rotating tires on Forester

[Konyoman]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that on
AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

 

[Frank Logullo]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that on
AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

Yes. I do on my '03. I put off on '98 and had to get a new set at 25k
miles. Alignment had also gone off.
Frank

 

[Phil Marshall]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester?

Yes.

~~Phil~~

 

[Rat]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that on
AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

It is absolutely necessary. RTM.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that on
AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

It's in my manuals. The WRX gets it 7500 miles schedule minimum, left F
to R; right F to R - no crossing.

Carl

 

[Edward Hayes]

Rotation is more important on an AWD because the "system" needs tire
diameter the same to within 1/4 inch circumference to protect the
center differential/clutch pack.

 

[Bonehenge]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that on
AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

Actually, it's EXTRA necessary.

 

[Phil]

I believe the dealers do it during services.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Reading the manuals that came with the car is ALWAYS a good thing to
do.

 

[BoB]

I believe the dealers do it during services.

Uh, yeah, for $90-$100.

BoB

 

[Ernest]

Which tyres wear out quickest, front or rear in a AWD car. Was just
wondering.

 

[y_p_w]

Which tyres wear out quickest, front or rear in a AWD car. Was just
wondering.

Usually front, even if the power bias is slightly to the rear.
The fronts on my 2004 US-spec WRX were slightly more worn than
ther rears, but not as much as with my previous FWD car. I would
sometimes spin the tires a bit before it gained traction. That's
not a problem with AWD.

Much of front tire wear is because the fronts are used to steer,
and most of the braking force occurs on the front.

 

[R Sweeney]

Is it necessary to rotate the tires on my 04 Forester? I have heard that
on AWD cars, it isn't necessary.
thanks

actually it's almost the opposite

Subaru's AWD REQUIRES that all the wheels be the same circumference within a
few percent... this means that equal wear is imperative - including your
spare

 

[y_p_w]

actually it's almost the opposite

Subaru's AWD REQUIRES that all the wheels be the same circumference within a
few percent... this means that equal wear is imperative - including your
spare

Are you sure about the math? A 215/60-R16 tire is about 82 inches
in circumference. 1/4" is about .03% of that.

The 2004 Forester had a full-sized spare, but many other Subaru
models (including the 2005+ Forester) come with compact spares.
I believe they recommend the FWD fuse be inserted when using the
compact spare with some of the automatics. The manual models
just take take the compact spare with no problem as long as you
don't exceed the 50 MPH recommended speed.

This is what my 2004 WRX manual says (which doesn't really seem
to apply to the WRX but for other non-turbo Subaru models):

"(If your vehicle is AWD with automatic transmission, except
turbo models) Before driving your vehicle with the temporary
spare tire, put a spare fuse inside the FWD connector in the
main fuse box located in the engine compartment and confirm that
the Front-wheel drive warning light "FWD" in the combination
meter comes on. The all wheel drive capability of the vehicle
has now deactivated."

** ** **

The 1/4" difference seems to be unrealistic about the real world.
My guess is that circumference has been off by more than that on
most people's Subarus and it hasn't been noticeable or caused
damage. Not that 1/4" isn't a good number to shoot for.

 

[_]

Rotating tires? They rotate all the time when you drive!

just take take the compact spare with no problem as long as you
don't exceed the 50 MPH recommended speed.

Which is bogus, based on increased stopping distance with compact
spare. Ignore 50MPH rule and increase folloing distance.

 

[y_p_w]

Rotating tires? They rotate all the time when you drive!


Which is bogus, based on increased stopping distance with compact
spare. Ignore 50MPH rule and increase folloing distance.

I never said there wouldn't be decreased performance. I only meant
that the manual transmission models wouldn't suffer massive damage
because a compact spare is used for a bit. The viscous-coupled center
diff should be able to take more abuse than the electronically
controlled clutch packs. Heck - the automatic with turbo models don't
even have the FWD fuse, and most come with compact spares now.

Just think about it. Automatic + compact spare + FWD fuse needed =
the system will wear out prematurely if the tire sizes don't match.
Manual (or turbo auto) + compact spare - FWD fuse needed = the
system can tolerate some tire size differences of more than just a
few percent.

Basically, the compact spare should just get someone far enough
to get the damaged tire in for a proper repair.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I never said there wouldn't be decreased performance. I only meant
that the manual transmission models wouldn't suffer massive damage
because a compact spare is used for a bit. The viscous-coupled center
diff should be able to take more abuse than the electronically
controlled clutch packs. Heck - the automatic with turbo models don't
even have the FWD fuse, and most come with compact spares now.

Just think about it. Automatic + compact spare + FWD fuse needed =
the system will wear out prematurely if the tire sizes don't match.
Manual (or turbo auto) + compact spare - FWD fuse needed = the
system can tolerate some tire size differences of more than just a
few percent.

Basically, the compact spare should just get someone far enough
to get the damaged tire in for a proper repair.

I believe you are directed to put the spare on the rear, even if it
requires changing 2 tires to move a rear to the front.

Carl

 

[y_p_w]

I believe you are directed to put the spare on the rear, even if it
requires changing 2 tires to move a rear to the front.

I looked in my 2004 WRX owner's manual, and I can't find anything
directing that the compact spare can only go on the back. I also
can't think of any way to do what you suggest without jacking up
the car with one flat tire on the ground. I would never consider
doing that.

Really - viscous-coupled center diffs aren't going to die because
of a 1/2" difference in tire circumference.

The sense that I (and many others get) is that Subaru is being
extremely conservative in recommending that tire circumference
can't be more than the equivalent of .03% difference in
circumference. It might possibly be more critical in some
of the automatic transmission models.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I looked in my 2004 WRX owner's manual, and I can't find anything
directing that the compact spare can only go on the back. I also
can't think of any way to do what you suggest without jacking up
the car with one flat tire on the ground. I would never consider
doing that.

Really - viscous-coupled center diffs aren't going to die because
of a 1/2" difference in tire circumference.

The sense that I (and many others get) is that Subaru is being
extremely conservative in recommending that tire circumference
can't be more than the equivalent of .03% difference in
circumference. It might possibly be more critical in some
of the automatic transmission models.

On page 9-3 of the manual that came with my '06 WRX Wagon (In case of
Emergency, Temporary Spare Tire) I find the following;
"* The temporary spare tire must be used only on a rear wheel. If a
front wheel tire gets punctured, replace the wheel with a rear wheel and
install the temporary spare tire in place of the removed rear wheel."

I doubt I would be concerned about putting the temp spare on the front
if I were immediately going to the dealer/tire store for a repair and it
was withing 20 miles or so. Still, I suppose they have a reason for the
instructions in the manual. YMMV

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[y_p_w]

On page 9-3 of the manual that came with my '06 WRX Wagon (In case of
Emergency, Temporary Spare Tire) I find the following;
"* The temporary spare tire must be used only on a rear wheel. If a
front wheel tire gets punctured, replace the wheel with a rear wheel and
install the temporary spare tire in place of the removed rear wheel."

I doubt I would be concerned about putting the temp spare on the front
if I were immediately going to the dealer/tire store for a repair and it
was withing 20 miles or so. Still, I suppose they have a reason for the
instructions in the manual. YMMV

2004 WRX manual - P 9-3:

"The temporary spare tire is smaller and lighter than a
conventional tire and is designed for emergency use only.
Remove the temporary spare tire and re-install the
conventional tire as soon as possible because the spare
tire is designed only for temporary use."

The 2006 transmission and AWD could very well be a different
design to go with the 2.5L engine.

However - there's no way I would buy a car with that ugly
new grill. That thing is just horrible.