snow tires needed on outback?

[JDC]

I have a 2004 Outback 3.0 and as the weather is turning colder, I was
wondering if I need snow tires. I live in Western Massachusetts and travel
up to Vermont on a regular nasis in the winter. My thought is that I do,
because with every other car I have gotten them, but I was curious as to
what other Subaru owners do in this regard.

 

[Hallraker]

I have a 2004 Outback 3.0 and as the weather is turning colder, I was
wondering if I need snow tires. I live in Western Massachusetts and travel
up to Vermont on a regular nasis in the winter. My thought is that I do,
because with every other car I have gotten them, but I was curious as to
what other Subaru owners do in this regard.

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

 

[Philip Procter]

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

 

[Diva]

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

 

[John O]

I tried the first winter on the all-seasons that came on my '02

Outback in Michigan.

Where in MI?

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

-John O

 

[Juhan Leemet]

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.

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!

 

[R Gostenik]

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:

http://www.subdriven.com/features/green_diamonds/GD_tires.html
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-457188.html

 

[Diva]

Southeast -- north of Detroit.

June

Where in MI?

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

-John O

 

[Diva]

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

June

 

[John O]

Southeast -- north of Detroit.

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

 

[F. Plant]

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?

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

 

[Peter Berbee]

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....

1) Stopping and turning are much better with snow tires.

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

3) An extra set of wheels may seem extravagant, but, your summer tires will
last longer and make up for some of the extra cost.

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

 

[Ron Joiner]

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



as to

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

 

[Diva]

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

 

[JDC]

Do you follow the sizing recommendations in the manual for 2000-2004 Subarus
to use 215x60x16s instead of the stock 225x60x16 size? I noticed when
researching specs that the diameter of most winter tires is the same as the
all season RE92s. I don't understand the Subaru recommendation.

 

[Philip Procter]

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

 

[Diva]

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

 

[Hallraker]

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

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

-Matt

 

[Hallraker]

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.

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

 

[Harald Bjørnstad]

Do you follow the sizing recommendations in the manual for 2000-2004
Subarus to use 215x60x16s instead of the stock 225x60preferredddddddd? I noticed
when researching specs that the diameter of most winter tires is the same
as the all season RE92s. I don't understand the Subaru recommendation.

news:5Xk6d.139738$(e-mail address removed)...

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
225 tires.

Harald Bjornstad
2000 Subaru Forester 2.0