New OB and Forester

[LarryIII]

We have been looking to replace our 2007 OB XT with either a 2015 OB 3.6R or a Forester Touring ( turbo engine). Each model has 18" wheel and tires yet comes with a 17" spare doughnut. None of the idiot salesmen at several Suby dealerships have been able to explain this or how it will affect the AWD components. It is not tire sidewall ratio item. I checked and the regular tires and spare are NOT equal dia. Maybe someone here can explain it.

[Wikedjuggalo]

I don't think most cars (AWD or not) come with same size spares. I know my XT doesn't have a same size. It specifically states to place it on the rear so I don't think it being smaller is going to be that bad unless you drive it far with a spare. Subaru wouldn't put a spare that would damage the transmission right way from use. The idea is temporary use, I'd probably only use it to get a freeway or somewhere I can get a tow from (or reach home if close).

[Blacky]

The 17 inch wheel will have a tire with a larger sidewall so it comes out to the same diameter.
Same idea as using taller, narrower tires on smaller rims for snow.

[LarryIII]

Your explanation is what I thought too, until I checked the tire sizes. The doughnut has about 3/8" smaller OD than the regular tires. I don't know if this small difference is enough to harm the AWD components.

[Blacky]

The safe number used to be 1/4 inch difference in circumference.
3/8 in diameter is huge.

[Landshark]

for TEMPORARY use to get you home/somewhere safe to replace the tire.


not for driving ghetto-style on it for 6 months.

[LarryIII]

I just went on the Subaru Off-Road site and the consensus there was that the different sized tire (spare doughnut) should only be put on the front axle since Subys have an open differential in the front and an LSD in the rear.
Also, driving with 2 different sized tires on the front should be very limited.

This makes sense to me.

My thanks to all who responded to my original post. I guess this forum knows more about the Suby cars than most salesmen employed at Subaru dealerships. That is a sad state of affairs IMHO.

[Landshark]

at least Subaru is offering a spare. seems like most cars now come with a can of fix-a-flat .... if you're lucky.

[Lookin4SVX]

First thing I do when I get a new car now is remove the jack and spare tire.
I have AAA, I don't drive on doughnuts, I just call for a flatbed.

In 20 years I have had to replace a tire once, and that was back in 1995..
After that first time of trying to get the jack under the car in the mud in the poring rain, I said screw it and got AAA.
Never looked back.

I called AAA for a flatbed for a blown tire 4 times so far in the last 20 years.
Two of them damage was so bad I needed a new wheel, on a Corsica and Caviler.
Them chevy understeer bad, plowed into curbs with the wheel turned, bending wheels and control arms..

[immortal_suby]

I grew up watching the Duke boys change a flat on the General Lee faster than you can expect any truck to show up from AAA. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but the car is going to have to be well beyond my skills before I call them. I hate donuts, but they are better than admitting defeat with a flatbed.

[SVXBart]

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

I grew up watching the Duke boys change a flat on the General Lee faster than you can expect any truck to show up from AAA. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but the car is going to have to be well beyond my skills before I call them. I hate donuts, but they are better than admitting defeat with a flatbed.

second that!

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

I grew up watching the Duke boys change a flat on the General Lee faster than you can expect any truck to show up from AAA. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but the car is going to have to be well beyond my skills before I call them. I hate donuts, but they are better than admitting defeat with a flatbed.

i was on my way to a final exam when i got my first flat at age 19.

was not late for the test.

[WYOSVX]

Originally Posted by Lookin4SVX

First thing I do when I get a new car now is remove the jack and spare tire.
I have AAA, I don't drive on doughnuts, I just call for a flatbed.

In 20 years I have had to replace a tire once, and that was back in 1995..
After that first time of trying to get the jack under the car in the mud in the poring rain, I said screw it and got AAA.
Never looked back.

I called AAA for a flatbed for a blown tire 4 times so far in the last 20 years.
Two of them damage was so bad I needed a new wheel, on a Corsica and Caviler.
Them chevy understeer bad, plowed into curbs with the wheel turned, bending wheels and control arms..

When I was a poor college student, I had AAA. I changed my flats to save my tows for more serious things. Now, I have AAA Plus and will change a flat if I get one AND it is safe to do so. In the past 20 years, or so, I've only had to change two flats by the road and one was on a trailer.

I like the idea of calling AAA for a flat, now, more than ever. With distracted driving being epidemic, it might be the only safe choice. Just depends on the circumstance. I had a friend who spent about 4 months in a hospital, then years in PT recovering from changing a tire on the same lonely road as a drunk driver.

I think it's good to be reasonably ready for anything. Donut, flatfix, AAA, and stay out of the way of distracted drivers.

[LarryIII]

Someday, I'll tell you guys why I cursed out AAA at the top of my voice in the lobby of their office building in center city Phila.

[SVXBart]

Originally Posted by LarryIII

Someday, I'll tell you guys why I cursed out AAA at the top of my voice in the lobby of their office building in center city Phila.

Reading is coming.
I will be there to listen.