Tire Recommendations and Experiences

[SaberOne]

I used a set of DWS 06 tires and was very impressed with their longevity. Although it doesn't rain much in my area, the tread pattern looks well-suited for wet conditions. I switched to Michelin PS4s; while they lack the fine cuts for wet surfaces, they handle significantly better in all other aspects.

 

[edyvw]

What trim level? What size tire? The wet vs winter grip normally conflict so trade offs. Combine that with looking for decent off road traction.

I might look at Nokian Outpost APT, Falken Wildpeak AT Trail, Conti Terrain Contact AT, The Yokohama G015 or other "On Road All Terrain" versions. Those Nokians and some others have the Aramid sidewalls also.

The CrossContact LX25 gets really good all around reviews for wet and winter. The TerrainContact H/T good wet, not as good winter

I'll always promote true winter tires for winter for safety, mounted on spare rims so you can swap easy. I think @edyvw said his newer Blizzaks are surprisingly good in the wet.

When do you do the "off roading" is that winter or just the other 3 seasons? If you have to be above 6/32" anyway for winter you'll be buying new tires and losing 1/2 tread. Might as well get others for that time.

My experience but that is in NY but physics still apply for the tread depth in winter.

My sister and BIL love their CC2's and with our winters lately pretty much giving up on winter tires. No complaints of noise in summer or other. That is on a Rav4 Hybrid and Tiguan R-line.

The Falken Wildpeak AT Trail on FIL's Jeep Renegade are wearing quickly IMO BUT so did his factory Falkens and the Pirelli Scorpion AT that replaced them. He drives almost all local around town so always stop/go and can't use him as a "mileage" indicator. They AT Trails are still quiet, and wearing very even/flat. The Scorpion AT's had really odd wear and got very noisy by this point. I'm contemplating the Nokian Outpost APT for his next set. He wants the sidewall look no matter what I get.

The Conti ProContact TX that FIL had on loaner Cherokee (for 9 months) were good in wet/dry but seriously safety hazard on the snows we had. I let my kids try it as compared to their VikingContact 7's and they were like these things suck even in 4WD.

I put the Conti TrueContact Tour on my sons car this spring so can't give mileage details. They have been quiet and I bought as big reason for their wet performance reviews/tests. So far they have been good. They are now discontinued and being replaced by TrueContact Tour 54. Neither one has the severe snow rating for all weather.

They are. Exceptionally good in wet for winter tire.

 

[Automaton25]

In Colorado I'd definitely be looking at all weather tires.
Being its a relatively light AWD subaru and you dont get much wheel spin.. on gravel definitely less taxing on the tires than some vehicles.

You should add your location to your profile.

We get a fair amount of wheel spin off-road and frequently have 500-800lbs of extra gear in the car. The CC2 might do just fine, it's just a concern and most people that buy the tire use their vehicle differently so it's hard to make a determination.

 

[Hermann]

what about the coni contact TX???

The Conti TX series is a OEM cheapie tire. You want to look at the LX25. They are very nice tires with deep tread.

 

[Hermann]

Continental LX25?

Very happy with mine.

 

[i6pwr]

@Automaton25 Another request for your trim level on the Forester, maintenance schedule, is that the turbo XT?

With 26K miles on a 70K set, I agree something is amiss. Could be road conditions but I would consider this near the end of the spectrum aside from very spirited driving, but have no idea just tossing ideas out. Rotation schedule, inflation pressure, how often is this checked, etc.

I honestly don't know what to recommend given the fact you are going through tires so quickly, barely getting 35% of the treadwear.

 

[Automaton25]

@Automaton25 Another request for your trim level on the Forester, maintenance schedule, is that the turbo XT?

With 26K miles on a 70K set, I agree something is amiss. Could be road conditions but I would consider this near the end of the spectrum aside from very spirited driving, but have no idea just tossing ideas out. Rotation schedule, inflation pressure, how often is this checked, etc.

I honestly don't know what to recommend given the fact you are going through tires so quickly, barely getting 35% of the treadwear.

Premium trim. Alignment is checked annually, with new tires, and as needed. It is rarely out of spec. Tires are rotated every 5k.

We are spirited drivers, it not that aggressive...it is still a Forester.

 

[Propflux01]

Very happy with mine.

I had them on my prior Tucson. Best tire Ive ever ran on an SUV.

 

[i6pwr]

Premium trim

Premium, or XT Premium? A turbo motor would make a big difference. Doesn't matter if it a Forester or a Prius, spirited driving and heavy braking will wear out tires quick, you need to get the traction from somewhere. Just because you don't hear screeching and squealing, doesn’t mean the tires aren't clawing for traction.

Take a pencil eraser and lightly drag it on a desk, then press hard and watch the little crumbles fall off. The crumbles are what happens to tires under heavy braking, hard turns, and rapid acceleration.

I would choose a cheap set of 70-80K miles that are quiet and let the excellent Subaru AWD handle the rest. With winter approaching, more tread sipes or opt for a 2nd set of dedicated winter tires for when the snow falls. I would want the braking ability.

 

[hrv]

The Conti TX series is a OEM cheapie tire. You want to look at the LX25. They are very nice tires with deep tread.

That is the tire that came on my 2021 Honda HRV 225/50/18,,,, I have been happy with that tire and will replace with the same...TX

 

[krzyss]

Premium, or XT Premium? A turbo motor would make a big difference. Doesn't matter if it a Forester or a Prius, spirited driving and heavy braking will wear out tires quick, you need to get the traction from somewhere. Just because you don't hear screeching and squealing, doesn’t mean the tires aren't clawing for traction.

Take a pencil eraser and lightly drag it on a desk, then press hard and watch the little crumbles fall off. The crumbles are what happens to tires under heavy braking, hard turns, and rapid acceleration.

I would choose a cheap set of 70-80K miles that are quiet and let the excellent Subaru AWD handle the rest. With winter approaching, more tread sipes or opt for a 2nd set of dedicated winter tires for when the snow falls. I would want the braking ability.

Excellent Subaru AWD does not help braking or steering.
One may go too cheap on tires and their traction is what provides traction for the vehicle.

Krzyś

 

[i6pwr]

Excellent Subaru AWD does not help braking or steering.
One may go too cheap on tires and their traction is what provides traction for the vehicle.

Krzyś

Sorry for any confusion...my "Excellent Subaru AWD" comment was to address the "not everything else" part. Braking and control are best for the dedicated winter tires in the winter, the Forester will do good in terms of going from a stop and most stability control circumstances. Since the OP is tearing up a 70K mile tire in 25K miles, the point is moot for a high treadwear tire.

 

[sds911]

I would look at an all terrain tire with 3 peak mountain snowflake. I got 50k on my first set of yokohama g015 AT. Warranty was 60k so received a pro-rated credit on my second set. But, many good AT tires with 3PMS available for your driving conditions. Maybe carry a set of auto socks in the winter for ice. I did but never actually needed to use them.

Look at tire rack videos reviewing All Terrain tires and customer reviews sorted by your vehicle model.

For an all season I like the continental dws06/plus. Works in light snow, wet and dry. Not sure about trails etc and definitely not for ice. I’ve heard good reviews on certain Michelin models too. I often had a dedicated winter tire set up for my place in Granby - taking berthoud pass and vail pass is sometimes best with blizzak, x-ice, or extreme winter contact.

Pic from Keystone CO - Yokohamas on the GX460.

 

[barkingspider]

I like the uniroyal tiger paws for your vehicle. If you need more aggressive, the BFG trail terrain and it has the 3 peak mountain snowflake

 

[ChiTDI]

Something’s up with that quick wear on your Continentals.
I just put my third set on after 60k+ on both previous sets. 2014 Outback.
I would have the suspension checked as well as the tires.

 

[Speedbird001]

100% satisfied with the last couple sets of top shelf Continental passenger tires (Sorry don't remember the model, last ones were Extreme {x} DWS I think)

Hard no on BMW oem run flats: very fragile, unrepairable and wore out <30k miles. (Bridgestones I think)

Will definetly not buy Nitto Ridge Grapplers again: too much vibration, mediocre wet traction, have gotten quite loud with 40k and 1/2 the tread left.

 

[edyvw]

Premium, or XT Premium? A turbo motor would make a big difference. Doesn't matter if it a Forester or a Prius, spirited driving and heavy braking will wear out tires quick, you need to get the traction from somewhere. Just because you don't hear screeching and squealing, doesn’t mean the tires aren't clawing for traction.

Take a pencil eraser and lightly drag it on a desk, then press hard and watch the little crumbles fall off. The crumbles are what happens to tires under heavy braking, hard turns, and rapid acceleration.

I would choose a cheap set of 70-80K miles that are quiet and let the excellent Subaru AWD handle the rest. With winter approaching, more tread sipes or opt for a 2nd set of dedicated winter tires for when the snow falls. I would want the braking ability.

That is why they are the most common vehicles here in the ditch during snow storms. You see, the thing is, no one dies from not being able to move fast enough forward. But they do die bcs. they cannot stop in time.

 

[i6pwr]

That is why they are the most common vehicles here in the ditch during snow storms. You see, the thing is, no one dies from not being able to move fast enough forward. But they do die bcs. they cannot stop in time.

You did see this part correct? Or were you agreeing with me? Forgive me if I misunderstood your reply to my quote

 

[krzyss]

That is why they are the most common vehicles here in the ditch during snow storms. You see, the thing is, no one dies from not being able to move fast enough forward. But they do die bcs. they cannot stop in time.

I would replace “no one” to “very few” ;-)
And I agree with the statement.

Krzyś

 

[krzyss]

To OP.

It does seem that you (or rather your usage) murders the tires.
If you drive through Colorado passes in winter then it is hard to do without proper tires; real winter tires, not “all terrain” which happen to pass snow traction test thanks to tread geometry not the compound. The AT usually fail on ice where compound rules and is beaten only by studs (on “warm” ice).
Have you considered using different sets of tires better matching their intended usage?
Mild AT or all seasons for “less chance of snow” seasons and winter for “sure snow”?

Krzyś