2025 Subaru Forester — Tire Size, Pressure, Bolt Pattern & Wheel Specs

Quick answer

• OEM tire size: 225/60R17 (Base, Premium); 225/55R18 (Sport, Limited, Touring). Wilderness typically runs 225/60R17 all‑terrain.
• Recommended cold tire pressure (door placard): 33 psi front / 33 psi rear on most trims; some 18-inch packages list 35/35 psi. Expect 33–35 psi F/R depending on trim and tire.
• Bolt pattern: 5x100 (5-lug on 100 mm circle)
• Wheel size and offset: 17x7J or 18x7J; typical offset +48 to +55 mm; hub bore 56.1 mm
• Load index / speed rating (OEM): usually 98–100 H; Wilderness A/T fitments often 99T–103H (some XL)
• Spare tire size: compact temporary 17-inch; commonly T145/70D17 or T135/80D17 (verify in cargo well). Some packages may vary.
• TPMS frequency: 433 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

Trim (2025)	Wheel size	Factory tire size	Placard PSI (F/R)	Typical load/speed
Base	17x7J	225/60R17	33/33 psi (range 33–35)	99H (98–100H common)
Premium	17x7J	225/60R17	33/33 psi (range 33–35)	99H (98–100H common)
Sport	18x7J	225/55R18	33–35/33–35 psi	98–100H
Limited	18x7J	225/55R18	33–35/33–35 psi	98–100H
Touring	18x7J	225/55R18	33–35/33–35 psi	98–100H
Wilderness	17x7J	225/60R17 (A/T)	33/33 psi typical	99T–103H (often XL)

Notes:

• Door‑placard pressures can vary slightly by market and tire load rating. Always follow the sticker on your driver’s door jamb.
• Offset and centerbore are provided as typical Subaru specs; verify clearance if changing wheel widths/offsets.

Recommended replacement tires

Budget/value

• General Altimax RT45 (225/60R17, 225/55R18): Comfortable, good wet grip, long treadlife at a friendly price.
• Kumho Crugen HP71 (both sizes): Quiet highway manners and strong rain performance for crossovers.

Mid-tier

• Continental CrossContact LX25 (both sizes): Excellent wet braking and refined ride; great daily-driver choice.
• Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 (both sizes): Strong snow traction for an all-season and very even wear.

Premium

• Michelin CrossClimate 2 (both sizes): All‑weather standout with snow certification, top-tier braking and handling.

Adventure/All‑Terrain (Wilderness or off‑pavement use)

• Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 (225/60R17): Durable A/T with winter‑friendly compound; common OE‑style upgrade.
• Falken WildPeak A/T Trail (225/60R17): Trail‑capable yet civilized on-road; 3PMSF severe‑snow rated.

Tip: Forester’s AWD demands closely matched tread depths. Replace in sets of four when possible, or ensure the circumference difference stays within Subaru’s allowance if pairing new with worn.

When to inflate to max load psi

This doesn’t apply—Forester is a light crossover, not an HD truck. Do not set tire pressure to the sidewall “max” unless directed by the vehicle manufacturer. Use the door‑placard PSI (typically 33–35 psi) for everyday driving, adjusting a couple PSI up or down only for load, speed, or temperature swings.

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Bolt pattern: 5x100
• Lug nut thread: M12 x 1.25
• Torque spec: 89 lb‑ft (120 N·m) on clean, dry studs. Re‑torque after 50–100 miles whenever wheels are removed.
• Mounting pattern: 5‑lug star/alternate pattern to seat the wheel evenly.

Wheel fitment pointers

• OEM wheel sizes: 17x7J and 18x7J
• Typical offset: +48 to +55 mm
• Hub bore: 56.1 mm If upsizing/downsizing, maintain overall diameter near OEM (≈27.6 in for 225/60R17; ≈27.7 in for 225/55R18) to keep speedometer and AWD happy.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

• Uneven wear from missed rotations: Rotate every 6,000–7,500 miles to protect the AWD system.
• Inner/outer shoulder wear: Watch alignment, especially rear toe after curb or pothole impacts.
• Cupping/feathering on rough roads: Keep shocks/struts healthy and tires balanced; A/T tread can be noisier as it ages.
• TPMS service: 2025 Forester uses 433 MHz sensors. When adding a second wheel set, match frequency and perform sensor ID registration with a scan tool.
• Winter readiness: Even with AWD, dedicated winter tires markedly improve braking and steering on ice/snow. Popular sizes match OEM: 225/60R17 or 225/55R18.
• 18-inch wheel vulnerability: Lower profile 225/55R18 tires are stiffer; use correct PSI and avoid potholes to reduce bend/sidewall damage.

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