snow tires needed on outback?

You don't *need* them in snow, the AWD helps take care of that, but if you've got the budget for some good snows, they certainly won't hurt! Most of the tests I've looked at over the last few years show that a front driver with modern snow tires is better than AWD with all-seasons, but an AWD car with four snow tires is going to be downright unstoppable.

-Matt

I have a Forester and live in western NY, near justifyably imfamous Buffalo. We run summer tires in the summer and winter tires in the winter. With the ice, deep snow and sub 0 temperatures lasting for 4 months, I see no reason to skip winter tires.

We use Bridgestone Blizzaks and the traction improvement over all season radials is immediately noticable. A winter tire can stop several feet shorter than an AS tire. That's the difference between a near miss and an real bad day!

AS tires are good enough where winter is a brief, passing phase, but not where we live!

Buy them!

Philip

I tried the first winter on the all-seasons that came on my '02 Outback in Michigan. The roads on which I drive aren't always treated when I leave in the morning, and it could get downright frightening. The next year I bought some Michelin Arctic Alpins from Tirerack. I got a great deal. I take them to the local tire dealership here and have them installed in November, then put the all-seasons back on at end of March. That car with those tires feels like superglue on the road in bad winter weather. I LOVE those tires.

June

Where in MI?

This will be my first winter with my Outback...we live in the snowbelt.

-John O

My experience here in St. John's, NF, Canada (we get a bit of snow, now and then) is with both an '85 FWD Audi 5000 STD (turbo diesel), and a '98 AWD Subaru Legacy Brighton. I would sum it up by saying that brand new all seasons are adequate for snow conditions, but by the 2nd year you start to feel their inadequacy. Bald tires can't grip on anything, no matter how many wheels spin them. When I bought the used Subaru it came with 4 studded snow tires. I now have 2 sets of wheels and tires for the Subaru: all seasons for summer, and the studded snows for winter. I might not have gone out to buy studded snows myself. I'm kinda cheap. However, I am really happy I have them. AWD with studded snows is unstoppable!

Before buying any snow tire, look at the research data on the Green Diamond Tire on the website. There is also a Subaru enthusiast website with a number of very interesting articles and first person experience threads regarding these tires. They are available online or from dealers in the northeast. A plant is opening this year in Elmira, NY.

They are a remanufactured tire (not a simple retread) with silicon carbide particles embedded throughout the tread. Folks use them for ice racing and are winning. They perform much like a studded tire with more advantages. Because a tire is recycled in the process of manufacturing a Green Diamond Tire, they environmentally responsible and generally less expensive.

Yes, i do have a financial interest in Green Diamond Tire, however that came about only after having driven on them for 4 years and having become a believer in their higher safety, performance, durability and 'Earth friendly' aspects as many Subaru drivers will attest.

Here are a couple of Subaru related sites to further pique your interest:

Southeast -- north of Detroit.

June

snowbelt.

Studded snows are illegal in many places, Michigan (where I live) being one of them.

June

curious as to

We're hiding out here in the SW corner, waiting for that first big Lake Effect Snow.

For those of you that swap tires for the seasons, do you hahve an extra set of wheels, too? Nice ones, or just tire holders that can handle the salt?

-John O

I use an extra set of steel rims w Nokian Hackapaletas(sp?). Downside to aggressive snows is they throw a lot of snow into the wheel wells, so you have to clean them out now and again or your front wheels will be unable to steer. An additional advantage to spare rims is it gives you a chance to properly clean up your off season rims. Just make sure they do fit properly. Some of the knock-offs of oem rims sit poorly on the rotor hub, and can warp the rotors when you tighten them down. I ended up getting mine thru the dealer as they had a preseason special that was as good as any other bricks and mortar establishment.

My 2 cents F.Plant

I have a set of snow tires for my 98 Legacy. I work in the ski industry, so I need to travel in the snow. I recommend snow tires for everyone who travels on snow covered roads because....

2) The cost of a set with steel rims is less than the cheapest fender bender.

4) In most states AWD with approved snow tires will allow you to travel without tire chains where chains are otherwise required.

One caution. Remember if you are driving a Subaru (or other AWD) with snow tires you have way better traction than almost everyone else on the road. Don't expect everyone else to be able to turn and stop.

Peter

Dedicated snow tires on an AWD car in the winter are absolutly awesome. I have 4 winter tires mounted on steel rims. If you opt for snow tires,take my advice and mount them on rims and you will extend the life and look of your alloy wheels.

Ron

I bought steel wheels from Tirerack for the snows. Then I put some real cheap wheel covers on them that are made out of plastic. They are ugly but passable. It also protects the nice wheels that came on the car from the winter salt and grime and stuff. I didn't want to swap onto the factory wheels either -- too much wear and tear.

June

I've got an STi, I don't think they make steel wheels for it. I had to buy a set of ASA alloys for the Blizzaks that cost almost as much as the rubber! It was an expensive first outlay, but well worth it if they ever allow me to just miss an accident !

Philip

I went to Tirerack, put in my make and year and bought the Arctic Alpins they recommended. I don't remember the size, but they work. I never have to get snow out of the wheel wells like read someone else does. All I know is that the are 16s.

June

frightening.

curious

I wonder why. Not like running them is going to make the roads here any worse. ;)

-Matt

I've seen a lot of those cheap wheel covers, and honestly the rugged look of a black or silver steel wheel suits the look of any Subaru much better than a cheesy plastic cover. I'm hoping to get some snows myself and I'm going to forgo the wheel covers and just run the steels.

-Matt

Hi!

I have a Forester 2.0 with 205*70*15 tires (both summer and winter tires, living in Norway makes snow tires absolutely necessary). I would have preferred slimmer winter tires as the 205 makes the forester 'float' on the snow. The Outback is a heavier car, so the 215 tires will probably work well, but the wider 225 tires will probably give you the 'floating' effect I have. You'll get mor ground preassure (per square cm) with 215 than with

Harald Bjornstad