[ScoobaRoo]

Now this is more of a general question along with something more geared directly towards the Subaru Ascent.

Do you feel, even with the superb AWD system, that you will need to run a season dedicated tire or are you comfortable with just utilizing the all-season tires?

I personally prefer to run season dedicated regardless of what AWD capabilities it may have.

 

[Ascension]

Definitely going to need a set of winter tires, the cost for a set is cheap compared to hitting a bit of ice and getting into an accident. I've driven in the snow with all-season tires before and there were times where I slid a bit.

Whatever tires the Ascent comes with will be the summer tires and I'll look into getting an extra set of rims and tires for the winter. That salt is brutal on anything nice.

 

[ScoobaRoo]

Salt is definitely a huge PITA and especially that brine that they spray on the roads. Chews just about everything up.

For the Winter wheels, I presume steelies?

 

[familyrally]

For me it will depend on which exact model of tire they offer us but an SUV this big usually gets an all-seasons tire suitable for city winter driving. Often in the city you're dealing with well treated roads. The only issue is extreme cold weather.

 

[ScoobaRoo]

That is true but I'd still end up going with dedicated winter tires. All-seasons regardless of what vehicle they're on and what systems are in place, lack in performance from dedicated season tires.

 

[Trey T]

Anybody thinking of lifting it 1-2" and get larger meat of tires on there"?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Where you live enters into this decision. Where I am in SE PA, there's little or no need for dedicated winter rubber, but a high quality all season with M&S designation is still good to have. I currently run Michelin Defenders and would consider them for any future Subaru purchase I might make, too. Folks in areas where there is "real winter" will likely want to consider dedicated winter tires.

 

[racingclub]

Anybody thinking of lifting it 1-2" and get larger meat of tires on there"?

That's a nice idea! My only concern is the price for this type of surgery Have you ever done it before? If yes, how much was it?

 

[Trey T]

Yes but on an SUV w/ rear solid axle, which is significantly different than all independent suspension. W/ respect to Forester lift, you can lift with strut spacers for about $200-300. After all said and done, I believe the cost will look like this:

- 2" spacers kit - $300
- alignment - $150
- new tires - $1000

About $1500 total

 

[meyeracer06]

It looks like the OEM tires (at least on the 20" wheel option) are Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S. That tire is a pretty standard CUV tire and happens to be also OEM on the new Crosstrek. These are definitely not very off road oriented, but hopefully the aftermarket will have options in sizes that will work with the Ascent.

 

[Ascension]

At least the wheels are nice and tires are cheaper to replace so it shouldn't be too expensive. If it were a set of wheels and tires, then I may as well stick with what's provided by the factory.

 

[familyrally]

Well regardless of what the wheel size is you can find an affordable set, it just depends on what you're willing to get. Some people I know are okay with cheap aftermarket wheels and others must only have high end OEM or aftermarket wheel.

 

[ascentico]

Haven't tires with circumferential grooves been around for a long time? I don't understand why this is being marketed as if it's new. Remember the Goodyear Gatorback from the 80s?

See https://www.torquenews.com/1084/how...stable-wet-conditions-and-resist-hydroplaning

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I'll eventually run All Terrains, but, in the past (on my 2010 Outback), I've run on the stock Continental ContiProContacts, through a foot of snow, rain and on the beach (aired down on the beach).

 

[R P]

I am waiting to see what the rim offset will be for the Ascent. I would like to get a set of 17" rims and mount the LT245/65/R17 BFG KO2's for off-road.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I'm definitely swapping out the Touring's 20" wheels for 18" beefier off-road capable wheels and tires.

 

[Burutoo]

Has anyone seen any info regarding the bolt pattern on the ascent?

 

[Xnykr]

Where you live enters into this decision. Where I am in SE PA, there's little or no need for dedicated winter rubber, but a high quality all season with M&S designation is still good to have. I currently run Michelin Defenders and would consider them for any future Subaru purchase I might make, too. Folks in areas where there is "real winter" will likely want to consider dedicated winter tires.

Fully agree. I run michelin Premier A/S in Chattanooga. Drove to NYC in 2 different blizzards and multiple mountain trips in snow and ice through the smokeys no issue. I have a set of chains (4) that I never used on my Outback. That said, if I lived in true winter, I would do dedicated tires due to salt. I tend to be the over prepared type if it helps anyone.

 

[huntingskeetman]

I preordered the Ascent Premium with the 18” wheels. My current Outback has Yokohama Geolander AT’s on it (235/60/R18) which I swapped with the originals which I have stored in my shed. I am probably going to put the original tires on and save the Yokohama’s to use on my new Ascent in event I’m not comfortable running the standard Falken’s on light trail/logging roads I hunt in the fall. I also intend on putting a set of Primitive skid plates on my new Ascent when they are available. I already contacted Paul from Primitive and he told me he would offer them for the Ascent.

 

[R P]

I preordered the Ascent Premium with the 18” wheels. My current Outback has Yokohama Geolander AT’s on it (235/60/R18) which I swapped with the originals which I have stored in my shed. I am probably going to put the original tires on and save the Yokohama’s to use on my new Ascent in event I’m not comfortable running the standard Falken’s on light trail/logging roads I hunt in the fall. I also intend on putting a set of Primitive skid plates on my new Ascent when they are available. I already contacted Paul from Primitive and he told me he would offer them for the Ascent.

Do you know what the bolt pattern and rim offset is for the Ascent? Is it the same as your Outback (what year?).