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The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Subaru Legacy

The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Subaru Legacy

We’ve written extensively about the Subaru Legacy and numerous questions you can have about this car. Today, we will talk about the information you need to have to select the correct new tires or rims for your Subaru. Specifically, we’ll take a look at the bolt pattern for each generation. Let’s start with a quick answer:

Subaru Legacy manufactured from 2015 onwards have a bolt pattern of 5×4.5 (5×114.3mm), a center bore of 2.20 inches (56.1mm), and five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 88.5 lb-ft (120Nm) of force.

Subaru Legacy manufactured between 1989 – 2014 have a bolt pattern of 5×3.94 inches (5x100mm), a center bore of 2.20 inches (56.1mm), and five lug nuts with a thread size of M12 x 1.25 that need to be tightened with 88.5 lb-ft (120Nm) of force.

However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined the bolt pattern in more detail for each generation. We also discuss what lugs/bolts are used precisely, the exact diameter of the center bore hub, and the torque specifications of the bolts. Finally, we also have information about each engine type’s exact tire size and rim size. You should know precisely what you can and cannot buy this way. Read on!

Also read: The Types Of Gas A Subaru Legacy Takes (Explained)

Wheel Fitment Specifications Per Generation

To fit a wheel properly on your Subaru Legacy, you’ll need to know more aspects than just the bolt pattern. Below we’ve outlined all the factors you should be aware of for each generation of the Legacy. These include: center bore diameter, wheel tightening torque, whether lug nuts or bolts are used, and the thread size of the bolts.

We also want to clarify that the below-listed specifications are the same for all models within that generation. The Legacy, of course, comes in different trim levels and engine options. However, these bolt patterns, lugs used, and torque specifications do not change for other models within a generation.

Furthermore, we also listed the exact tire and rim size used with each engine option to give you a precise idea of what tires you can and cannot buy.

2015-2022

  • Subaru Legacy 3.6R (256 hp) or Subaru Legacy 2.4T (260 hp) have standard tire sizes of 225/50R18 and standard rim sizes of 7.5Jx18 ET55.
  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i (182 hp and 175 hp) has a standard tire size of 225/55R17, 225/55R17, or 225/50R18 and a standard rim size of 7Jx17 ET55, 7.5Jx17 ET55, or 7.5Jx18 ET55.

2009-2014

  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i (170 hp) has a standard tire size of 205/60R16 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET48.
  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i GT (261 hp) has a standard tire size of 215/45ZR18 and a standard rim size of 7.5Jx18 ET55.
  • Subaru Legacy 3.6i R (255 hp) has a standard tire size of 225/50R17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx17 ET55.

2003-2009

  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i (162 hp) has a standard tire size of 195/65R15 or 205/60R16 and a standard rim size of 6.5Jx16 ET48 or 6.5Jx16 ET55.
  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i GT (261 hp) and Subaru Legacy 3.0i R (241 hp) have standard tire sizes of 215/45ZR17 and standard rim sizes of 7Jx17 ET55.

Also read: How Many Miles Can A Subaru Legacy Last? (Answered)

1999-2003

  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i (162 hp) has a standard tire size of 195/60R15 or 205/60R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET55 or 6.5Jx15 ET55.
  • Subaru Legacy 3.0i R (217 hp) has a standard tire size of 205/55R16 or 215/45ZR17 and a standard rim size of 7Jx16 ET55 or 7Jx17 ET55.

1994-1998

  • Subaru Legacy 2.2i (162 hp) has a standard tire size of 185/70R14 and a standard rim size of 5.5Jx14 ET55.
  • Subaru Legacy 2.5i GT (165 hp) has a standard tire size of 195/60R15 and a standard rim size of 6Jx15 ET55.

Also read: The Absolute Best Year Of The Subaru Legacy

Retightening The Bolts

As said before, most generations of the Subaru that we discussed have five lug nuts. These need to be secured in a specific way when you mount the wheel to the car again. This information is stated in the owner’s manual, but we’ve gone through the effort of instructing you here. Subaru advises you to bolt these nuts in the way that’s shown below. You have to follow a crisscross pattern.

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five-bolt pattern

You do this by tightening all the nuts with a wheel wrench first. Please make sure only to tighten them halfway; otherwise, you’ll run into problems.

In the second round, you tighten them with the wheel wrench to the appropriate lbs-ft or Nm that we’ve stated earlier. Please note that the newest generation of the Subaru Legacy needs to have the bolts tightened to 88.5 lb-ft.

It’s expected that your wheel also have a center cap or cover. These need to be secured in the same pattern. Please tighten them first-hand snug with your hands. Then, use the wheel wrench to tighten them another one-quarter turn.

It’s also important to check if the lug nuts are still secured after 30 miles (48 kilometers). Please make sure they are all in place and still tightened with the proper force. If not, tighten them again and recheck. If this keeps happening, you’ll need to replace the wheel.

Also read: Subaru Legacy Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids

When Or Why To Rotate/Change Tires

Suppose you’re changing your tire. You also need to know when to change or rotate it precisely. Let’s first talk about changing your tires. Tires usually last around 60,000 – 75,000 miles or 4-5 years. After this period they need to be replaced. Sometimes this happens earlier, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the tread wear indicators. These are shown in the image below. These indicators show when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less tread remaining.

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Another occasion when you’ll need to take off your tires is when you’re rotating them. In the owner’s manual of the Legacy, it’s said that this needs to happen every 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometers. It’s advised you rotate the tires in the exact way that’s shown below. The front tires are moved to the back, and the front tires move crisscross to the front.

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Sources

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