[Syncros#10]

You don't go off road yet some recommended heavy off road oriented tires that will reduce acceleration, braking, cornering and fuel economy on road. Others have recommended tires that are great in snow but you stated you don't get much snow. The Forester doesn't have a lot of power so these tires should be avoided unless you really need them. In what ways did the stock tires need improvement for your needs or disappoint you?

 

[Old Man]

I have gone off road with my other cars in past. I have had modified MB Gwagens (1999 G 500 SWB, 2002 G 500 LWB and 2005 G 55 LWB along with a 2010 Porsche TransSiberia Cayenne). I used these vehicles to go fly fishing in remote parts of Canada. My daily driver for the times I had these cars was always an STi ( 3 of different years). Always thought the Subaru’s had outstanding 4 WD for pavement. I no longer go up to Canada but have had a lot of experience with tires, 4WD and bad roads. Universally the BFG were the best off road. Not great in wet pavement. Tried Toyo and some Bridgestone but was not impressed. My needs with the Forester are more modest as I rarely venture off road any longer. I very much liked the stock tires for quiet but they did not handle light snow well. I like the Hankook Synergy 4 S2 as they are quieter (IMO) and lighter (closer to the OE Falkens) than the Michelin Cross Climate 2 but have around 90% of their superb bad weather performance. In fact today I drove from Charlottesville, VA where we had the 14+ inches of snow through an ice storm in West Virginia to Andover, MA for a Monday morning meeting and these tires were phenomenal with the Subaru traction system.

 

[OVA Forester]

Well after a bunch of research (reading reviews, checking website pricing, availability, etc.). I decided on the Michelin X Tour. They are being installed at cosco this week. Stock tires still have some decent tread but they are starting to show wear at 46k miles so it’s time for them to go. I am looking at just over $600 for all 4 installed. That’s a price I can deal with because I remember having to do all 4 tires on previous SUV’s that I have owned and being quoted $1200+. I will put up a review in a couple of weeks because I will be driving to saint Augustine from Virginia. That should be enough miles to get a good idea of how they do.

 

[OVA Forester]

Quick follow up. Had 14+ inches of snow in Virginia this past week. Hankook’s handled this with no issues. Very impressed. Great value. FYI.

hey old man. I meant to put something up about that storm too. We also got about 14 inches. I live in a rural area and decided to go into town to try to get some groceries during the power outage that lasted a week. If it wasn’t for the downed trees blocking my way, I would have gotten there and back on the unplowed roads! I love my forester. Still had stock tires on it with 45k miles.

 

[papa97]

I have 10,000 miles on my Forester and the Bridgestone Ecopias were down to 5/32 tread depth. Went to Costco and got 4 Michilen Defenders of $701 mounted and balanced. Includes Costco's 5 year warranty,Michilens 6 year warranty, and michilens 3 year roadside assistance with includes Flat tire change, fluid delivery, lockout service, and jump start, and towing up to 150 miles. Got $150 off. Costco throws in there 5 year warranty for free you don't have to buy certificates !!!!!

 

[Old Man]

As a native New Yorker I can’t say that I was happy with 14+ inches of snow now that I live in Virginia. But as long as it comes once every 5 years I will live with it. The rest of the time this weather is much less problematic. Good luck with tires.

 

[AZ-baru]

I have 10,000 miles on my Forester and the Bridgestone Ecopias were down to 5/32 tread depth.

That is some pretty bad/fast tread wear. The Ecopia tires start with 10/32 of tread.

I checked the tires on our 2020 Forester with 17,000 miles and all the tires are right round 7/32.

Did you check the tread depth or did Costco check?

 

[rdclark]

Well after a bunch of research (reading reviews, checking website pricing, availability, etc.). I decided on the Michelin X Tour. They are being installed at cosco this week.

That’s what we have on our 2015 Forester, the Big Box rebranding of the Michelin Defender. Ours are about 3 years old, with only about 15k miles, used on pavement and very rarely in any snow. They are still like new, fuel economy is unchanged (excellent!), and they have been quiet, smooth, and predictable. Costco’s free rotations and checkups are an additional value, since we go there to shop anyway and they do it while we’re in the store. No regrets whatsoever!

 

[papa97]

That is some pretty bad/fast tread wear. The Ecopia tires start with 10/32 of tread.

I checked the tires on our 2020 Forester with 17,000 miles and all the tires are right round 7/32.

Did you check the tread depth or did Costco check?

I did !!!!

 

[columnshift]

I am so impressed with the michelin cross climate 2 on my 2020 ascent will put on my daughters 19 and 20 foresters when needing tires, love the snow rating
unless the michelin airless tires come out by that time

 

[Drrlux]

It’s very close to time for me to be buying new tires. I was curious if anyone had any recommendations. The woman at Subaru said the Falken tires seem to wear out quicker.

 

[Menel]

My Falken OE tires on the 21 are wearing noticeable quicker than the bridgestones or geolandar's that came on prior subarus.
At 9000 miles they are down to where the geolandars were at 35k.

 

[bman400]

@Drrlux Please update your forum profile with details of your vehicle: Your forum "Public Profile" - how to fill this...

Thank you

 

[Discount Tire]

It’s very close to time for me to be buying new tires. I was curious if anyone had any recommendations. The woman at Subaru said the Falken tires seem to wear out quicker.

There are many solid choices depending on what your needs are for your next tire. You may want to let the members know what area of the country you drive in as well as how you drive and what is important to you in your next set of tires. Let us know if we can help.

 

[FozzieBalou]

As mentioned - please take a moment to fill out your profile. Thank you.

Next - a lot of this will depend on what your driving is going to be... All on-road? Any off-road? Looking for long-life wear? Looking for ultimate grip and handling? Will you have snow?

A lot goes into picking the right tire beyond a brand name.

 

[Drrlux]

As mentioned - please take a moment to fill out your profile. Thank you.

Next - a lot of this will depend on what your driving is going to be... All on-road? Any off-road? Looking for long-life wear? Looking for ultimate grip and handling? Will you have snow?

A lot goes into picking the right tire beyond a brand name.

As mentioned - please take a moment to fill out your profile. Thank you.

Next - a lot of this will depend on what your driving is going to be... All on-road? Any off-road? Looking for long-life wear? Looking for ultimate grip and handling? Will you have snow?

A lot goes into picking the right tire beyond a brand name.

You’re like the third admin to tell me that after I filled it out. Is there something I’m missing?
All on road driving. I live in Indiana, so we do get snow. I drive a lot, so I would like something with that had long-life.

 

[hogtownrocketsled]

'19 Sport here. I found the OEM Falkens were like ice skates in the rain. I put on Michelin CrossClimate2 and they are fantastic

 

[FozzieBalou]

Hi drrlux - looks like it finally took. Thanks for filling that out. It's important information.

For the tires, I'd suggest going to a tire seller site (like @Discount Tire ) and do some research.

There are a ton of threads on the forum about "which tire should I get" and even more responses "I love my (fill in a brand name) tires".

There are a lot of different factors that can impact long-life, use the "tread wear" rating to get a longer life.

Personally, I've had tires from a lot of different makers over the years - from Goodyear to Goodrich, Firestone to Bridgstone; Michelin, Nexen, Falken and more.

I'm currently riding on Continental Terrain Contact (their all-terrain tires) and am very happy with both the on-road and off-road abilities and weather traction. But other tires may be better for you as you only will be on-road.

 

[Vladder1]

From my research, a good highway, suburban type tire that can handle a few snowfalls too is the Continental Terrain H/T. But that only works if you don't plan much dirt/trail driving based on the tire specs.

 

[Mr.AC]

It's a bit of loaded question. It's like saying what's your favorite flavor ice cream.
Mostly is going to depend on your budget. How much do you want to spend on a tire? $90 or $250 per tire? Off road, or daily driving all seasons?