Many Subaru Outback drivers chose their vehicle because of its symmetrical all-wheel drive that provides great accelerating and cornering grip in the rain and snow. With all of its advantages, the Outback is still limited by the amount of grip available with each tire. The right snow tire will let you take your vehicle even further.
To gain a better understanding of which snow tire will work best for your vehicle, read "Which Snow Tire: Studless Ice and Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow or Performance Winter / Snow?" Given the vehicle's moderate weight, all-wheel drive dynamics and go-anywhere intentions, I would recommend a Studless Ice and Snow tire.
Snow Tire Sizes
The ideal winter tire size for 2010+ Outbacks with a 2.5L engine is 215/70-16. This size is narrow enough to cut through moderate and deep snow and wide enough to handle hard-packed snow, ice and dry roads. Outbacks with a 3.6L engine should run 225/60-17 as 16" wheels won't clear the larger brakes of the 3.6L Outback.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Each wheel has a valve stem-mounted TPMS sensor that you can run with or without for winter driving. If you decide to run without the TPMS sensors, you'll see a warning light, but there are no functional issues associated with the light. And if you're in need of O.E. TPMS sensors, we have them available for $36* each. Your Subaru dealer will have to initialize your winter sensors in the fall and your summer sensors in the spring. For a better understanding on using TPMS sensors, read "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Servicing."
Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for 3.6L Outbacks
For 3.6L engine Outbacks, one of the best package options is the 225/60R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 on 17x7.5" Sport Edition A7 wheels at $936** plus shipping. The Blizzak WS70 uses Bridgestone's NanoPro-Tech silica-enhanced Tube Multicell compound for superior ice and packed-snow grip.
*Prices subject to change
**Excluding TPMS sensors
Thinking of going to a
winter set-up on your Toyota,
Honda or Lexus and really don't want to add a tire pressure monitoring system sensors to your new wheels because you'll have to go back to your dealer for calibration?
To date, these states require that your TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) always be functional!
- HAWAII
- RHODE ISLAND
- VERMONT
- WEST VIRGINIA
So what should you do if you really love the idea of a simple Sport Edition wheel with
Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 winter / snow tires on your 2010 Toyota Camry, but you really don't want to spend the money for the sensors and calibration.
You are going to have to bite the bullet and maintain the functionality of the TPMS. Depending on your vehicle, there may even be some do-it-yourself calibration tools available so you don't have to pay a visit to the dealership. But in the end, you are safer and your tires will perform at their best when your system is properly calibrated and tire pressures are monitored and remain at optimum levels. And with tires optimized for the season, too, it's a win-win situation.
A recent consumer review told this story:
"I bought these for a separate set of winter wheels (17s for a BMW 3 Series). My rating is relative to the season, of course. We got record snow in SD last season (about 7 feet over the season). Many of these were heavy/wet snow. I drove the car on several occasions when I probably shouldn't have, but I never got stuck. I changed out my 18" Michelin Pilot Sports on a night with light snow and ice. I could barely move w/the summer tires. I took the car out immediately after the tire change to compare and practically felt like AWD. Of course, you can break them loose and get the car unstable if you try, but they are outstanding for heavy-weather conditions. I had a hard time justifying the price, but I am POSITIVE that they saved me a tow bill or two, and consistently got me where I was going every time (which is worth a little extra, to me). I don't drive much in the winter, but I can barely see any wear on rears (fronts still look new). On dry roads and warmer conditions (30+ degrees), they can be choppy in the corners, but they aren't meant for being aggressive on dry roads, so that is to be expected. Overall, they are VERY GOOD winter tires."
This customer was reviewing the
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 which is still available in limited sizes and also available for some BMW and Miata fitments in a
run-flat tire option. The Blizzak LM-25 has been replaced by the
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60.
I share the contents of this consumer review not to rave about how good the tire is, but to illustrate the concept of a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. This reviewer was able to wait until snow hit and then change into his winter tires on his time frame and didn't have to pay ($15-$20 per tire) to get them switched at the dealer. (If you are on summer tires, I would recommend switching when the temperatures start to get below 40 degrees.) When switching to a winter package, it's recommended to choose a shorter wheel to get better traction from a slightly narrower tire. A winter package allows owners of sport coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUV vehicles who live in colder climates the ability to get the most out of their vehicle with the tire that can give the most performance relative to the season.
Build your own
Winter Tire & Wheel Package if you like or look at our
Preferred Package (available for most vehicles).
Audi A4s are sleek, sophisticated vehicles—which is why they should roll on an equally sleek and sophisticated set of A4 tires and wheels.
Your options are virtually endless, and at
Tire Rack, we do our best to help you narrow it down. We'll produce a list if you
search by vehicle. And because we like to play in our own on-site garage, we can even show you a picture or two.
Take a look at the A4 at right. We upped the ante a bit with some
O.Z. Energy wheels, and as your Bridgestone tire dealers, we chose a set of
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires to match. As Max Performance Summer tires, they top off the sporty look of this Tire & Wheel Package.
Every Firestone truck tire is backed by over 100 years of industry research and manufacturing excellence. And since 1970, they've been backed by a monster as well. Yes, a monster. And today, Bridgestone Firestone announces a development in that monster/tire relationship.
Of course, the monster we speak of is none other than Bigfoot, the world's first monster truck. It doesn't fit just any old Firestone truck tire, but Bigfoot does use special edition Firestone tires. And has been since 1991. Though that won't be changing anytime soon, Bigfoot did just get a face-lift. According to Bridgestone Firestone, Bigfoot is now "emblazoned with the iconic Firestone shield in a dramatic new paint scheme designed to evoke the pride and tradition of the Firestone brand."
So keep your eyes peeled for Bigfoot—it likes to show up at Firestone tire dealers every so often.
See all Firestone tires at Tire Rack.
"I bought the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires in the hopes " Tire Rack Consumer Review, Honda Accord, KS
As you can see, the consumer response to the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tire is quite positive. And our Real World Road Ride and Performance Track Test (
"Is Platinum the New Gold Standard in Grand Touring All-Season Tires?") confirmed it. As your Bridgestone tire dealers, we can honestly say that the Serenity is an excellent choice for sporty coupe and luxury performance sedan drivers who seek a refined ride with good wet traction.
See all Bridgestone tires.Read more Bridgestone tire reviews.
A customer emailed me today about a bubble on the sidewall of one of his
Bridgestone Blizzak Winter Tires. He thought it may have been a defect in the tire. What he actually has was a sidewall bubble.
What is a sidewall bubble?
A sidewall bubble is a bulge protruding from the sidewall of the tire. It is caused by air leaking from the inside of the tire into the carcass or body of the tire.
What causes a sidewall bubble? The vast majority of bubbles are caused by impact damage. When a tire hits a sharp object in the road the force from the weight and speed of the vehicle is focused in the small area of contact. This compresses the tire enough that the inside of the sidewall is pinched and damaged causing a small hole in the inside tire liner layer. The impact can also damage the sidewall cords and significantly weaken the tire. The impact may not have been noticed by the driver.
Some common types of impact are:
- potholes
- railroad crossings
- speed bumps
- curbs
- heavily damaged roads
- road construction areas
- debris in the road
Occasionally a defect in the tire can cause the bubble. Determining the cause is fairly simple. Inspect the outside of the tire for obvious cuts or bruises.
When the tire is removed for replacement:
- Mark the area where the bubble is (it will deflate when the tire is deflated.)
- Inspect the bead area for cuts or abrasions
- Inspect the inner liner for cuts or bruises. The technician will need to press inwards on the area of the bubble to find any breaks in the inner liner.
If no damage is found, a claim will need to be submitted by an authorized dealer to the tire manufacturer. The tire manufacturer may need to inspect the tire as well to make a warranty determination. Each tire manufacturer's procedures differ slightly.
Are winter tires prone to bubbles? Any tire can fall victim to bubbles, but tires with shorter sidewalls (low profile) are more easily damaged.
Can they be repaired? No, unfortunately sidewall bubbles cannot be repaired. Because the area flexes while driving a patch will not stay in place. The bubble also indicates there is structural damage to the tire that cannot be repaired. A tire in this condition could fail without warning and should not be driven on. We recommend the spare tire be used until a replacement can be found. The tire must be replaced.
