Winter Tires for 2008 Subaru Outback

[SeeWhy2]

Hi all,
I am considering purchasing from Tirerack.com. Factory wheels are 225/55/17 and when I imput info the site comes back with 16" for preferred packages (both rims and tires). I think that I read somewhere that this was normal to have winter tires smaller but I was just looking for some confirmation.
TIA,

[ac328]

Hi all,
I am considering purchasing from Tirerack.com. Factory wheels are 225/55/17 and when I imput info the site comes back with 16" for preferred packages (both rims and tires). I think that I read somewhere that this was normal to have winter tires smaller but I was just looking for some confirmation.
TIA,

Apparently 16" should be fine. Makes the tire/rims cheaper than 17" in any event. I am about to pick up a '08 Outback 2.5XT turbo from the US myself so this is highly relevant!

See this forum/thread for more discussion:

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...?threadid=9784

[SeeWhy2]

Apparently 16" should be fine. Makes the tire/rims cheaper than 17" in any event. I am about to pick up a '08 Outback 2.5XT turbo from the US myself so this is highly relevant!

See this forum/thread for more discussion:

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...?threadid=9784

Hi,
I brought mine back from Van Bortel's late November!
Good luck,

[Bullseye]

I have an 08 as well. The owners manual says 16"'s are preferrable, so that's what I bought.

[SeeWhy2]

I have an 08 as well. The owners manual says 16"'s are preferrable, so that's what I bought.

And are they doing the job? What brand of tire and type of rim did you get (steel, alloy painted aluminum)?
TIA,

[Bullseye]

And are they doing the job? What brand of tire and type of rim did you get (steel, alloy painted aluminum)?
TIA,

I actually bought a second-hand set of wheels on Craigslist. That's worked out well for me in past, so I'm trying again. $375 for Blizzaks with 5k on them, mounted on steel rims.

I haven't got around to putting them on yet, though, probably this week. I've already driven on some snow and ice with just my all seasons, and been impressed. Twice I've been able to drive around stuck vehicles with no difficulty at all, the AWD and ground clearance are big advantages. The winters will just make it even better.

[SeeWhy2]

I actually bought a second-hand set of wheels on Craigslist. That's worked out well for me in past, so I'm trying again. $375 for Blizzaks with 5k on them, mounted on steel rims.

I haven't got around to putting them on yet, though, probably this week. I've already driven on some snow and ice with just my all seasons, and been impressed. Twice I've been able to drive around stuck vehicles with no difficulty at all, the AWD and ground clearance are big advantages. The winters will just make it even better.

Are you buying the tire pressure gizmos? The local guy is telling me that if I don't it could cause problems - he asked if I had ABS, AWD, anti-skid and something else (which I do) and that I did it could cause problems not buying the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (or using the existing ones I guess). Any insight?
TIA,

[rvdv]

Won't have any problems without TPMS other than a blinking light on the instrument cluster.

[Bullseye]

Are you buying the tire pressure gizmos? The local guy is telling me that if I don't it could cause problems - he asked if I had ABS, AWD, anti-skid and something else (which I do) and that I did it could cause problems not buying the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (or using the existing ones I guess). Any insight?
TIA,

No, I'm not. I've heard from several people with TPMS who use regular wheels that the only downside is a light on in the dash.

Can't imagine that the TPMS is connected in any way with your AWD or ABS systems. My guess would be that your tire guy was trying to upsell you to more expensive wheels. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[etam]

just found this.. and so what's the verdict?

216/65/16? what brand? and which wheels?

[SeeWhy2]

just found this.. and so what's the verdict?

216/65/16? what brand? and which wheels?

From the manual:
Original equipment tires = P225/55 R17
Winter snow tires = P215/55 R17, P225/60 R16 0r P215/60 R16 studless
That info is on page 8-12
As far as brands - Michelins are on sale, Blizacks are on sale at Tirerack.com with aluminum painted rims (came to a little over 1k all in). Toyo Garits are on sale at Firestone but rims are expensive. CT has steel 16" rims for $64 and also carry the Michelin X-Ice. They also carry the GOODYear Nordics ($104) which some say aren't too bad.
I find it a bit confusing because there are so many choices and ways to go. I may even stay with the factory M + S (Mud and Snow) for this winter just to see how they do. Tirerack may be the best way to go to get the best bang for your buck.
FYI,

[etam]

From http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

I would pick 215/65/16 and prefer taller tire/sidewall and narrower contact patch.

Diameter
225/55/17: 26.74 in 679.19 mm
215/55/17: 26.31 in 668.27 mm
225/60/16: 26.62 in 676.14 mm
215/60/16: 26.15 in 664.21 mm
215/65/16: 27.00 in 685.8 mm

~7mm difference.. I don't care..

Now just need to find the best tire/price out there...

Thanks!

[Quick_lude]

We also just got our 2.5i from Manchester last week. The correct winter size is 215/65/16 because if you look at the specs for the OE 225/55/17 RE92A, their diameter is 26.9" which is larger than other tires in the same size, thus making the 27" the closest to OEM.
I got the Blizzak Revo's/steelies/covers from Tire Rack and had them shipped to Manchester.

[SeeWhy2]

We also just got our 2.5i from Manchester last week. The correct winter size is 215/65/16 because if you look at the specs for the OE 225/55/17 RE92A, their diameter is 26.9" which is larger than other tires in the same size, thus making the 27" the closest to OEM.
I got the Blizzak Revo's/steelies/covers from Tire Rack and had them shipped to Manchester.

Did you get the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?

[Quick_lude]

For the winter wheels? No. Didn't see a point in spending the money, gonna live with the warning indicator during the winter. :P