Largest Legal Size Tires for Forester SG

[odis.22]

What is the largest legal tires in QLD Australia that I can fit from the stock ones (215x60R16)?

 

[NachaLuva]

You can legally fit 215/70/16. This is the most popular size for a SF or SG Forester

REGULATIONS:

Foresters & Outbacks are a MC classification, same as Landcruisers & Patrols. You can see the MC rating on the top right corner of your VIN plate. This explains it:

www.practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/the-mc-watch-offroad-classified-passenger-vehicles-in-australia

The ADRs regard a small lift kit (up to 50mm) as an "owner certified modification", ie, no approval or mod plate or engineer’s certificate is required

In all states, you’re also allowed to correct any butt sag. So if the rear is sagging 1/2”, you’re legally allowed a 2” fr 2.5” rr lift for an actual height increase of 2” above stock

In NSW, Queensland & Victoria on a MC class vehicle (like a Forester or Outback) you're legally allowed to do a 50mm lift plus 25mm tyre lift (50mm bigger diameter tyres) for 75mm total lift

In WA, Tasmania & SA you're legally allowed to do a 50mm lift (including tyre lift) as an "owner certified modification", ie, no approval or mod plate or engineer’s certificate is required. So you can go up a tyre size & do a 1.5” lift and still be legal

Cars with & without ESC are treated the same

 

[odis.22]

Thank you so much, I was getting a bit confused, although I do have one question, the wheel you mentioned is roughly 39mm extra which is 14mm over the legal limit (25mm) for a wheel, wouldn't that technically be illegal? Where as the 215/70/16 are 4mm in the legal limit (21mm). If I can still use the dimensions you mentioned, how is it legal?

 

[odis.22]

@NachaLuva
Ohhhh wait nvm, I think I get it.
So the 43mm is technically under the 25mm limit as you were saying the diameter is double the tyre lift? Im sorry if I am annoying you.

 

[Ben Up North]

The ADRs regard a small lift kit (up to 50mm) as an "owner certified modification", ie, no approval or mod plate or engineer’s certificate is required

Not that it's really relevant to this conversation, but from my research any car can have up to 50mm lift in QLD, not just MC classified vehicles.

So the 43mm is technically under the 25mm limit as you were saying the diameter is double the tyre lift?

I wish cars in QLD were allowed a 50mm wheel diameter increase.

 

[odis.22]

Not that it's really relevant to this conversation, but from my research any car can have up to 50mm lift in QLD, not just MC classified vehicles.


I wish cars in QLD were allowed a 50mm wheel diameter increase.

Oh yeah that makes sense,
Wait, so when your saying the legal size is 215/70r16 how is that legal? That is a 1.7inch lift which is .7inch higher then the legal limit. Is there anything I am missing except brain cells or is it just 65 is the highest I can go?

 

[Kevin]

I stayed at 21565R16 when I was running 16".

 

[NachaLuva]

Stock is 215/60/16 = 26.2" diameter
215/70/16 = 27.8" diameter
That's 1.6" taller so 0.8" tyre lift (approx 20mm)

In Qld MC class vehicles can have 50mm bigger tyres for 25mm tyre lift
Plus 50mm lift kit
Lift kit plus tyre lift = 75mm total lift allowed

 

[keithb4158]

215/70/16 Does not fit in the spare tyre space in a 2005 forester. Diameter is too big to fit.

 

[odis.22]

215/70/16 Does not fit in the spare tyre space in a 2005 forester. Diameter is too big to fit.

Dont need it to fit there... getting a custom wheel and jerry can holder on the back.... gonna use that space for something else

 

[broadbean]

How does all that affect the odometer and speedometer in a practical sense?

Would bigger tyres mean I went further and faster than what the odometer and speedometer tells me?

 

[ateday]

I have 215X65X16 tyres and the speedo is about spot on per the `phone GPS and also those road speed check 5 km sections.
Indeed you need to deflate your tyre to fit in the existing well and also cutting away some of the foam helps.

 

[keithb4158]

How does all that affect the odometer and speedometer in a practical sense?

Would bigger tyres mean I went further and faster than what the odometer and speedometer tells me?

The 215/70/16 made my Speedo read exactly correct instead of reading slow with standard 215/60/16. Speed and GPS speed on Google maps Aligned perfectly.

I have 215X65X16 tyres and the speedo is about spot on per the `phone GPS and also those road speed check 5 km sections.
Indeed you need to deflate your tyre to fit in the existing well and also cutting away some of the foam helps.

 

[Ben Up North]

Would bigger tyres mean I went further and faster than what the odometer and speedometer tells me?

Yes. Your service intervals should also be shorter, if you go by the odometer.

 

[ateday]

The 215/70/16 made my Speedo read exactly correct instead of reading slow with standard 215/60/16. Speed and GPS speed on Google maps Aligned perfectly.

Normally the standard tyres make your speedo read fast to avoid you exceeding the speed limit. Is that what you mean perhaps?
With stock tyres my speedo was about 5 kph out, ie actual 95 read as 100 on speedo. My Fiat engined van is/was ridiculous being about 10kph fast, reading about 100kph, at a real 90kph which is too much error for my liking.

 

[ateday]

How does all that affect the odometer and speedometer in a practical sense?

Would bigger tyres mean I went further and faster than what the odometer and speedometer tells me?

Usually yes depending upon manufacturer`s calibration.