[crewzer]

Subelady,

Your avatar indicates you have a 2001 Forester, but you're asking about a full-size spare for a 2012 Forester. Can I ask you to confirm the model year in question? Also, which transmission (manual or automatic)?

For a 2012 Forester, you have a choice between 16" wheels and 17" wheels. My old thread describing a full size spare on a 16" wheel for our 2009 and 2012 Foresters (both are "SH" models) may be helpful:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f72/full-size-spare-09-forester-52279/

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

[crewzer]

We also have a 2012 Forester Premium w/ 17" wheels and a manual transmission.

However, the base trim model was fitted with 16" wheels and 215/65R16 tires. Accordingly, when it comes to a full-size spare, you have a couple of options:

1) A 17" wheel with a 225/55R17 tire, or
2) A 16" wheel with a 215/65R16 tire​

Our f/s spare is the 16" wheel with a 215/65R16 tire; 17" steel wheels were not readily available when I purchased our f/s spare in 2009. Our winter tire set is also 215/65R16 tires on 16" steel wheels.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

[crewzer]

I feel goofy for not realizing this was fine.

I don't believe you should be too hard on yourself over this, as it's not intuitively obvious. Besides, exchanging useful info and helping out where we can is what this forum is all about! :icon_cool:

Best of luck with GP's spare. Note that you may have to "flip" the cup washer on the retaining hardware when you secure the full-size spare.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer