Yes, a different tire brand may be used, but Subaru strongly recommends matching the original tire’s size and style. Tire tread depth also matters on an AWD vehicle, yet the available Subaru guidance does not set one universal allowable tread-depth difference for every model. Check the tire placard and owner’s manual for your exact Subaru, and ask an authorized retailer if fitment is uncertain.
What Subaru recommends when replacing tires
Subaru recommends replacing tires with the same tires originally equipped. If you choose another brand, Subaru Customer Self-Service says Subaru “strongly recommend[s] that you use the same size/style as originally equipped.” Subaru Customer Self-Service directs owners to the vehicle’s owner’s manual and an authorized retailer for vehicle-specific guidance.
Subaru also says the factory-trained teams at local retailers can identify the specific tires the vehicle was designed to use. Confirm fitment for your Subaru’s year, model, and trim rather than relying on a general recommendation or a tire that merely appears to fit. Subaru’s tire replacement guidance also recommends regular pressure checks and tire rotations at the intervals in the Warranty & Maintenance Booklet.
Can you mix tire brands on a Subaru AWD?
A different brand is not automatically ruled out by Subaru’s general recommendation, but brand alone is not enough to determine whether a tire is suitable. Match the original size and style, and check the tire type, design, and inflation pressure against the vehicle’s placard and manual. Tire Rack’s general guidance likewise favors tires of the same type and design, with the same tread depth, and inflation to the pressure specified on the placard or in the manual. That is general tire guidance, not a Subaru-wide compatibility rule or numerical tolerance. Tire Rack’s tire tread-depth guidance
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Can Subaru AWD tires have different tread depths?
The cited guidance does not establish a single maximum tread-depth difference that applies to every Subaru AWD vehicle. Do not treat a generic tread-depth recommendation as a guarantee that a particular set of tires is acceptable for your model. Tire diameter, tread depth, tire type and design, and pressure are all relevant; the exact vehicle’s manual and placard should guide the decision.
Subaru manuals warn about tire-diameter differences, but the language and application can vary by manual edition and vehicle. One cited manual edition warns that incorrect tire pressures and/or tires that are not all the same size and brand can heavily load the rear differential while driving. It also describes the AWD warning light flashing when tires of different diameters are fitted or tire pressure is excessively low. Do not assume this exact wording or drivetrain description applies to every Subaru model year. The cited Subaru owner’s manual edition
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What to check before fitting replacement tires
- Read the tire placard. Use the information on your vehicle’s placard to confirm the specified tire size and inflation pressure.
- Check the owner’s manual. Look for the tire replacement and AWD guidance that applies to your exact model year and vehicle.
- Compare the replacement tires. Check size, style or type, design, tread depth, and pressure against the original equipment and vehicle specifications.
- Ask an authorized Subaru retailer when uncertain. Provide the vehicle’s year, model, and trim, and ask whether the proposed tires are appropriate for it.
What to do if the AWD warning light flashes
If the AWD warning light flashes after a tire mismatch or pressure problem, consult the owner’s manual for your exact vehicle and have the car checked promptly. The cited manual edition warns that continuing to drive with a flashing AWD warning can lead to powertrain damage. Because manual wording and systems differ across model years, follow the instructions for your vehicle rather than assuming another Subaru’s manual applies.
Quick Recap
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- 2" SST lift kit for 20202023 Subaru Outback
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- 2.0" SST Lift Kit - 2015-19 Subaru Outback
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- 2" lift kit for 20192023 Subaru Forester
- Easy bolton installation
- 2.0" front and 1.5" rear lift
- Offset spacer design for correct caster/camber
- Allows for 225/6517 tires with no rubbing
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