2009 Subaru Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

2009 Subaru Trucks vehicles use three sizes across two models. The Forester uses 215/65R16 and 225/55R17, while the Tribeca uses 255/55R18. Those sizes mount on 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch wheels respectively, so they are not interchangeable across the full year-and-make range simply by year and make alone.

The practical takeaway is that a 2009 Subaru Trucks buyer should identify the model first and then confirm the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. On the Forester, wheel package matters because both 16-inch and 17-inch fitments appear. Once the size is confirmed, the next step is choosing the tire style that matches how the vehicle is used, whether that means a more traditional sidewall treatment or a more contemporary blackwall look.

On a 2009 Subaru Trucks tire, 215/65R16 is a metric radial size. The 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within 2009 Subaru Trucks applications, this size belongs to the Forester rather than the Tribeca.

That code matters because it tells you both the tire’s shape and the wheel it is meant to fit. A 215/65R16 tire must go on a 16-inch wheel, and the products in this size are built around rim width ranges that span from roughly 5.50 to 7.50 inches depending on the tire. If your Forester wears 16-inch wheels, this is the size family to confirm against the current tire sidewall and wheel before moving on to brand or sidewall style.

No, 2009 Subaru Trucks models do not all use the same tire size. The Forester uses either 215/65R16 or 225/55R17, while the Tribeca uses 255/55R18. That means model identification is essential before selecting a tire, and wheel diameter is the quickest checkpoint because each size is tied to a different rim diameter.

This distinction is especially important for shoppers who know only the year and make. Subaru’s 2009 crossover lineup covered different vehicle roles, and the larger Tribeca naturally sits on a larger wheel and tire package than the Forester. If you are replacing one tire or shopping for a full set, compare the sidewall marking on the vehicle now, then match it to the model-specific size rather than assuming one Subaru Trucks size fits the entire range.

2009 Subaru Trucks tires come in several sidewall styles depending on size. The 215/65R16 is available in RBL, redline, and wide whitewall form, while the 225/55R17 is available in blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those choices are unusual for a 2009-model application, because they allow a buyer to lean either toward a straightforward modern look or toward a more custom, nostalgic appearance.

For most stock-appearing 2009 Subaru Trucks vehicles, blackwall or plain raised-black-letter styling will look closest to what buyers expect on a late-model crossover. Redline and wide whitewall treatments are more of a visual statement, and they tend to appeal to owners building a personalized vehicle rather than restoring a factory-stock look. The key is to separate appearance from fitment: choose the correct size and wheel diameter first, then select the sidewall style that suits the build.

BFGoodrich covers the 2009 Subaru Trucks sizes shown here. In 215/65R16, BFGoodrich appears in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 and Silvertown Radial family, while 225/55R17 is also available through BFGoodrich in g-Force and Silvertown Radial lines. That gives the Forester a mix of visual styles and tire personalities within the correct size ranges.

Brand choice matters less than matching the right product type to the way the vehicle is used. A more aggressive all-terrain pattern, a blackwall performance radial, and a wide-whitewall radial can all share a nominal size while serving very different goals. Once you have confirmed the correct size for your 2009 Subaru Trucks model, compare the tread style, sidewall appearance, and load or speed marking of each tire to the way you actually drive the vehicle.

For the 2009 Subaru Trucks Forester in 215/65R16, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 serve very different purposes even though they share the same nominal size. The KO2 carries a 103S size marking, supports 1,930 pounds at 65 psi, fits 6.0- to 7.5-inch rims, and weighs 34 pounds. The Silvertown Radial versions support 1,565 pounds at 35 psi, fit 5.50- to 7.50-inch rims, weigh 25 pounds, and are available in redline or wide whitewall form.

That comparison points to use case more than simple fitment. The KO2 has a more truck-oriented, utility-focused character, while the Silvertown Radial is centered more on appearance and a classic-style sidewall treatment. A Forester owner who wants a distinctive visual statement will likely focus on the Silvertown options, while someone prioritizing a more rugged tire profile may lean toward the KO2. Either way, wheel width and the tire’s intended role should be checked before making the final choice.

Rim width requirements for 2009 Subaru Trucks tires vary by size and product. In 215/65R16, approved rim widths run from 5.50 to 7.50 inches on the Silvertown Radial and 6.0 to 7.5 inches on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. In 225/55R17, approved rim widths run from 6.0 to 8.0 inches on the g-Force products, 6 to 8 inches on the g-Force Phenom T/A, and 6.00 to 9.00 inches on the Silvertown Radial.

Those ranges show why the size alone is not the only thing to verify. Two tires with the same sidewall code can allow slightly different wheel widths, especially when one is a performance-oriented design and another is a styling-oriented radial. Before mounting a tire on a 2009 Subaru Trucks wheel, compare the wheel’s actual width to the approved range for the exact product you plan to use. That step helps avoid poor bead seating, unusual tread shape, or unwanted handling behavior.

Original 2009 Subaru Trucks Forester wheels can only be shared between both Forester sizes if the wheel diameter matches the tire. The 215/65R16 requires a 16-inch wheel, while the 225/55R17 requires a 17-inch wheel. Since those diameters are different, a Forester cannot use both sizes on the same wheel set without changing wheels as well.

That is why wheel diameter should be checked before anything else on a Forester. Owners sometimes focus on the fact that both sizes fit the same model, but they represent different wheel packages rather than interchangeable tires for one wheel. If you are trying to preserve the vehicle as equipped, read the current sidewall and measure the wheel diameter directly. If you are changing wheel size, then rim width and overall tire selection need to be reviewed together rather than one at a time.

A 2009 Subaru Trucks should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing sources. Keep the tires properly inflated, and if the vehicle will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces long-term flat-spotting and sidewall stress. Radials generally tolerate storage better than old bias-ply designs, but they still age when parked.

Storage habits matter because many 2009 Subaru Trucks vehicles now live as low-mileage family keepers, winter spares, or enthusiast-owned crossovers rather than hard-used daily transport. Good storage practice preserves the tire casing, keeps the contact patch from taking a set, and reduces the chance of sidewall cracking. If the vehicle sits for months at a time, inspect the spare as carefully as the road tires, since an aged but unused spare often gets overlooked until it is urgently needed.

Tires on a 2009 Subaru Trucks should be judged by age as much as by tread depth. A good rule for collector, low-use, or second-car service is to begin paying close attention around the five- to seven-year mark and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall tells you when the tire was made.

That guideline is especially important on vehicles that accumulate miles slowly. A 2009 Subaru Trucks may still wear tires with substantial tread but rubber that has hardened from age, heat cycles, and environmental exposure. Age-related cracking, reduced wet grip, and a harsher ride can show up long before the tread is gone. Checking date codes on all five tires, including the spare if present, gives a much clearer picture of true service life than mileage alone.

Tires on a 2009 Subaru Trucks should be checked before every drive and given a more deliberate inspection before any longer trip. Look for visible cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, embedded objects, and pressure loss. On performance-oriented sizes such as 225/55R17, uneven wear can also be an early sign that alignment or suspension attention is needed rather than just a tire issue.

Regular inspection is simple insurance on a vehicle that may alternate between daily use and long idle periods. A quick walkaround catches low pressure and obvious damage, while a closer monthly inspection helps you spot changes in the tread and sidewall before they become a roadside problem. For a 2009 Subaru Trucks heading out on a highway trip, check the spare’s pressure and condition too, because the usefulness of the backup tire depends on it being as roadworthy as the tires already on the ground.

2009 Subaru Trucks tires can be suitable for highway driving when the tire’s size, condition, inflation, and speed rating match the way the vehicle is used. Among the 225/55R17 Forester options, W-rated products carry a 168 mph ceiling, while the 215/65R16 KO2 appears with an S rating, which corresponds to 112 mph. Those ratings are comfortably above ordinary U.S. highway speeds, but safe operation still depends heavily on tire age, wear, and the condition of the vehicle itself.

For a 2009 Subaru Trucks, real-world highway confidence often comes down less to the tire’s maximum speed letter and more to whether the crossover’s suspension, brakes, alignment, and inflation are in order. An older tire with plenty of tread can still be a poor highway companion if the rubber is cracked or hardened. Before any sustained freeway use, confirm the tires are the correct size for the model, inspect them closely, and make sure all four are in comparable condition.

Inflation pressure for 2009 Subaru Trucks tires should follow the vehicle placard or owner’s manual for the factory specification, then be checked against the tire manufacturer’s maximum load and pressure marking for the exact product. In the 215/65R16 size, examples include 1,565 pounds at 35 psi and 1,930 pounds at 65 psi depending on the tire. In 225/55R17, one product shows 1,609 at 51 psi and another shows 1,819 pounds at 50 psi.

Those figures are load-and-pressure capacities for specific tires, not a blanket recommendation to inflate every 2009 Subaru Trucks tire to those numbers. The right running pressure depends on the vehicle, axle loading, and the tire fitted. That is why pressure should never be transferred casually from one size or product to another. Start with the vehicle’s factory guidance, then confirm that the chosen tire is being used within its own rated pressure and load range.

Before taking a 2009 Subaru Trucks on a longer drive, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and abnormal tread wear, then verify cold inflation pressure on all four tires and the spare. Make sure the tires are the correct size for the model, and if the vehicle uses a higher-speed-rated 225/55R17 tire, confirm all four tires are matched in category and condition. A road-trip check should also include valve stems, tread depth, and any sign of slow leakage.

Tires are only one part of the picture on a vehicle of this age, but they are the part that touches the road. A careful pre-drive inspection gives you a chance to catch dry cracking, impact damage, or uneven wear before it turns into a vibration or failure at speed. On a 2009 Subaru Trucks that has sat for a while, combine the tire check with a broader look at fluids, brakes, battery condition, and lights so the vehicle is ready for steady highway use rather than just short local trips.