2013 Subaru Tire Fitment Guide

2013 Subaru vehicles use 11 different tire sizes across four model lines. The BRZ uses 215/45R17; the Impreza uses 195/65R15, 205/50R17, 205/55R16, 235/45R17, and 245/40R18; the Legacy uses 205/60R16, 215/50R17, and 225/50R17; and the Outback uses 215/70R16 and 225/60R17. Rim diameters therefore span 15, 16, 17, and 18 inches depending on model and wheel package.

That spread means year and make alone are not enough for accurate tire selection on a 2013 Subaru. Start by identifying the exact model, then confirm the wheel diameter already on the car, since several Impreza and Legacy applications overlap in overall category but not in actual size. Once that is settled, sidewall style and brand preference become much easier to sort out.

On a 2013 Subaru, 215/70R16 is a metric radial size. The 215 is the section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Within the 2013 Subaru range, that size belongs to the Outback rather than the BRZ, Impreza, or Legacy.

Knowing how to read that code helps prevent one of the most common ordering mistakes: matching a Subaru by year but overlooking the actual model and wheel package. A 215/70R16 Outback tire has a much taller profile than the lower-profile sizes used on BRZ and many Impreza applications, so it should be matched carefully to the wheel and intended look of the vehicle.

No. 2013 Subaru models do not share a universal tire size across the lineup. The BRZ stands alone with 215/45R17, the Outback uses either 215/70R16 or 225/60R17, the Legacy uses 205/60R16, 215/50R17, or 225/50R17, and the Impreza spans five separate sizes from 15 to 18 inches depending on version and wheel package.

That makes model identification the first real fitment step, especially for buyers who are starting with only a registration year or a general idea of the car. If the wheel size on the vehicle has changed over time, verify the size molded into the current tire and compare it against the model-specific fitments before choosing a replacement.

2013 Subaru tire choices include several sidewall styles depending on size. Blackwall options dominate the BRZ and many Impreza and Legacy sizes, while Wide Whitewall appears in 205/50R17, 205/60R16, and 215/70R16, Narrow Whitewall appears in 225/60R17, and RWL appears in 215/70R16. Those visual differences are tied to the size itself as much as the brand.

Sidewall style matters most when the goal is to shape the car's visual character rather than simply replace a worn tire. A BRZ or sport-oriented Impreza usually looks at home on blackwalls, while some Legacy and Outback owners may prefer a whitewall treatment for a more distinctive custom or nostalgic appearance. Matching the sidewall to the vehicle's purpose keeps the finished look intentional.

2013 Subaru fitments are covered by BFGoodrich, American Classic, Michelin, Nitto, M&H Racemaster, Coker Classic, and Travelstar. BFGoodrich appears across many of the sport-oriented blackwall sizes, American Classic covers several whitewall applications, Michelin appears in 205/55R16, Nitto covers select wider 17- and 18-inch sizes, M&H Racemaster appears in 245/40R18, Coker Classic appears in 215/70R16, and Travelstar appears in 225/60R17.

Brand choice on a 2013 Subaru often follows the personality of the model and the desired finished look. A BRZ or performance-leaning Impreza owner may focus on blackwall sport radials, while a Legacy or Outback owner may be equally concerned with sidewall styling. Narrowing the choice by exact size first will quickly show which brands genuinely apply to the model you own.

In 235/45R17 for 2013 Subaru Impreza applications, BFGoodrich offers Blackwall sport-oriented radials in the g-Force Sport COMP-2 and g-Force COMP-2 A/S families, while Nitto offers the NT555 G2 in Blackwall form. All carry W speed ratings with a 112 mph ceiling, but the Nitto reaches 1,609 pounds at 50 psi and fits a 7.5 to 9.0-inch rim range, matching the same general wheel-width window as the BFGoodrich products.

That means the decision is less about basic fitment and more about product family preference within the same size category. An Impreza owner comparing these options should verify the wheel width first, then decide whether the tread character and brand profile align better with the car's role as a street-driven compact or a more appearance-conscious project.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 2013 Subaru vehicles. Examples include 215/45R17 at 7.0 to 8.0 inches, 205/50R17 at 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 205/55R16 at 5.5 to 7.5 inches, 235/45R17 at 7.5 to 9.0 inches, 245/40R18 at 8.0 to 9.5 inches for most products, 205/60R16 at 5.50 to 7.50 inches, 215/50R17 at 6.0 to 7.5 inches, 225/50R17 at 6.0 to 8.0 inches, and 215/70R16 at roughly 5.5 to 7.5 inches depending on the tire.

That range is why wheel width should be confirmed before moving between products, especially on Impreza applications where the same model family spans several wheel diameters and section widths. Even when two tires share the same rim diameter, they may not share the same ideal wheel width. Checking the actual wheel prevents avoidable mounting and appearance issues.

2013 Subaru tires in these sizes are radial passenger or light-truck style products, and the only explicit tube marking present is a tubeless designation on the Michelin 205/55ZR16 91Y TL. Other products do not introduce tube-type markings in their size descriptions. That points this 2013 Subaru range toward modern tubeless fitments rather than classic tube-type construction.

Even so, wheel condition still matters. If a car has aftermarket wheels, repaired wheels, or corrosion at the bead seat, the practical question is not just whether the tire is tubeless, but whether the wheel can seal it properly. When a wheel has an uncertain history, inspecting the rim and valve-stem area before mounting is the right next step.

A 2013 Subaru should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that can age rubber. Moisture and long exposure to one spot on the tread should also be minimized. Because all of these fitments are radial, they generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply tires, but they still benefit from periodic movement.

For seasonal or collector use, roll the car occasionally so the same part of the tread is not carrying the load month after month. If the vehicle will sit for an extended period, some owners use tire cradles or stands to reduce stress on the casing. A quick pressure check before and after storage keeps the tires from aging under unnecessary deflection.

On a low-use 2013 Subaru, tire age often matters more than tread wear. A sound rule is to begin evaluating condition carefully at about five to seven years and to treat around ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement point, even if the tread still looks usable. Heat cycles, storage conditions, and inflation history all affect how gracefully a tire ages.

That matters especially on second cars, hobby cars, or lightly driven wagons and sedans that may not accumulate many miles each year. A tire can appear presentable yet still be too old for confident road use. Reading the DOT date code and comparing it against the tire's current condition is a better guide than mileage alone.

Tires on a 2013 Subaru should be checked before every drive in a quick walk-around and inspected more closely before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, punctures, and signs of air loss, then confirm pressures when the tires are cold. Because these Subarus span everything from low-profile BRZ and Impreza fitments to taller Outback tires, visual wear patterns can differ significantly by model.

A more careful inspection a few times each season is worthwhile even if the car is driven only occasionally. Pay special attention to inside shoulders on performance-oriented sizes and to valve stems on older wheel sets. Catching a slow leak or structural issue in the garage is far preferable to discovering it once the trip is already underway.

Yes, these 2013 Subaru tire options are modern radial tires and many carry substantial road-speed capability. W-rated choices have a 112 mph ceiling, the 225/60R17 Travelstar carries a T rating at 118 mph, the 215/70R16 BFGoodrich carries an R rating at 106 mph, and the Michelin 205/55ZR16 91Y TL reaches 186 mph or higher. In normal highway use, the condition of the tire and the condition of the vehicle are more important than the raw rating ceiling.

A safe highway setup still depends on matching the correct size to the correct Subaru model, keeping pressures correct, and avoiding aged or damaged tires. On an older daily driver or lightly used second car, suspension wear, alignment condition, and braking quality can influence confidence just as much as the tire itself. A speed rating should be treated as a limit reference, not a driving target.

Pressure figures vary by size and by tire. Examples include 215/45R17 up to 50 or 51 psi depending on product, 205/50R17 up to 50 or 51 psi, 205/55R16 up to 50 or 51 psi, 235/45R17 up to 50 or 51 psi, 245/40R18 up to 44, 50, or 51 psi depending on the tire, 205/60R16 at 35 psi, 215/50R17 at 50 psi, 225/50R17 up to 50 or 51 psi, 215/70R16 from 32 to 50 psi, and 225/60R17 at 44 psi.

Those figures are tire maximums tied to load capacity, not automatic inflation recommendations for every 2013 Subaru application. The right next step is to compare the vehicle's factory placard or owner's manual guidance with the tire maker's own specifications for the exact product you choose. Pressure should never be transferred casually from one size to another, even within the same model family.

Before a longer drive in a 2013 Subaru, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, then confirm cold inflation pressure and make sure the spare is usable. Look closely at valve stems, especially on vehicles with older wheels or infrequent use, and verify that the tire size on the car matches the model and wheel package you expect. Any vibration, persistent pull, or repeated pressure loss deserves attention before the trip starts.

Tires are only one part of longer-trip readiness, but they are the part in constant contact with the road. A BRZ or low-profile Impreza fitment may be more sensitive to impact damage, while a taller Outback or Legacy tire can hide underinflation visually until it affects handling. A few minutes of inspection can prevent a roadside interruption and protect the vehicle's wheels as well.