blackfang
03-11-2010, 02:36 PM
I figure I would put this out there to expand on replacing tires. I always get questions or see threads about do I have to replace all my tires.
My experience on this issue is being in the Automotive industry for 7 years and over 3 as a Subaru Service advisor. I have also worked in the tire markets as a certified Michelin/BFG Salesman. The info I am giving you is my professional view and facts on this subject from first hand knowledge and the failures of the AWD system due to this. If you disagree with it, that is fine, it is your car and your money. I have seen plenty of failures and people end up forking over to me their money because they made the mistake.
Whenever you have to replace any tire on a Subaru, you must measure the circumference of the new tire when it is mounted. Then you measure the old tires. If there is more than a 1/4 inch of difference in the measurements, you should replace the other tires.
Folks, do NOT let the 1/32nds or 3/32nds rule fool you. That is not the correct method and it will cost you transfer clutches. One assumes that the overall circumference is the same to start with and you also can't tell if the entire tire's tread depth is equally the same around the tire. So that is why that method doesn't accurately work. Normally the 1/4inch threshold is around 15,000 miles, but I have seen a forester make it to 19,000 and still be within 1/4 inch.
If you do not do this, you are increasing the chances of damaging the transfer clutches/center diff or prematurely wearing them out on your awd. Automatics tend to be more prone to this than manuals. It isn't really a matter of if it happens, but more of a when.
Hope this clears up any confusion on whether you need all new tires or not.
Also proper tire rotation's and frequent alignments(I recommend once a year) help prevent irregular wear on the tires. Lack of rotations can also cause awd problems as well.
My experience on this issue is being in the Automotive industry for 7 years and over 3 as a Subaru Service advisor. I have also worked in the tire markets as a certified Michelin/BFG Salesman. The info I am giving you is my professional view and facts on this subject from first hand knowledge and the failures of the AWD system due to this. If you disagree with it, that is fine, it is your car and your money. I have seen plenty of failures and people end up forking over to me their money because they made the mistake.
Whenever you have to replace any tire on a Subaru, you must measure the circumference of the new tire when it is mounted. Then you measure the old tires. If there is more than a 1/4 inch of difference in the measurements, you should replace the other tires.
Folks, do NOT let the 1/32nds or 3/32nds rule fool you. That is not the correct method and it will cost you transfer clutches. One assumes that the overall circumference is the same to start with and you also can't tell if the entire tire's tread depth is equally the same around the tire. So that is why that method doesn't accurately work. Normally the 1/4inch threshold is around 15,000 miles, but I have seen a forester make it to 19,000 and still be within 1/4 inch.
If you do not do this, you are increasing the chances of damaging the transfer clutches/center diff or prematurely wearing them out on your awd. Automatics tend to be more prone to this than manuals. It isn't really a matter of if it happens, but more of a when.
Hope this clears up any confusion on whether you need all new tires or not.
Also proper tire rotation's and frequent alignments(I recommend once a year) help prevent irregular wear on the tires. Lack of rotations can also cause awd problems as well.