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2025 - Touring Hybrid - Options for spare - what size is the donut/lug pattern? (merged thread)

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1.8K views 51 replies 13 participants last post by  Botnik  
#1 ·
Vehicle Details:
2025 Touring Hybrid
Daughter just bought the car.

I drive a lot and am a bit paranoid...have lots of repair/fix stuff in all the cars. My latest car came with no spare (but 'run flats'). So I put a compressor, better quality plug kit, breaker bar, good lug socket, etc. Saw the Modern Spare kit for my car, but it seemed very pricy. But...a donut by my car maker (BMW) was almost the same price. Wound up with one from an Audi for $100 locally as it's the same lug pattern, diameter, and fits well. Got a much better jack and dedicated lug socket/wrench/breaker bar for about $165 out of pocket. Since I drive a lot (200+ miles on some weekends), I didn't want to rely on the run flats.

Now I'm in the same position with her car. The Modern Spare is nice, but pricy. Just wondering if anyone knows the lug pattern, wheel and tire size of a donut spare that fits. (OEM setup is 19" wheels / 235/50r-19 tires).

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
@j3rf Yep, knew that. More for emergencies on longer trips. My car has an option for a spare, but you lose almost half the trunk depth with the spare/holder and new trunk ‘floor’
 
#4 ·
I mean you could probably go to your local Subaru dealership and order the temporary spare, jack, etc.... and try and store it in the trunk. There is a fix-a flat though. That is why I didn't wait for the Hybrid since having no spare is one major drawback.

Also, please don't use the tire sealant that was provided with the kit. I had a flat with my other car, a 2022 WRX, and I happened to use the tire sealant, and a couple of months later the TPMS light came on. The dealership told me that the sealant damaged the sensor. So yeah, I had to get new tires.
 
#6 ·
…you could probably go to your local Subaru dealership and order the … jack, etc.... and try and store it in the trunk...
There’s a “jack kit” under the driver’s seat, just no jack in it. Dealer couldn’t figure out what part number to order to get a jack that would “probably fit” in that little box.
 
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#9 ·
I just ordered this car too and wanted the same thing you're looking for for your daughter. If the spare isn't full size, will it still take up most of the trunk?
Will you please contact me with whatever spare kit you assemble for her? I'd like to get the same thing.
 
#11 ·
I think I read in a post here that the reason why Subaru doesn’t include a jack with the hybrids is because they’re afraid the customers will jack it in the wrong place and damage the electrics. Will your daughter know where to put it to jack the car?

Which items did you choose on Rockauto? I know enough to know I don’t know what I need!
 
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#13 ·
2 Ton jack. Rockauto has it listed in their Garage equipment section. About $28.

Will work pretty well with the pinch weld point nearest the flat tire. (Yes, she knows where to jack a car up).

Still looking at options for the spare. Will take up space in the back, so it will probably only go in on longer trips. Near home, someone could bring it to her.

Image
 
#18 ·
I bought the spare and wheel using the part number on Ebay ('used'...never been mounted it looks like)...oh and a cheap tire cover from amazon to keep things clean.. Did get a heavier jack (will lift a bit higher). Used a breaker bar and proper sized lug socket. Takes up space in the back (there's the hybrid battery under the rear deck), but for long drives gives peace of mind.
 
#19 ·
Can I dumb this down a little more for me? 🤪

So the tire and wheel are two different purchases and aren't “put together”? What does “used, never mounted” mean?

The Subaru jack, that fits in the kit, is it not as “sturdy” as the one you bought? Is that the 2-ton from Rockauto? And that does NOT fit in the kit? Does that come with the “proper” breaker bar and lug socket?

I know the tire cannot stow below the rear deck but you know how the kit currently fits inside the wheel when its stowed (on non-hybrid models)? Could it do that with the hybrid, just “in” the trunk, instead of “under” it? Then the tire cover would keep all of it neat, tidy and contained?
 
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#20 ·
That part: 28151FN00A appears to be the wheel only....however, the one I bought on eBay was the wheel and tire (presumably from a wrecked vehicle). You can buy the tire separately also, but it's a lot cheaper to find a 'used' one like I did that has both.

Not sure on the fitment in the rear...the tire showed up the day my Daughter left for the Outer Banks (not staying near the beach though). As far as I could tell, the factory jack is pretty small and barely lifts the car enough to remove the wheel/tire. The newer one is larger, so most likely won't fit under the seat. You probably could put it in the spare in the hatch area (put the wheel/tire 'face' down, put the jack inside the cavity...I'd probably throw some rags in there to keep it from rattling, and it's a good idea to have a few in your car anyway). Cover it with the tire cover. Breaker bar/lug socket is long enough I just slide it to the back of the car parallel with the rear. I bought a Harbor Freight breaker bar think it was 24"...and a socket (pretty sure it was 19") deep well from them.

Again, can't speak to the fit of it, but in my trunk (BMW), I have the jack in a plastic storage tote (along with an air compressor, lithium jumper box, plug kit, etc.) next to the spare, and bought a cheap fabric trunk organizer that sits on the spare.
 
#22 ·
I would never extend a scissor jack all the way either. Are you saying you put the wood on top of the jack when lifting?
 
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#27 ·
I bought a new Forester Hyrid about a month ago and am VERY impressed with it. Eventually, I want to buy a wheel/tire from a wrecked Subaru to carry as a spare wheel. Can anyone tell me what wheels will fit the 2025 Hybrid Forester?
 
#28 ·
There should be heaps. 48 offset; stud pattern 5 x 114.3 then whatever diameter you are running - 18 inch? I'm not sure when the stud pattern changed to 114.3 but it was several years ago.
 
#31 ·
In cases like this, I often source a good Subaru wheel from a SCRAPYARD for cheep. Being an ACTUAL Subaru wheel, you know it will fit. All you need to know is the specific size (offset and diameter)

To save space inside your Forester, you may choose to pick up a doughnut spare instead of full-size.

Often, I pay just a few dollars over scrap-metal value.
 
#32 ·
Thank you for the above replies. My car has 18" wheels (not sure of the tire size), but if I buy a space saver wheel, I am concerned that the car ECU may think that that wheel may be slipping, and apply the brakes to minimise wheelspin. Ideally, I should buy a wheel/tire size with the same outer diameter, which will restrict the choice of wheels. I will look into this further.
 
#33 ·
not sure of the tire size
The specs are published by Subaru, you can just look them up. I bought aftermarket wheels for winter, with the same specs as the wheels that come with the car.

Wheels from the scrapyard can be damaged, and even if you just need to get them painted, it eats into your savings. Even if the collision that ended the car didn't damage the wheels, it seems like a lot of people curb their wheels. Sometimes you luck out though.
 
#34 ·
but if I buy a space saver wheel, I am concerned that the car ECU may think that that wheel may be slipping, and apply the brakes to minimise wheelspin.
Many Subaru cars COME FROM FACTORY with 'space saver' spare and the owners-manual discusses its use.

In short -- The AWD system can tolerate having 'space saver' installed long enough for one to drive to get the flat-tire repaired. (there are speed-restrictions)

Personally, several times I have ran 'space saver' on my Impreza a couple days while the flat was in the shop getting new tire installed.

OTOH: If you are the type of person who wants a spare to throw on so you can continue a 500 mile trip... your concerns may be valid.

================
Touching on the concerns about scrapyard wheels being somehow damaged.... I have 'shopped' scrapyards for 20 years and this has NEVER been the case. Infact, they GUARANTEE the wheels to be usable.

A scrapyard is often the BEST place to get wheels, alternators, starters and various trim pieces.
I know a scrapyard which has a shelf labelled "Subaru" with 30+ alternators on it.
(Of course,the Hybrid does not have a starter nor alternator so this is for ICE)
 
#35 ·
Yes scrapyard wheels can be usable, but some (most, probably) people don’t want curbed or otherwise damaged wheels. It’s like not wanting keyed paint. I’ve used scrapyard parts on cars, but would get damaged wheels repaired. Damaged wheels make it look like you can’t drive. For any wear parts like alternators, I’d choose rebuilt or new over scrapyard. (Or I’d want to put time in to rebuild them, so probably would choose rebuilt.)
 
#36 ·
Thanks for your comments Botnik. I don't intend to ever have to use the spare wheel - it is just for emergencies. If at all possible, I intend to do another trip around Australia, including going to places well away from road service. When I go, I will have All Terrain tires whih will be more resistant to sidewall damage, but I would still need a spare tire, probably 2 of them. At present, I have a physical disability which prevents me from even changing a wheel, so the planned trip will be well into the future.
 
#37 · (Edited)
$44k & they don't come w/ a spare? did it come w/ a jack, hold down bolt & lug bolt tool? you might as well buy the spare "kit" from the dealer

rav4 hybrid comes with/ a spare
 
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#40 ·
did it come w/ a jack, hold down bolt & lug bolt tool?
Just like MANY other cars sold in America today... there is no spare, that is correct.

Also like MANY other cars sold in America today.. one does receive:
  • Compressor
  • 'fix a flat' type of goop
  • jack
  • Associated tools to operate the jack a and remove lugnuts.
------------------ RELATED COMMENT
Some people who work with tires have mentioned that after using 'fix a flat' type of goop, the inside of the tire is a MESS and not easy to locate and repair the leak. In general, the tire-professionals DO NOT like to work on tires which have been treated with some type of sealant.
 
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