Why low profile tires on top 2005 Outback?

[Guest]

On checking the specs for tires on the Outback 2.5i compared to the
3.0R, they are 225/60 compared to 225/55, meaning a difference of
almost 1/2" in sidewall depth.

With 17" rims on the 3.0R and 16" on the 2.5i I assume the rolling
radius is about the same.

My question is: surely it's an advantage for a vehicle with any
off-road pretensions to have the "deeper" tires so that running over a
rock (or a curb) will not so easily dent the rim and maybe break the
seal causing a flat.

So are the low profile type of tires purely for cosmetic reasons
(although personally I dislike the look) or is there some practical
advantage?

 

[TG]

The practical reason is handling...better handling with the-low pros.
Subarus have no "off road pretensions" that I'm aware of. Just more
capability on road in all weather conditions. Taking any Sub off road will
tear it up. TG

 

[Hallraker]

The practical reason is handling...better handling with the-low pros.
Subarus have no "off road pretensions" that I'm aware of. Just more
capability on road in all weather conditions. Taking any Sub off road will
tear it up. TG

If you ask me, it depends on the type of "off-roading" done. While surely
Subarus are not intended for rock-crawling, they are intended for rough,
untamed back roads. The appeal of a Subaru is having a vehicle that can
tackle any road that might still be considered a road, while still
maintaining a great degree of handling on "good" roads.

Probably the worst road I've had the pleasure of taking on a regular basis
is actually my friend's driveway. It's a mostly mud path across a
floodplain, and there can be as much as three feet of standing water on it.
Obviously, I don't drive through then, but I've driven through with water
almost to my intake. Normally though it's just muddy and torn up, with big
ruts and sometimes large rocks. It's about 3/4 of a mile long, and the
Subaru has no problems on it. And that's with a '95 Outback - no lift kit!


And let's not forget the oldies - the 4x4 Subies were even better on the
rough stuff, especially when equipped with big lifts and giant tires.

-Matt

 

[busterb]

The practical reason is handling...better handling with the-low pros.
Subarus have no "off road pretensions" that I'm aware of. Just more
capability on road in all weather conditions. Taking any Sub off road will
tear it up. TG

The 04 owners manual discusses driving off road. I've done fire roads/
sand roads with no problems. An outback is as off road capable as an
explorer or any of the soccer mom suv's out there

 

[Bill]

On checking the specs for tires on the Outback 2.5i compared to the
3.0R, they are 225/60 compared to 225/55, meaning a difference of
almost 1/2" in sidewall depth.

With 17" rims on the 3.0R and 16" on the 2.5i I assume the rolling
radius is about the same.

My question is: surely it's an advantage for a vehicle with any
off-road pretensions to have the "deeper" tires so that running over a
rock (or a curb) will not so easily dent the rim and maybe break the
seal causing a flat.

So are the low profile type of tires purely for cosmetic reasons
(although personally I dislike the look) or is there some practical
advantage?

#1 - Bottom line: Consumers think low-profs on larger rims are cool.
Automaking is a consumer driven industry.

#2 - 17" with 225/60's on a 17" rim will scuff the wheel wells on
bumps (my 2.5i with 16's fits close enough).

#3 - On road corner handling is improved (less sidwall rolling on
cornering) with low-profs.

#4 - 17" with 225/60 would reduce the accelleration (inertia)
performance.

I prefer the "more sidewall - less rim" approach as the ride is
smoother.

 

[Guest]

#1 - Bottom line: Consumers think low-profs on larger rims are cool.
Automaking is a consumer driven industry.

#2 - 17" with 225/60's on a 17" rim will scuff the wheel wells on
bumps (my 2.5i with 16's fits close enough).

#3 - On road corner handling is improved (less sidwall rolling on
cornering) with low-profs.

#4 - 17" with 225/60 would reduce the accelleration (inertia)
performance.

I prefer the "more sidewall - less rim" approach as the ride is
smoother.

Thanks, that sums it all up very well, and I don't think low profile
tires on an Outback look cool at all.

 

[CompUser]

@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com>, hallraker79
@nospam.hotmail.com says...

If you ask me, it depends on the type of "off-roading" done. While surely
Subarus are not intended for rock-crawling, they are intended for rough,
untamed back roads. The appeal of a Subaru is having a vehicle that can
tackle any road that might still be considered a road, while still
maintaining a great degree of handling on "good" roads.

And probably 80% of "offroad" or rough terrain
driving is the driver, not the vehicle, anyway.

 

[Chris Phillipo]

The 04 owners manual discusses driving off road. I've done fire roads/
sand roads with no problems. An outback is as off road capable as an
explorer or any of the soccer mom suv's out there

Driving on dirt roads is not driving off road.