Conquer Winter Roads: Choosing the Right Tires for Your 2020 Subaru WRX

How to Address Tire Issues in Cold Weather

Many 2020 Subaru WRX owners face challenges with tires during the colder months, especially in areas with significant snowfall and ice. The original equipment tires often struggle in these conditions. As one owner shared, “Seen everyone talking about blizzards this and winter tires that. Ive lived in the Midwest my whole life where it snows big just about every year throughout the winter." (source) Addressing this issue can significantly improve your driving experience and safety during winter.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms related to tire issues experienced by 2020 Subaru WRX owners in cold weather involve reduced traction and control. You might notice that your vehicle struggles to maintain grip on wet, icy, or snowy roads. This can manifest as increased stopping distances, difficulty accelerating without wheel spin, and a general feeling of instability, particularly when cornering or braking. These symptoms become more pronounced as temperatures drop, impacting the performance of all-season or summer tires.

Many owners report that the factory-equipped tires on the 2020 Subaru WRX are not well-suited for winter conditions. The rubber compound in these tires hardens as temperatures decrease, leading to a significant reduction in grip. This hardening effect makes it challenging to drive confidently, even on lightly snow-covered surfaces. The lack of adequate tread depth and specific winter tire design further exacerbates the problem, making the vehicle prone to sliding and loss of control.

Ice is a particularly troublesome condition for the 2020 Subaru WRX with unsuitable tires. Even with the vehicle's all-wheel-drive system, the lack of proper tire grip can render the system ineffective. Owners frequently describe the experience of driving on ice as being akin to driving on glass, with minimal control over the vehicle's direction or speed. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially when braking or attempting to navigate turns.

Another symptom is the noticeably diminished performance of all-season tires in temperatures at or below freezing. The difference between all-season tires and dedicated winter tires becomes starkly apparent in such conditions. While all-season tires may offer some compromise in milder weather, they fail to provide the necessary grip and stability in severe cold, snow, and ice. Switching to winter tires often results in a dramatic improvement in handling and safety.

Most Likely Cause

The primary cause of tire-related issues in cold weather for the 2020 Subaru WRX is the use of tires that are not designed for winter conditions. All-season or summer tires become significantly less effective when temperatures drop below freezing. The rubber compound in these tires hardens, reducing their ability to grip the road surface. Additionally, they lack the specialized tread patterns and siping (small slits in the tread) that winter tires use to channel snow and water away from the contact patch, improving traction on snow and ice.

How to Diagnose

Diagnosing tire issues related to cold weather performance is relatively straightforward.

1. Visual Inspection: Examine your tires for wear and tread depth. If the tread depth is low (below 6/32 of an inch for winter tires), the tire's ability to grip snow and ice is significantly reduced. Look for signs of cracking or damage to the sidewalls.
2. Temperature Check: Note the ambient temperature. If it is consistently at or below freezing (32°F or 0°C), your all-season or summer tires will likely experience reduced performance.
3. Performance Evaluation: Drive the vehicle in a safe, controlled environment (such as an empty parking lot) to assess the tires' grip on snow or ice. Pay attention to braking distances, acceleration, and cornering ability. Compare this performance to when the tires were used in warmer conditions.
4. Tire Type Verification: Check the sidewall of your tires to confirm whether they are all-season, summer, or winter tires. Winter tires will typically have a "snowflake on a mountain" symbol (3PMSF) indicating they meet specific snow traction performance standards.
5. Assess Braking System: The type of tires is not the only factor. "I’ve found the snow tires really make the awd shine and other than getting high-centred in deep snow which most cars would suffer from, pure ice is your only enemy," notes one user. (source)

Tools needed:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Tread depth gauge

Step-by-Step Fix

The most effective solution to address tire issues in cold weather for the 2020 Subaru WRX is to switch to dedicated winter tires. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Research and Select Winter Tires: Choose winter tires that are appropriate for your driving conditions and climate. Consider factors such as snow and ice performance, tread life, and noise levels. Look for tires with the "snowflake on a mountain" symbol (3PMSF) to ensure they meet winter performance standards. "You will notice a night and day difference with snow tires, the soft meaty compound of sport tires becomes slippery/hard like ice itself when the temperature drops enough; even before the snow and ice," explains an owner. (source)
2. Purchase Winter Tires: Buy a set of four winter tires from a reputable tire retailer. Ensure that the tires are the correct size for your 2020 Subaru WRX.
3. Install Winter Tires: Have the winter tires professionally installed by a tire shop or mechanic. Ensure that the tires are properly balanced and mounted on your vehicle.
4. Check Tire Pressure: After installation, verify that the tire pressure is set to the recommended level for your vehicle, as indicated on the tire placard (usually located on the driver's side doorjamb or in the owner's manual).
5. Store Summer/All-Season Tires: Properly store your summer or all-season tires in a cool, dry place. Clean the tires before storing them and protect them from direct sunlight to prevent the rubber from deteriorating.
6. Monitor Tire Pressure Regularly: Check and adjust your tire pressure regularly (at least once a month) as temperatures fluctuate. Tire pressure decreases as temperatures drop, which can affect handling and tire wear.
7. Consider Studded Tires: Depending on your local laws and driving conditions, consider studded tires for enhanced grip on ice. "Studded tires are legal between October 15th and April 15th here in ND, I would check your individual state's laws" advises one owner. (source)
8. Test Drive: After installing the winter tires, take the vehicle for a test drive in a safe, controlled environment to assess the improved handling and traction.
9. Re-install Summer/All-Season Tires: Once the winter season is over and temperatures consistently rise above freezing, remove the winter tires and re-install your summer or all-season tires.

Parts and Tools Needed

• Set of four winter tires (correct size for 2020 Subaru WRX)
• Tire pressure gauge
• Jack and lug wrench (if doing it yourself)
• Wheel chocks
• Torque wrench
• Storage bags for summer/all-season tires

Real Owner Costs

• Winter Tires (set of four): $600 - $1200 (depending on brand and size)
• Professional Tire Installation: $80 - $160
• Tire Storage (at tire shop): $50 - $100 per season
• DIY Installation: $0 (if you have the tools and experience)

One owner found a good deal on rims: "But $40 for each rim. No bends or anything as far as I can tell" ($40) (source) This could potentially lower the installation cost.

DIY vs. Shop: If you're comfortable with using a jack and lug wrench, and have a torque wrench, you can save money by installing the tires yourself. However, professional installation ensures proper balancing and torqueing of the lug nuts, which is crucial for safety and tire wear.

Prevention

• Use Winter Tires: The most effective way to prevent tire-related issues in cold weather is to use dedicated winter tires during the winter months.
• Monitor Tire Pressure: Regularly check and adjust your tire pressure to the recommended level.
• Proper Tire Storage: Store your summer or all-season tires properly during the winter to prevent them from deteriorating.
• Regular Tire Inspections: Inspect your tires regularly for wear, damage, and proper tread depth.
• Avoid Aggressive Driving: Drive cautiously in cold weather conditions, avoiding sudden acceleration, braking, and turning.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from SUBARU owners:

Owner Experiences

"Seen everyone talking about blizzards this and winter tires that. Ive lived in the Midwest my whole life where it snows big just about every year throughout the winter." — DueMolasses9571 (source)

"Ive lived in the Midwest my whole life where it snows big just about every year throughout the winter. Ive got some year or so old general gmax A/S and it drove great!" — DueMolasses9571 (source)

"I’ve found the snow tires really make the awd shine and other than getting high-centred in deep snow which most cars would suffer from, pure ice is your only enemy." — wesleywhitmore (source)

Pro Tips from Owners

💡 "If you have snow tires, then ya you should be confident in the snow! You still don't want to do something stupid, but you can be confident." — Meatt (source)

Real Repair Costs

"But $40 for each rim. No bends or anything as far as I can tell" — Resident_Sky6626 (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix this issue? A: Swapping tires takes about 1-2 hours at a shop or a bit longer if you're doing it yourself. Selecting the right tires might take a few hours of research beforehand.

Q: Can I drive with summer tires in the snow? A: While it's possible to drive with summer tires in light snow, it's not recommended. The reduced grip can make it dangerous, especially in icy conditions. It is highly advisable to switch to winter tires for optimal safety. "I used the Blizzak because the OEM summer tires were unusable on snow," one owner stated. (source)

Q: Is this a common issue on the 2020 Subaru WRX? A: Yes, it's common for 2020 Subaru WRX owners in colder climates to experience tire-related issues due to the factory-equipped tires not being optimized for winter conditions. Switching to winter tires is a common solution.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what's recommended? A: If you're comfortable with basic car maintenance and have the necessary tools, you can install the tires yourself. However, professional installation ensures proper balancing and torqueing, which is crucial for safety. Unless you're confident and experienced, it's best to have a professional do it.

Q: What's the difference between all-season and winter tires? A: All-season tires are designed to offer a compromise between summer and winter performance. However, they don't perform as well as dedicated winter tires in severe cold, snow, or ice. Winter tires have a special rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures and a tread pattern designed to grip snow and ice.

Q: How do I know when it's time to replace my winter tires? A: Winter tires should be replaced when their tread depth reaches 6/32 of an inch. Some winter tires have a tread wear indicator that shows when they need to be replaced.