2020 Subaru Outback — Tire Size, Pressure & Wheel Specs

Quick answer

• OEM tire size: 225/65R17 (Base, Premium); 225/60R18 (Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, Touring XT)
• Recommended cold tire pressure (door placard): typically 35 psi front / 35 psi rear; some placards show 33–35 psi depending on trim and tire. Always follow your specific door label.
• Bolt pattern: 5x114.3 mm (5x4.5")
• Factory wheel size/offset: 17x7 ET +55; 18x7 ET +55 (offset approx. +55 mm)
• Load index & speed rating (OEM): commonly 102H (225/65R17) and 100H (225/60R18); some markets may list V-rated options. Expect 100–102 load index, H–V speed rating.
• Spare tire size: compact temporary spare on 17-inch rim, typically T145/80D17; some vehicles may use T135/80D17. Verify the sidewall in your cargo well.
• TPMS sensor frequency: 433 MHz (most 2020 Outbacks; verify before ordering sensors)

Tire sizes by trim

Notes:

• Door placard pressures may vary slightly (33–35 psi) based on tire brand and market. Use the label on your driver’s door jamb as the final word.
• Bolt pattern is 5x114.3 mm for all trims; center bore 56.1 mm; lug thread M12x1.25.

Recommended replacement tires

• Premium all-weather: Michelin CrossClimate2 — Exceptional wet/snow grip and braking with long tread life; available in 225/65R17 and 225/60R18. Price tier: premium.
• Touring all-season: Continental CrossContact LX25 — Quiet, comfortable, and strong wet performance; great OE+ replacement. Price tier: upper mid.
• Budget-friendly all-season: General AltiMax RT45 — Solid value, confident wet traction, good wear for the money. Price tier: budget–mid.
• Mild all-terrain (AWD adventure): Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 (SL load) — Light off‑road capability with highway manners; winter rated (3PMSF) in many sizes. Price tier: mid.
• Dedicated winter: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 — Class‑leading ice/snow traction for harsh winters; mount seasonally on all four corners. Price tier: mid–premium.

Tip: Stick with the OEM load index (100–102) and at least H speed rating unless your door placard specifies otherwise. Prices vary by market, but expect roughly: budget $130–$170, mid $170–$220, premium $220–$280 per tire in these sizes.

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

The 2020 Subaru Outback is not an HD truck, so do not use the “max pressure” printed on the tire sidewall for everyday driving. Use the door‑placard pressures. You might increase a few psi (within placard range) only when towing or carrying heavy cargo, then return to normal afterward.

Lug nut torque & pattern

• Lug nut torque: 89 ft‑lb (120 N·m)
• Lug pattern: 5-lug star/crisscross sequence
• Wheel/hub details: 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern, 56.1 mm center bore, M12x1.25 lug threads. Factory offset is approximately +55 mm on both 17" and 18" OE wheels.

Retorque after 50–100 miles following any wheel or tire service.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

• AWD tire diameter matching: Subaru’s AWD can be sensitive to diameter differences. Keep tires within 2/32 in tread depth of each other; replace in sets of four when possible, or shave a new tire to match if only one is damaged.
• Inner/outer shoulder wear: Often caused by alignment drift or underinflation. Rotate every 6,000–7,500 miles and check alignment annually or after impacts.
• Road noise as tires age: Some OE and replacement all‑seasons can get noisy around mid‑life. Regular rotations and maintaining proper PSI help even the wear.
• TPMS service: 2020 uses direct TPMS (433 MHz). When adding a second set of wheels, use compatible 433 MHz sensors; most shops can register them or the car can auto‑learn after driving.
• Winter performance: All‑seasons vary widely in snow/ice. If you see regular winter weather, consider a 3PMSF all‑weather (e.g., CrossClimate2) or dedicated winters on their own wheels for easy seasonal swaps.

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