Factory tires...Ok for snow?

[email protected] said:

We were told the ascent comes with Falken All-Season tires, does anyone know the exact model? Are these any good in the snow?

Click to expand...

Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S. The tires are the same as offered OEM on the 2018+ 18" wheel equipped Crosstrek, so you can probably look into reviews from those owners. Also, you can look here for more info, although there aren't many reviews. Tire Rack Falken Ziex ZE001 AS

A/S tires are typically adequate for winter driving (especially with AWD for the situations it helps) but as with any all-season tire, a dedicated set of specific winter tires will be the best performing in show.

It's a brand new tire and it looks like there aren't any reviews out for it yet. What part of the country do you live in? If you're somewhere that gets moderate to heavy snow and your job requires you to drive to work in inclement weather with no telecommute options then I'd say get dedicated winter tires. The all seasons will last longer and you'll have grip for days if there's snow on the ground.

Hopefully these are better than the stock re-92's on the old wrx's... Those things were scary. I couldnt wait to replace those tires.

Meeko6983 said:

It's a brand new tire and it looks like there aren't any reviews out for it yet. What part of the country do you live in? If you're somewhere that gets moderate to heavy snow and your job requires you to drive to work in inclement weather with no telecommute options then I'd say get dedicated winter tires. The all seasons will last longer and you'll have grip for days if there's snow on the ground.

Click to expand...

Yeah...I live in Denver so I think we will be investing in some good winter tires. We previously had a Hyundai and the factory tires were terrible so we bought some amazing snow tires but I dont think those will fit on this car. We were hoping Subaru would put some decent tires on this car since you know...its subaru. A little disappointed in them for this...but the rest of the car is amazing. Is it September yet? I WANT MY ASCENT!!!

Definitely get a dedicated winter tire then. No A/S tire can even come close to the grip a winter will give you in snow and ice.

Also in CO and planning on a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels. For 20" OEMs, are people planning to size down to the 18s for winter? Looks like a couple of good package options on Tire Rack already.

zegilbert said:

Also in CO and planning on a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels. For 20" OEMs, are people planning to size down to the 18s for winter? Looks like a couple of good package options on Tire Rack already.

Click to expand...

Yeah I built a package with some Blizzaks for about $1200...they were amazing on my previous car. I just wish we could select stock steel for the wheels to save some money. I am having a hard time selling my winter tire/wheels for my old car...Every shop I call says they dont buy used winter tires anymore because the winters in Denver are so mild now.

[email protected] said:

I am having a hard time selling my winter tire/wheels for my old car...Every shop I call says they dont buy used winter tires anymore because the winters in Denver are so mild now.

Click to expand...

I sold my last set with my car - to some folks in Telluride - still getting real winters over there...

zegilbert said:

Also in CO and planning on a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels. For 20" OEMs, are people planning to size down to the 18s for winter? Looks like a couple of good package options on Tire Rack already.

Click to expand...

I'm personally going to stick with OEM size and just have costco do the change over twice a year. They only charge like $40 each changeover. If you plan on keeping the vehicle for 6 or more years then it's probably worth it to have a dedicated winter wheels and tires set.

Meeko6983 said:

I'm personally going to stick with OEM size and just have costco do the change over twice a year. They only charge like $40 each changeover. If you plan on keeping the vehicle for 6 or more years then it's probably worth it to have a dedicated winter wheels and tires set.

Click to expand...

I've been changing my own for a few years on my Audi A3 and VW Tiguan - but haven't had to deal with TPMS yet. If I have Tire Rack add the TPMS sensors, not sure if that means I can still do the change - or whether I have to have it done at the shop.

zegilbert said:

I've been changing my own for a few years on my Audi A3 and VW Tiguan - but haven't had to deal with TPMS yet. If I have Tire Rack add the TPMS sensors, not sure if that means I can still do the change - or whether I have to have it done at the shop.

Click to expand...

For all the Subarus I've owned, I haven't ever bothered getting the TPMS for my winter tires. I just drive with the TPMS light on. It's really not worth it to spend the money.

The OEM's pattern kind of looks like all-weathers?

All seasons = no season. I think these tires are going to be terrible in snow just based on there performance in warm weather wet. Maybe I'll eat my words but I'm def going to get a dedicated set of winters. we have nearly 6 months of cold, wet, snow, ice and dealing with crappy tires for that long is not fun. Why do i live here again?!?!

Burutoo said:

All seasons = no season. I think these tires are going to be terrible in snow just based on there performance in warm weather wet. Maybe I'll eat my words but I'm def going to get a dedicated set of winters. we have nearly 6 months of cold, wet, snow, ice and dealing with crappy tires for that long is not fun. Why do i live here again?!?!

Click to expand...

I can relate dealing with crappy tires is not fun during the winter. However, I've had luck with the all-season Michelin LTXs.

pilot1226 said:

The OEM's pattern kind of looks like all-weathers?

Click to expand...

All Season M+S (mud+snow) rated. Means they're not as good as 3 peak all seasons, or all weathers or winters, but are supposed to be decent.

I can't imagine treads like that being the best for heavy winter snow, but I could be wrong. I've got friends with WRXs who take them on the beach on their summer tires, so, who knows? They could probably power through the snow, but probably won't have as good grip.

i use ATEQ QuickSet TPMS Reset Tool for Crosstrek ... all my other cars don't need special tools for programming .. it can be from from the car itself ...

I think this will come down to a person by person basis since location and driving habits will vary. I've never made the winter tire swap and have used all seasons tires on all my cars without too much issue in the past. We run all seasons on a FWD sedan. They are terrible tires when it is wet, but for whatever reason work great in the snow. Coming from a truck that had all season and then all terrain tires I've always relied on 4X4 more when there was lots of snow. I went with Subaru because of the superior AWD. I think I will see how they perform this season and then re-evaluate. No sense in dumping brand new tires and at the moment I don't have anywhere to keep a set of spare rims and tires anyway.

How are the factory tires in non-snowy conditions? I found the factory tires on the 2007 outback, and the 2016 outback to be pretty bad. In fact I replaced both sets very early on - 10k miles on the 07, and at about 2k miles on the '16.

I'm curious to know if the Ascent tires are at least OK...I'd rather not shell out $600+ for new tires in the first months of ownership.

-Steve

Colorado winter snow tire test - lickskillet road

lickskillet road winter tire test



Three snow tires against OEM all season. Not tested on Ascent (tested on Outback) but in my opinion close enough for now. Cooper Discoverer True North came out on top. Of course these tires are not meant for the most severe deep snow conditions (nor is the Ascent).