2015 Subaru Outback Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

As an ASE-certified master technician, I see plenty of 2015 Subaru Outbacks roll into the shop. This generation marked a significant step forward in refinement for Subaru’s flagship wagon-turned-crossover, making it a favorite for both daily commuting and weekend adventures. Equipping your Outback with the right tires—and keeping them properly inflated—is critical to maintaining its legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, fuel economy, and handling.

Here is your comprehensive guide to the 2015 Subaru Outback tire sizes, pressures, and wheel specifications.

Quick answer: 2015 Subaru Outback Tire & Wheel Specs

• OEM tire size: 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 (depending on trim)
• Recommended cold tire pressure: 35 PSI Front / 33 PSI Rear (always verify with the driver's side door jamb placard)
• Bolt pattern: 5x114.3 (Note: Subaru switched from 5x100 to 5x114.3 starting with the 2015 Outback)
• Wheel size: 17x7.0" or 18x7.0" (Offset: +55mm)
• Load index/speed rating: 102H (17-inch) or 100H (18-inch)
• Spare tire size: T155/80R17 (temporary compact spare)
• TPMS frequency: 315 MHz or 433 MHz (varies by production date; 315 MHz is most common)

Tire sizes by trim

For the 2015 model year, the Outback kept things relatively simple with two main wheel and tire setups across its four trim levels.

Note: All 2015 Outbacks require tires with at least an "H" speed rating (up to 130 mph).

Recommended replacement tires

If you are due for a new set of tires, matching your tread to your driving style is key. Because this is an AWD vehicle, you must replace all four tires at the same time to prevent damage to the drivetrain. Here are a few top picks:

• Michelin CrossClimate2 (Premium): An exceptional all-weather tire that performs remarkably well in snow while maintaining excellent tread life and ride comfort. Perfect for standard daily driving.
• Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (Mid-Tier / Adventure): Specifically designed for crossovers. If you take your Outback camping or down dirt roads, this tire gives you aggressive styling and off-road grip without ruining highway fuel economy.
• General AltiMAX RT45 (Budget-Friendly): A highly rated touring tire that offers a quiet ride, good all-season traction, and a solid treadwear warranty at a lower price point.

When to inflate to max load psi (HD trucks only)

While heavy-duty trucks often require adjusting tire pressures to their maximum sidewall PSI when towing heavy loads, this does not apply to the 2015 Subaru Outback.

Because the Outback is a passenger crossover and not a heavy-duty truck, you should stick to the recommended pressures on the door placard (typically 35 PSI front / 33 PSI rear). Inflating your Outback's tires to the maximum PSI listed on the tire sidewall (often 44 or 51 PSI) will result in a harsh ride, premature center tread wear, and a smaller contact patch that compromises braking and handling. If you are fully loaded with cargo and passengers, you may safely bump the rear pressure up by 1-2 PSI, but never exceed the max sidewall rating.

Lug nut torque & pattern

If you are removing the wheels to rotate the tires or perform brake work, getting the torque right is vital to prevent warped brake rotors or loose wheels.

• Bolt Pattern: 5x114.3 (5x4.5")
• Lug Nut Torque: 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm)
• Thread Pitch: M12 x 1.25

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

Common tire issues for this vehicle

1. AWD System Tread Depth Sensitivity: Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system is highly sensitive to mismatched tire circumferences. The difference in tread depth across all four tires must be no more than 2/32 of an inch. If one tire is damaged and cannot be patched, you must either buy a full set of four or buy a single new tire and have it "shaved" down to match the tread depth of the remaining three.
2. Uneven Wear from Alignment: The Outback's rear suspension can occasionally fall out of alignment as bushings age, leading to inner edge tire wear. I highly recommend a four-wheel alignment every time you purchase new tires.
3. TPMS Sensor Battery Failure: At this age, the original TPMS sensors inside the wheels are likely reaching the end of their 7-to-10-year battery life. If your tire pressure light flashes for 60 seconds upon startup before staying solid, a sensor battery is dead and needs replacement.

Need new tires? Find a trusted shop on Repairius.