Forester Tire Replacement - Question

[Dom]

I am going to be getting new tires for my 2003 Forester.
I dont think I will be replacing them with the same stock OE tire
(Geolander G900). That being said, if I buy a different tire, do I
also have to replace the spare tire too with the same brand? Or, will
having the Geolander for a spare only be ok for a short term answer to
get to a place to address the flat?

I have heard that the AWD should have the same tires on all 4 wheels -
but wonder if its THAT big of a deal to have one different in the event
of an emergency such as a flat.

Any advise would be appreciated.
THX!
Dominic

 

[David]

I am going to be getting new tires for my 2003 Forester.
I dont think I will be replacing them with the same stock OE tire
(Geolander G900).

I think there are much better tires for less $$. How long did the G900s
last you? For many of us the G900s don't last especially long, and
don't perform especially well.

That being said, if I buy a different tire, do I
also have to replace the spare tire too with the same brand? Or, will
having the Geolander for a spare only be ok for a short term answer to
get to a place to address the flat?

I have heard that the AWD should have the same tires on all 4 wheels -

No. Most AWD systems require the tires to be fairly close in size (check
your owner's manual for specs). Whatever brand your tires & spare, as
the tires wear, the spare will be too large, and you shouldn't drive much on the
unused spare along with 3 worn tires. Unless you do a 5-tire rotation pattern. Which
means buying non-directional tires, and having matching wheels. If you have an X,
probably your wheels match, if XS or XT the spare wheel is probably different.

..

 

[Dom]

Right now, I have 43,000 miles on my Geolanders. They are ok on dry -
but in snow they are slick...hence the need for new tires. Up until
the last few thousand miles, I have been relatively satisfied with them
- especially when I hear the experiences others have had with them.
I have an XS and the spare is a full size alluminum spare that matches
the other tires/wheels exactly.

I am not going to change the size of the tire at all. Just the brand.
Therefore, if I get a set of Goodyears or Michelins, and one of them go
flat, will putting the Geolander on the car to get to a place to fix
the flat tire be a problem?
I know I wouldnt be able to leave the Geolander spare on for too long
w/o any problems.
I was just wondering if I would experience jittery response from the
AWD system or other nasty behavior while the Geolander spare is on. If
that is the case...should I bother replacing the spare too?

I am not rotating or have intentions on rotating the spare into mix.

Incidently, I am strongly considering the Goodyear Triple Treds as a
replacement.

Thanks for your reply!
Dom

 

[Dom]

Right now, I have 43,000 miles on my Geolanders. They are ok on dry -
but in snow they are slick...hence the need for new tires. Up until
the last few thousand miles, I have been relatively satisfied with them
- especially when I hear the experiences others have had with them.
I have an XS and the spare is a full size alluminum spare that matches
the other tires/wheels exactly.

I am not going to change the size of the tire at all. Just the brand.
Therefore, if I get a set of Goodyears or Michelins, and one of them go
flat, will putting the Geolander on the car to get to a place to fix
the flat tire be a problem?
I know I wouldnt be able to leave the Geolander spare on for too long
w/o any problems.
I was just wondering if I would experience jittery response from the
AWD system or other nasty behavior while the Geolander spare is on. If
that is the case...should I bother replacing the spare too?

I am not rotating or have intentions on rotating the spare into mix.

Incidently, I am strongly considering the Goodyear Triple Treds as a
replacement.

Thanks for your reply!
Dom

 

[David]

I am not going to change the size of the tire at all.

The point about the size is it changes with wear. Unless you do a 5-tire rotation,
the spare size will often not match the other tires.

 

[jabario]

have heard that the AWD should have the same tires on all 4 wheels -

but wonder if its THAT big of a deal to have one different in the event

of an emergency such as a flat. <<

Don't worry about it.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

IF it is an automatic tranny, your Owner's manual should direct you to
use the FWD Only fuse option (probably in the fuse box under the hood)
when using a different sixe spare.

The problem is, any different circumference (different by maybe only 1/4
inch!) is detected by the system as slippage and the AWD will be
attempting to redirect torque until there is no slippage sensed. This
can burn things up.

If the Geolander you keep is a slightly larger circumference than the
new tires you buy, you may able to find a shop that can 'shave' it down.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Dom]

I think you folks are missing the point to my question.

1) I am not going to rotate the Geolander spare at all (which is new).
2) My new tires will be of the same size - just different brand.

My concern is....if I get a flat with these different brand tires, will
it matter (for emergency purposes) to use the Geolander spare?
I would not keep the Geolander on permanently. It would be on only for
the time to get the flat tire fixed.
However, do to the different tread design (even for the temporary
period), will this be a problem?

THanks for the replies so far.

IF it is an automatic tranny, your Owner's manual should direct you to
use the FWD Only fuse option (probably in the fuse box under the hood)
when using a different sixe spare.

The problem is, any different circumference (different by maybe only 1/4
inch!) is detected by the system as slippage and the AWD will be
attempting to redirect torque until there is no slippage sensed. This

 

[H]

Go to Tire Rack.com. They have the specs, including circumference, for all
of the tires. Check to see the Circumference difference between the Geo's
and what you intend to purchase. I did change all five of my Geos to Triple
Treads but I traded my Geos in at 17,000 km and got $50/each for them at the
shop, essentially getting the fifth tire free. BTW I highly recommend the
Triple Treads. If I recall there is a differential circumference between the
TT's and the Geos. Tirerack has specs on revolutions per mile etc. I think
for short emergency use a small difference would be inconsequential. But
think about if you cut one of your new tires even 15K down the road. If you
can stretch to it it would be worth while changing the spare out as well. I
did notice all tires have a slight difference in circumference even with the
same nominal dimension.


H

 

[y_p_w]

I think you folks are missing the point to my question.

1) I am not going to rotate the Geolander spare at all (which is new).
2) My new tires will be of the same size - just different brand.

I don't think he missed your point. He specifically said that the
circumference of a new tire being off by as much as 1/4" could cause
a problem with the automatic transmission AWD system - if you forget
to insert the front-wheel drive fuse. If you've got 4/16" wear on
your tires, they're already 1.5" smaller in circuference.

My concern is....if I get a flat with these different brand tires, will
it matter (for emergency purposes) to use the Geolander spare?
I would not keep the Geolander on permanently. It would be on only for
the time to get the flat tire fixed.
However, do to the different tread design (even for the temporary
period), will this be a problem?

It's not a problem as long as you don't forget to insert the front-
wheel drive mode fuse. However - isn't there ideally a five tire
rotation pattern for full-size spares? Or does the full-size spare
come on different rims?

 

[y_p_w]

I don't think he missed your point. He specifically said that the
circumference of a new tire being off by as much as 1/4" could cause
a problem with the automatic transmission AWD system - if you forget
to insert the front-wheel drive fuse. If you've got 4/16" wear on
your tires, they're already 1.5" smaller in circuference.

Let me clarify. He said the difference in circumference of 1/4"
could potentially damage the AWD system. If you need to use a
relatively unworn full-size spare with worn tires, use FWD mode.

 

[Dom]

Ah...thats one point I didn't clarify. Its not an automatic. Its a
stick shift (2003 XS).

Does that make a difference? I would think so, being that the stick
shift is a mechanical AWD system. With that in mind....would the spare
(used for emergency purposes) be harmful...used for less than 100 - 150
miles?

Dom

 

[jabario]

If you replace all tires at once you will not have a problem. If you
do it will be a warranty issue and its free. No manufacturer will make
a system too fragile or they will end up paying too many warranty
claims. Use the fuse if you require the spare but dont be too afraid
when replacing the other four.

 

[y_p_w]

Ah...thats one point I didn't clarify. Its not an automatic. Its a
stick shift (2003 XS).

And you had us worrying about nothing. ;-)

Does that make a difference? I would think so, being that the
stick shift is a mechanical AWD system. With that in mind....
would the spare (used for emergency purposes) be harmful...used
for less than 100 - 150 miles?

It should be fine. My WRX 5-sp comes with a compact spare and no
FWD fuse connection. The mechanical diffs should be able to cope
with even a compact spare as long as I keep the speed down. Yours
should have no problem. You might not even have to worry about
staying under 50 MPH with a full-size spare.

It's the automatic transmissions with the "electronically managed
continuously variable transfer clutch" AWD systems that will go
batty if the tires are off in size. That's why they include the
fuse connector to turn on front-wheel drive only.