Ok guys I need some help. I have a 2002 forester L model. I just bought it. Someone put 16" Subaru wheels on it with 205/55-16 tires on it. Can I use 235/60r16 tires on it ? I have a new set that came off my previous Tucson that are new. Im just worried about clearance. Thanks in advance.
2002 forester - will 235/60r16 tires fit?
('01-'02)
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@kcarr1965 I see this is your first forum post, so welcome to the forum from Oregon! :biggrin:
The '02 "L" came with 205/70R-15 & the "S" came with 215/60-16.
As to installing 235/60-16, your problem may be the wheel width, which may be too narrow for 235 tires? If you have factory 16" wheels, they will be 6.5", offset +48.
When I want to see what will fit, I go here: Rims-n-Tires
Enter your stock data on one side & what you want to try on the other side. Read the data to see if it will work for you. :wink:
Also...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
The '02 "L" came with 205/70R-15 & the "S" came with 215/60-16.
As to installing 235/60-16, your problem may be the wheel width, which may be too narrow for 235 tires? If you have factory 16" wheels, they will be 6.5", offset +48.
When I want to see what will fit, I go here: Rims-n-Tires
Enter your stock data on one side & what you want to try on the other side. Read the data to see if it will work for you. :wink:
Also...
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
What data did you enter on the "stock", what you have fitted now? 
For the most accurate data, you need to start with the "stock", what your Forester came from the factory with. If what you now have installed is not as it came from the factory, then you may already have errors, as in the speedometer could be off.
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
For the most accurate data, you need to start with the "stock", what your Forester came from the factory with. If what you now have installed is not as it came from the factory, then you may already have errors, as in the speedometer could be off.
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
The "L" came with 15" steel wheels. Are those installed 16" wheels Subaru or aftermarket?
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
If those wheels are from a Forester, they will be +48 offset, but if they were from another model, they could be a different offset & different wheel width.
Keep in mind that tire & wheel calculator is not perfect, so your best option is to check with your local tire shop.
My son is at the stock ride height, running 235/50-17x7" on his '03 X on XXR wheels with a +40 offset. That gives the correct speedometer reading & sets the tires flush with the fender.
As to offset... a smaller number moves the tires outward towards the fender & a higher number moved the tires inward towards the suspension.
My trusted tire guy said the 7" wheel width was the minimum for the 235 Toyo tires. This varies from tires brands, so you need to check with your tire shop, which can tell you if the 235 tires will fit on your wheel width.
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
Keep in mind that tire & wheel calculator is not perfect, so your best option is to check with your local tire shop.
My son is at the stock ride height, running 235/50-17x7" on his '03 X on XXR wheels with a +40 offset. That gives the correct speedometer reading & sets the tires flush with the fender.
As to offset... a smaller number moves the tires outward towards the fender & a higher number moved the tires inward towards the suspension.
My trusted tire guy said the 7" wheel width was the minimum for the 235 Toyo tires. This varies from tires brands, so you need to check with your tire shop, which can tell you if the 235 tires will fit on your wheel width.
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
Assuming the wheels installed are 16x6.5" Subaru Forester wheels.
The stock tire on that wheel, from the factory, was 216/60-16
If you installed 235/60-16, when speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 62.2mph (100.1km/h): 3.7% faster.
The calculator says it should fit, but it doesn't tell you if the 6.5 wheel width will work with your 235 tire.
The correct size tire would be 235/50-16, which = no speedometer error.
Also...
The next time the tires are replaced on my son's '03 X, the plan is to go from 235/50-17 to 225/50-17 tires. Below is how the existing tires & wheels look.
Bobby...
![]()
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
The stock tire on that wheel, from the factory, was 216/60-16
If you installed 235/60-16, when speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 62.2mph (100.1km/h): 3.7% faster.
The calculator says it should fit, but it doesn't tell you if the 6.5 wheel width will work with your 235 tire.
The correct size tire would be 235/50-16, which = no speedometer error.
Also...
The next time the tires are replaced on my son's '03 X, the plan is to go from 235/50-17 to 225/50-17 tires. Below is how the existing tires & wheels look.
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
I got yaAssuming the wheels installed are 16x6.5" Subaru Forester wheels.
The stock tire on that wheel, from the factory, was 216/60-16
If you installed 235/60-16, when speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 62.2mph (100.1km/h): 3.7% faster.
The calculator says it should fit, but it doesn't tell you if the 6.5 wheel width will work with your 235 tire.
The correct size tire would be 235/50-16, which = no speedometer error.
Also...
The next time the tires are replaced on my son's '03 X, the plan is to go from 235/50-17 to 225/50-17 tires. Below is how the existing tires & wheels look.
Bobby...
![]()
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
Joined
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8 Posts
I use 225 65 16 with no clearance issues. I have vw golf steel rims but offset is the same as stock Subaru. I was using 215 65 16 which are stock size from newer fozzies. Those actually corrected the speedo on my 02 as per a friend on police force who clocked me at several speeds.
I use 215/65 R 16 and 215/60 R16 on my 2002 S
@kcarr1965
On my 2002 Forester S, I use 215/65 R 16 Continental TrueContacts as summer tires and 215/60 R 16 Firestone WinterForce as winter tires. The Continentals fill up the wheel wells a bit more but don't scuff and the car spins them up just fine.
BTW, I recently dropped in Monroe OE Spectrum QuickStuts all around, as the original struts had 215K miles on them. I believe the originals were KYBs but they were shot. Couldn't find KYB quickstruts for it, so I went with the Monroes. Ride height with these tires looks the same, though the Monroe springs are too soft for my taste. (Put KYB QuickStruts on the front of my wife's 2008 Ford Escape and it handles better than the Subaru, much stiffer with less body roll. Really cleaned up the ride on the Escape, which has 100K miles on it, and handled poorly with the OEM struts.).
@kcarr1965
On my 2002 Forester S, I use 215/65 R 16 Continental TrueContacts as summer tires and 215/60 R 16 Firestone WinterForce as winter tires. The Continentals fill up the wheel wells a bit more but don't scuff and the car spins them up just fine.
BTW, I recently dropped in Monroe OE Spectrum QuickStuts all around, as the original struts had 215K miles on them. I believe the originals were KYBs but they were shot. Couldn't find KYB quickstruts for it, so I went with the Monroes. Ride height with these tires looks the same, though the Monroe springs are too soft for my taste. (Put KYB QuickStruts on the front of my wife's 2008 Ford Escape and it handles better than the Subaru, much stiffer with less body roll. Really cleaned up the ride on the Escape, which has 100K miles on it, and handled poorly with the OEM struts.).
Hi Kcar,
I'm curious about *why* you want to change to 235 tires on your Forester. I hope you'll let us know what you decide to do, and how it works out.
With a lower aspect ratio tire (50 or 40 vs 60) the steering should feel somewhat more responsive. If the tires you're considering makes more revolutions per/mile, that is effectively equivalent to a slightly higher axle ratio (lower gearing), so you may notice a small improvement in acceleration (with a small increase in fuel consumption.)
I'm an old guy with 2003 Forester with the stock steel wheels and 215/60x16 Hankook Optima replacement tires. It's a second car with less than 69k miles on it, mostly for toting our kayaks, getting to hiking trail heads, and boat put-ins. The Hankook tires are quieter, provide a better ride and better wet/light snow traction than the terrible OEM Geolanders. But the initial turn-in is not sharp, and fuel economy is slightly lower. I just accept that this car is not a great handling car, and certainly not a quick one.
I would be interested in finding out how your upgrade goes.
Thanks.
I'm curious about *why* you want to change to 235 tires on your Forester. I hope you'll let us know what you decide to do, and how it works out.
With a lower aspect ratio tire (50 or 40 vs 60) the steering should feel somewhat more responsive. If the tires you're considering makes more revolutions per/mile, that is effectively equivalent to a slightly higher axle ratio (lower gearing), so you may notice a small improvement in acceleration (with a small increase in fuel consumption.)
I'm an old guy with 2003 Forester with the stock steel wheels and 215/60x16 Hankook Optima replacement tires. It's a second car with less than 69k miles on it, mostly for toting our kayaks, getting to hiking trail heads, and boat put-ins. The Hankook tires are quieter, provide a better ride and better wet/light snow traction than the terrible OEM Geolanders. But the initial turn-in is not sharp, and fuel economy is slightly lower. I just accept that this car is not a great handling car, and certainly not a quick one.
I would be interested in finding out how your upgrade goes.
Thanks.
@Kayakar per @kcarr1965 first post: :wink:
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
Bobby...
['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
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