2021 Subaru Forester Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

As an ASE-certified master technician, I know that keeping the right rubber on your 2021 Subaru Forester is crucial. Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is incredibly effective, but it is also highly sensitive to tire size, pressure, and tread depth. Whether you are replacing a worn set or just doing your monthly tire pressure check, knowing the exact factory specifications is key to maintaining fuel economy, safety, and drivetrain longevity.

Here is your comprehensive guide to the 2021 Subaru Forester's tire and wheel specifications.

Quick answer

• OEM Tire Size: 225/60R17 (Base, Premium) or 225/55R18 (Sport, Limited, Touring)
• Recommended Cold Tire Pressure: 35 psi front / 33 psi rear (refer to your driver's side door placard for exact numbers)
• Bolt Pattern: 5x114.3 (5x4.5")
• Wheel Size: 17x7.0J or 18x7.0J (Offset: +48mm)
• Load Index & Speed Rating: 99H (17-inch) or 98H (18-inch)
• Spare Tire Size: T145/80D17 (compact temporary spare)
• TPMS Frequency: 433 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

The 2021 Subaru Forester comes in several trim levels. The lower trims feature 17-inch wheels for a slightly softer ride, while the upper trims use 18-inch wheels for sharper handling and aesthetics.

Note: Always check the placard on the driver’s side door jamb to confirm the original equipment sizes for your specific vehicle.

Recommended replacement tires

When replacing tires on the Forester, you want a tire that complements its all-weather capability while remaining quiet on the highway. Here are a few highly recommended options across different price points:

1. Michelin Defender2 (Premium) An excellent all-season touring tire. It offers fantastic tread life, a quiet ride, and great wet-weather traction. Perfect for daily commuting and long road trips.
2. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (Mid-Tier / Mild All-Terrain) If you take your Forester camping or down dirt roads, this tire is specifically engineered for crossover vehicles. It offers a more aggressive look and better off-road grip without destroying your highway fuel economy.
3. Yokohama Geolandar CV G058 (Mid-Tier) A solid OEM-style replacement that provides a great balance of comfort, all-season grip, and a long-lasting tread compound.
4. Cooper Endeavor Plus (Budget-Friendly) A reliable, cost-effective option that still delivers dependable all-season traction and a smooth ride for the budget-conscious driver.

When to inflate to max load psi

Because the 2021 Subaru Forester is a light-duty passenger crossover and not a Heavy-Duty (HD) truck, you will rarely, if ever, need to inflate the tires to the "Max Cold Press" listed on the tire sidewall (which is often 44 or 51 psi).

You should stick to the manufacturer's recommended 35 psi (front) and 33 psi (rear) for standard driving. If you are towing a small trailer (up to the Forester's 1,500 lb capacity) or carrying a full load of passengers and cargo, you can increase the rear tire pressure by 2 to 3 psi to help stabilize the extra weight. Never exceed the max pressure printed on the tire sidewall.

Lug nut torque & pattern

Proper wheel installation is vital to prevent warped brake rotors and ensure wheel security.

• Bolt Pattern: 5x114.3 mm (Note: Older Foresters used 5x100, but the 2019+ generation switched to the heavier-duty 5x114.3 pattern).
• Lug Nut Size: M12 x 1.25 thread pitch
• Lug Nut Torque: 89 lb-ft (120 Nm)

Always tighten lug nuts in a star (crisscross) pattern and re-torque them after driving 50 to 100 miles following a wheel removal.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

AWD Tread Depth Sensitivity: The single most common and critical tire issue on the 2021 Subaru Forester involves tread depth differences. Subaru’s AWD system requires that all four tires be within 2/32 of an inch of each other in tread depth. If you replace just one tire, the difference in circumference can cause severe binding and premature failure of the center differential or transfer clutch. If one tire is destroyed and the others have significant wear, you must either replace all four tires or have the single new tire "shaved" down to match the others.

Outer Edge Wear: Foresters can occasionally suffer from accelerated wear on the outer shoulders of the front tires. This is usually caused by taking corners too aggressively, but it can also indicate a need for a four-wheel alignment. We recommend an alignment check once a year or whenever you install new tires.

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