7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
513 indicators are showing on a tire.
n When to replace your vehicle’ s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
lThe treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
lYou have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough
to expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
lA tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your SUBARU retailer.
n Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if it has seldom or never been
used or damage is not obvious.
n Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.10 of the replacement tire is greater than 1 / 2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings( GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.( �P. 597)
n Tire types lSummer tires Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
lAll season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
lSnow tires For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.( �P. 428)
nIf the tread on snow tires wearsdown below 0.16 in.( 4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snowtires is lost.
7
Maintenance and care