--- title: "2012-2013 Subaru Forester Tire Size: 215/65R16" description: "Every one of 2 factory tire sizes fitted to the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester, by trim and wheel diameter, with recommended cold pressures. Bolt pattern 5x100. Lug nuts torque to 89 lb-ft." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/tires" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2012-2013 Subaru Forester Tire Sizes, Pressure and Bolt Pattern Every one of 2 factory tire sizes fitted to the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester, by trim and wheel diameter, with recommended cold pressures. Bolt pattern 5x100. Lug nuts torque to 89 lb-ft. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2013 Subaru Forester came with 2 factory tire sizes depending on trim, from 215/65R16 (2.5X, 2.5X Premium (16-in)) up. Check the table for your trim. ## 2012-2013 Subaru Forester factory tire sizes (Check your manual) | Trim / wheels | Tire size | Pressure (F/R) | Rating | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.5X, 2.5X Premium (16-in) | 215/65R16 | 32 psi | N/A | | 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT, Touring (17-in) | 225/55R17 | 32 psi | N/A | ## 2012-2013 Subaru Forester bolt pattern and lug nut torque | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x100 | | Lug nut torque | 89 lb-ft | | Spare tire | Compact temporary spare under the cargo floor | Tighten in a star pattern with a torque wrench, then re-check after roughly 50 miles. An impact gun routinely overshoots the figure above by 100 lb-ft or more, which warps rotors and stretches studs. ## Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover? These tire sizes specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2012 through 2013, the SH (3rd generation), compact crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) - [2013 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) ## What changed during the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.5X Touring trim added above 2.5X Limited with HID headlights, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and silver roof rails; 2.5XT models gain a larger rear spoiler | | 2012-2013 | Facelift years of the SH generation; non-turbo trims run the newer FB25 while the 2.5XT retains the EJ25 turbo through the end of production in 2013 | | 2013 | Minor changes only: Sky Blue dropped from the exterior color palette, replaced by Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl | ## 2012-2013 Subaru Forester tire sizes: common questions ### What size tires does a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester take? It varies by trim and wheel size, 2 factory fitments exist, from 215/65R16 up. Check the placard on the driver's door jamb for the size your specific vehicle left the factory with. ### What is the bolt pattern on a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester? 5x100. That is the figure you need when shopping for aftermarket wheels; centre bore and offset still have to match separately. ### What should the tire pressure be on a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester? 32 PSI front and rear, measured cold. The number moulded into the tire sidewall is the tire's maximum, not the vehicle's recommendation. Do not inflate to it. ### What is the lug nut torque for a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester? 89 lb-ft, tightened in a star pattern with a torque wrench. Impact guns routinely overshoot this by 100 lb-ft or more, which warps rotors and stretches studs. ### Does the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester come with a spare tire? Compact temporary spare under the cargo floor. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SH)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Forester 2.5L FB25BC oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25bc-2/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2010 Forester 2.5L EJ255 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2010/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-ej255-e-turbo/) - [Subaru Forester Owners Forum, oil type & filter for 2013 2.5XT (5W-30, 4.4 qt per owner's manual)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/oil-type-filter-for-2013-2-5xt.133018/) - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2011-2013 SH)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/) - [KBB, 2010 Subaru Forester specs (2.5XT: 224 hp / 226 lb-ft)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2010/) - [Edmunds, 2013 Subaru Forester review (2.5XT specs, 4-speed automatic)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forester/2013/review/) - [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator) - [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/) - [Class Law Group, Subaru oil consumption class action settlement summary](https://www.classlawgroup.com/subaru-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit) - [subaruforester.org, 2011-14 Forester oil consumption class action lawsuit thread](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2011-14-forester-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit-merged-thread.360817/) - [subaruofdayton.com, Subaru EJ25 head gasket history explainer](https://www.subaruofdayton.com/blog/head-gaskets-horizons-and-hope-the-truth-about-older-subaru-models) ## Other Subaru Forester generations - [2025-2026 Subaru Forester tire sizes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/tires) - [2019-2024 Subaru Forester tire sizes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/tires) - [2014-2018 Subaru Forester tire sizes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/tires) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/tires). ## More for the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/battery) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.