2024 Subaru Forester Tire Size & Pressure Guide

As an ASE-certified master technician, I regularly see the 2024 Subaru Forester roll into the bay for routine maintenance, tire rotations, and seasonal changeovers. Ensuring you have the correct tire size, pressure, and wheel specifications is crucial for maintaining Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Below is your comprehensive guide to the 2024 Subaru Forester’s tire and wheel specs.

Quick answer

Here are the essential tire and wheel specifications for the 2024 Subaru Forester:

• OEM tire size: 225/60R17 (Base, Premium, Wilderness) or 225/55R18 (Sport, Limited, Touring)
• Recommended cold tire pressure (front/rear): 33 psi front / 32 psi rear (check your driver's side door jamb placard for your specific trim, as the Wilderness trim may recommend 35 psi front / 33 psi rear)
• Bolt pattern: 5x114.3 (5x4.5")
• Wheel size: 17x7.0J or 18x7.0J (Offset: +48mm)
• Load index/speed rating: 99H (Standard 17"), 98H (Standard 18"), or 99T (Wilderness All-Terrain)
• Spare tire size: T145/80D17 compact spare (Note: The Wilderness trim includes a full-size spare tire)
• TPMS frequency: 433 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

Tire sizes vary depending on the trim level of your 2024 Forester. Using the correct size ensures accurate speedometer readings and proper AWD functionality.

Recommended replacement tires

When it is time to replace the factory rubber, maintaining all four tires at the same tread depth is critical for Subaru's AWD system. Here are a few top-rated options based on driving needs:

1. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (Mid-Tier to Premium): Excellent for Forester owners who want mild off-road capability without sacrificing on-road comfort. This is the OEM choice for the Wilderness trim and an easy upgrade for others.
2. Michelin CrossClimate2 (Premium): A top-tier all-weather tire. If you live in an area with heavy rain or light-to-moderate snow but don't want dedicated winter tires, these offer incredible grip.
3. Yokohama Geolandar G91 (Mid-Tier): A direct OEM replacement for many Forester trims. Offers a quiet ride, good tread life, and reliable everyday performance.
4. General AltiMAX RT45 (Budget-Friendly): A highly rated, cost-effective all-season tire that delivers reliable wet and dry traction with a long-lasting tread warranty.

When to inflate to max load psi

Note: This section typically applies to HD trucks only. Because the 2024 Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV and not a Heavy-Duty (HD) truck, you do not need to inflate your tires to an extreme "max load" PSI (such as 80 psi) when hauling. Always stick closely to the door placard rating of 33-35 psi. If you have a fully loaded cabin and cargo area, you may increase the rear tire pressure by 1-2 psi to accommodate the extra weight, but never exceed the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall (usually around 44-51 psi for passenger tires).

Lug nut torque & pattern

Proper wheel installation prevents brake rotor warping and ensures wheel security.

• Bolt Pattern: 5x114.3
• Lug Nut Thread Size: M12 x 1.25
• Lug Nut Torque: 89 lb-ft (120 Nm)

Always use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern when tightening the lug nuts. Do not use an impact wrench for the final torque sequence.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

1. AWD System Sensitivity: The biggest issue with the Forester (and all Subarus) is tread depth variance. All four tires must be within 2/32nds of an inch of each other. If one tire is destroyed and the others are worn, you must either replace all four tires or have the single new tire "shaved" down to match the remaining three. Failing to do so can burn out the center differential.
2. Irregular Wear: Due to the Forester's suspension geometry, lack of regular tire rotations (recommended every 5,000 to 6,000 miles) will lead to cupping and accelerated inner tread wear.
3. TPMS Sensor Battery Life: The 433 MHz TPMS sensors are generally robust, but replacing them when getting your second set of replacement tires (around the 6-8 year mark) is recommended to prevent unexpected battery failures.

Need new tires? Find a trusted shop on Repairius.