires in one
side of the vehicle (left or right) and 2 tires (same tread left) on the
other side.  This prevents damage to the center differential put puts
some additonal work on the front and rear diffs.  Handling and pull
could be affected.

Good luck

apn68015@forteinc.com wrote: