Snow and mud tire size - Subaru Outback

snooozie · 12-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Hi,

I am new to the forum. I just got a 2002 outback 5 speed last week. I am thinking of getting a set of snow and mud tires for the wagon. Can you guys tell me want size should I go with as I would like to get a narrower tire....215/65R16? or should I get some steel 15" rims and put some 215/75R15. If I go with the 15" rims would that clear the brakes. Your expert reply would be greatly appreaciate.

Jim

rasterman · 12-09-2012, 12:20 PM

A 205/65R16 would be a closer match to stock circumference while going a bit narrower.

205/70R15 is probably the right fit if you want to go to 15". Most 15" tires are a good bit cheaper than larger sizes, maybe enough to pay for the steelies too.

15" steel will clear stock brakes. Use a tire size calculator to verify that you are staying close to the stock circumference, if you haven't already. This will let you compare different tires.

snooozie · 12-09-2012, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the great info. I'll look for some 15" steelies.

Do you think the Forester steel rims would fit the outback?

**AWDFTW** · 12-09-2012, 09:53 PM

They will. BUT, not sure 15" will clear your brakes.

2002 was a transition year for a rotor change. 15 will clear the earlier style, but not the newer.

snooozie · 12-09-2012, 10:01 PM

Now how do I know which has the newer rotors. My VIN can tell?

rasterman · 12-09-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

They will. BUT, not sure 15" will clear your brakes.

2002 was a transition year for a rotor change. 15 will clear the earlier style, but not the newer.

Good catch, forgot about the changeover...

**AWDFTW** · 12-09-2012, 10:46 PM

Manufacture Date vs Model Year for parts
VIN: how to read a Subaru Vehicle Identification Number

susiemk · 12-10-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

They will. BUT, not sure 15" will clear your brakes.

2002 was a transition year for a rotor change. 15 will clear the earlier style, but not the newer.

+1

I can ID the front brakes visually as follows:
If you look @ the swept area of the front disks - the newer/bigger brake have more unswept area then the smaller/older disk set-up.

If you have about .5-.7" of unswept area towards the center of the rotor you have the bigger brakes.

If the pads sweep just about the entire rotor you have the smaller brakes.

Note: Front Brake Calipers & Pads are the same for both the 10.9" & 11.4" front brake rotor set-ups (which is why there is more unswept area on the big brake set-up).

Pics would help but I do no have any handy...

Dodik · 12-10-2012, 11:45 PM

im running 215/70/16 this is the second season on them with no issues

snooozie · 12-11-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodik

im running 215/70/16 this is the second season on them with no issues

Can you take a pic of the wheels. Just like to see how high the car sit up, as 70's are a lot higher then the 60's in the original tires. Maybe I'll do 205/70 16

12-09-2012, 12:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
snooozie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New England Car: 2002 OBW 2.5L 5MT Posts: 56 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Snow and mud tire size Hi, I am new to the forum. I just got a 2002 outback 5 speed last week. I am thinking of getting a set of snow and mud tires for the wagon. Can you guys tell me want size should I go with as I would like to get a narrower tire....215/65R16? or should I get some steel 15" rims and put some 215/75R15. If I go with the 15" rims would that clear the brakes. Your expert reply would be greatly appreaciate. Jim

12-09-2012, 09:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,027 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They will. BUT, not sure 15" will clear your brakes. 2002 was a transition year for a rotor change. 15 will clear the earlier style, but not the newer. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 124,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

12-09-2012, 10:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,027 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Manufacture Date vs Model Year for parts VIN: how to read a Subaru Vehicle Identification Number __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 124,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

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12-09-2012, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
rasterman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Car: 2006 Outback XT Limited Posts: 2,453 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A 205/65R16 would be a closer match to stock circumference while going a bit narrower. 205/70R15 is probably the right fit if you want to go to 15". Most 15" tires are a good bit cheaper than larger sizes, maybe enough to pay for the steelies too. 15" steel will clear stock brakes. Use a tire size calculator to verify that you are staying close to the stock circumference, if you haven't already. This will let you compare different tires.

12-09-2012, 09:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
snooozie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New England Car: 2002 OBW 2.5L 5MT Posts: 56 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the great info. I'll look for some 15" steelies. Do you think the Forester steel rims would fit the outback?

12-09-2012, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
snooozie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New England Car: 2002 OBW 2.5L 5MT Posts: 56 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Now how do I know which has the newer rotors. My VIN can tell?

12-10-2012, 11:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dodik Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brooklyn NY Car: 02 Outback 3.0 sedan Posts: 453 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	im running 215/70/16 this is the second season on them with no issues

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