[subelady]

I tried to read the posts about full size spares for the Forester and I really got confused. I have the 17" wheels and I want to get a full size spare wheel and tire.. if I go to Tire Rack.com will they know what I'm talking about and sell me the right thing?

 

[subelady]

update

oddly, tirerack tells me it does not have tires in stock for a 2012 premium. :icon_frown:

 

[subelady]

Sorry about that. This is my second Forester. It is a a 2012 with 17" wheels.

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

 

[subelady]

Thanks, that was what was confusing me: people putting 16" wheels on the spare tire when they had 17" wheels on the other tires. I feel goofy for not realizing this was fine.
I may have worked out a deal to get grumpypants' spare tire instead.
The OEM tires have 38k miles on them. I am impressed that they've lasted this long. My 01 Forester OEM tires didn't last very long IIRC.

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