tirewheelguide

1997 Subaru Forester tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 5x100 on every 1997 trim.

Tires for the 1997 Subaru Forester

Sizes most trims come with first. Open your trim below for its exact size.

  1. 205/70R15 Best-rated standard on 2 trims · optional on 1 · Australia, Japan, USA
    Check price on Amazon · 205/70R15
  2. 215/60R16 Best-rated standard on 1 trim · optional on 3 · Japan, Australia, USA
    Check price on Amazon · 215/60R16
  3. 195/70R15 Best-rated standard on 1 trim · Japan
    Check price on Amazon · 195/70R15

Also listed: 225/50R17 235/45R18 225/60R16 215/55R17 225/55R17 225/45R18

Best tires for the 1997 Subaru Forester

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Trims sold in 1997
4
Generation
SF sold in 3 market versions
Best tires for the 1997 Subaru Forester

4 trims sold in 1997

Sold in 3 market versions with different tire sizes. Open a trim for its tire and rim sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure.

Subaru Forester SF

1997–2002 4 trims

Japan

2 trims
Forester 2.0i (E-SF5) 133 hp · EJ20 H4 195/70R15 95S 5 fitments
Generation
SF · 1997–2002
Market
Japan
Power
133 hp
Engine
EJ20 H4, Petrol
Center bore
56.1 mm
Bolt pattern
5x100
Thread
M12 x 1.25
Check price on Amazon · 195/70R15 Wheels 15x6 ET48 · 5x100 · 56.1 mm on Amazon
Tire sizeRim size and bolt patternPressure, psi
195/70R15 95SRim 15x6 ET48 5x10029 psi
205/70R15 95SRim 15x6 ET48 5x10029 psi
215/60R16 95SRim 16x6.5 ET48 5x10030 psi
215/55R17 93HRim 17x7 ET45 5x10030 psi
225/50R17 93HRim 17x7.5 ET42 5x10033 psi

How to read 95S: 95 is the load index (up to 1,521 lb / 690 kg per tire) and S the speed rating (up to 112 mph / 180 km/h). ET48 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres. Compare offsets in the wheel offset calculator.

Forester 2.0T (E-SF5) 247 hp · EJ20 H4 215/60R16 95S 4 fitments
Generation
SF · 1997–2002
Market
Japan
Power
247 hp
Engine
EJ20 H4, Petrol
Center bore
56.1 mm
Bolt pattern
5x100
Thread
M12 x 1.25
Check price on Amazon · 215/60R16 Wheels 16x6.5 ET48 · 5x100 · 56.1 mm on Amazon
Tire sizeRim size and bolt patternPressure, psi
215/60R16 95SRim 16x6.5 ET48 5x10030 psi
225/60R16 95HRim 16x7 ET48 5x10030 psi
225/50R17 95VRim 17x7.5 ET45 5x10033 psi
235/45R18 95WRim 18x8 ET45 5x10033 psi

How to read 95S: 95 is the load index (up to 1,521 lb / 690 kg per tire) and S the speed rating (up to 112 mph / 180 km/h). ET48 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

Australia

1 trim
Forester 2.0i 121 hp · 2.0L EJ20 H4 205/70R15 95S 4 fitments
Generation
SF · 1997–2002
Market
Australia
Power
121 hp
Engine
2.0L EJ20 H4, Petrol
Center bore
56.1 mm
Bolt pattern
5x100
Thread
M12 x 1.25
Check price on Amazon · 205/70R15 Wheels 15x6 ET48 · 5x100 · 56.1 mm on Amazon
Tire sizeRim size and bolt patternPressure, psi
205/70R15 95SRim 15x6 ET48 5x10030 psi
215/60R16 95SRim 16x6.5 ET48 5x10030 psi
225/50R17 95HRim 17x7 ET48 5x10033 psi
225/45R18Rim 18x7.5 ET45 5x10033 psi

How to read 95S: 95 is the load index (up to 1,521 lb / 690 kg per tire) and S the speed rating (up to 112 mph / 180 km/h). ET48 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

USA

1 trim
Forester 2.5i 165 hp · EJ25 H4 205/70R15 95S 4 fitments
Generation
SF · 1997–2002
Market
USA
Power
165 hp
Engine
EJ25 H4, Petrol
Center bore
56.1 mm
Bolt pattern
5x100
Thread
M12 x 1.25
Check price on Amazon · 205/70R15 Wheels 15x6 ET48 · 5x100 · 56.1 mm on Amazon
Tire sizeRim size and bolt patternPressure, psi
205/70R15 95SRim 15x6 ET48 5x10030 psi
215/60R16 94HRim 16x6.5 ET48 5x10030 psi
225/55R17 95HRim 17x7 ET48 5x10030 psi
235/45R18 95HRim 18x7.5 ET45 5x10033 psi

How to read 95S: 95 is the load index (up to 1,521 lb / 690 kg per tire) and S the speed rating (up to 112 mph / 180 km/h). ET48 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

What these columns mean
Rim size
Rim diameter × width in inches, and the factory offset (ET) in millimetres, e.g. 18x7.5 ET25.
Bolt pattern (PCD)
Number of studs and the diameter of the circle they sit on. It must match exactly.
Center bore
Diameter of the hub hole. Larger aftermarket bores need hub-centric rings.
Pressure
Recommended cold inflation pressure for that axle, in psi.
Thread size
Lug bolt or nut thread — needed when buying aftermarket fasteners.
Trims sold in 1997
4
Generation
SF sold in 3 market versions
Other years
All years (1997–2026)
Best tires for the 1997 Subaru Forester

Considering a different size?

Compare your current tire size with the one you want: diameter change, ground clearance and speedometer error.

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