Winter Wheel/Tire Questions

Last weekend I found out my 16" winter tires/rims from my 2012 Legacy do not fit my new 2020 Limited XT. Tire diameter was pretty close, but the wheel lug pattern is a larger diameter on the new car.

 

 

Fast forward to today, I picked up some Michelin XIce 225/50R18 tires and want to get them on some steel rims so I don't have to pay to swap them twice a year, so a few questions:

 

 

1. Is the Subaru wheel lug pattern a standard wheel pattern? Are there specific rims for Subaru?

2. Anyone purchased 18" steel rims for their car before? Any suggestions where to find them? Having a hell of a time finding them in that size. Dunn Tire told me it woudl be after winter to get them.

 

3. Are the tire pressure sensors universal or specific to Subaru? Dunn Tire wants $65 per sensor, hoping to find them elsewhere.

try http://www.tirerack.com

 

You'll need to get the TPMS or just do what I do. put a piece of black electrical tape over that light on the dash. My 09 has had tape there for almost 4 years now. After mounting new tires, the light came on two weeks later, seems two of the sensor had dead batteries.

 

Also when swapping between winters and summers the OEM winter wheels would need to have the sensors scanned and reprogramed the car.

 

The black tape is much less hassle.

 

 

One idea is mount the snows on the OEM rims and buy some nice rims for the summer tires.

 

FWIW, both my Legacy's have two sets of OEM wheels.

You should be able to find universal sensors. Maybe give one of the companies below a call if you want to be extra safe and verify fitment. It's unclear to me after searching whether you need 315mhz sensors, or 433mhz sensors.

 

https://www.redi-sensor.com/

 

https://catalogue.schradertpms.com/en-US/2020/subaru/legacy.html

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/schrader,28203,tire+pressure+monitoring+system+(tpms)+sensor,12036

 

The two programmable sensors below can work on both 315 and 433mhz, but I don't know if the shop will be able to program schrader brand, or like you bringing your own sensors.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/schrader,33500,tire+pressure+monitoring+system+(tpms)+sensor,12036

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/schrader,33700,tire+pressure+monitoring+system+(tpms)+sensor,12036

 

by the way.. $111, what is subaru smoking..

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2020_Legacy-24L-CVT-4WD-Limited/Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-Sensor/75722782/28103FL00B.html

1. 5x114.3 is the lug pattern for all newer models

I believe it's a 56.1 center bore if you're looking for aftermarkets.

 

2. Haven't purchased steelies. I'd suggest you just find a set of oem wheels and put snow tires on.

 

3. Forget tpms. They aren't essential to anything.

 

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Edited December 8, 2020 by Zack Spec B

I purchased 17'' steelies from my dealer and put 225/55-17 winter tires on my Limited that has OEM 225/50-18. I doubt 18'' steelies are available for Subaru's, and for most cars actually. Fortunately, TPMS sensors are not mandatory in Canada and Subaru was wise enough not to put any in our cars... BTW, clearance for the front brake calipers is very small with the 17'' wheels.