N
nobody
I recently replaced all 4 tires on my '00 Outback Limited. The original
Potenzas were toast; but 94K wasn't a bad run for those as OEM!
The OEM size by the manual is 225/60R-16 , as were the Potenzas. I upped
that to 235/60's, Falken ZE512's.
I had the chance to measure mounted OD on the 225 and 235 versions of
this as well as the (worn) Potenzas.
28.8" on the Potenzas (remember, they are down to "Lincoln's head" on
tread wear)
29.1" on a 225/60R-16 ZE512
29.4" on the (now installed) 235/60R-16 ZE512
The main reason for the larger size was gaining a little tire overlap
(rim size being slightly smaller than tread width) for a softer ride.
I felt it was a reasonable choice; as did the tire dealer. A few days
later I went to the local Soobie dealer to pick up some new floormats
and got my butt reamed by a mechanic for the tire upsize. He did say
that was standard procedure (as far as he knew) to always disuade even
minor size changes.
He did like the tires tho ;}
I could understand problems with major changes, but .3" ???
I've been upsizing tire size on vehicles since 1966, I know the pitfalls
and all of the usual fixes like new differentials if you go too far. I
realize the AWD system does put more into the "issues" but IIRC the
actual size of these 235 Falkens is in the range of 225's from other
manufacturers.
Did I screw up??
Potenzas were toast; but 94K wasn't a bad run for those as OEM!
The OEM size by the manual is 225/60R-16 , as were the Potenzas. I upped
that to 235/60's, Falken ZE512's.
I had the chance to measure mounted OD on the 225 and 235 versions of
this as well as the (worn) Potenzas.
28.8" on the Potenzas (remember, they are down to "Lincoln's head" on
tread wear)
29.1" on a 225/60R-16 ZE512
29.4" on the (now installed) 235/60R-16 ZE512
The main reason for the larger size was gaining a little tire overlap
(rim size being slightly smaller than tread width) for a softer ride.
I felt it was a reasonable choice; as did the tire dealer. A few days
later I went to the local Soobie dealer to pick up some new floormats
and got my butt reamed by a mechanic for the tire upsize. He did say
that was standard procedure (as far as he knew) to always disuade even
minor size changes.
He did like the tires tho ;}
I could understand problems with major changes, but .3" ???
I've been upsizing tire size on vehicles since 1966, I know the pitfalls
and all of the usual fixes like new differentials if you go too far. I
realize the AWD system does put more into the "issues" but IIRC the
actual size of these 235 Falkens is in the range of 225's from other
manufacturers.
Did I screw up??