Subaru Ascent 2018-2026 Owner's Manual: Wear indicators

1. New tread
2. Worn tread
3. Tread wear indicator

Each tire installed on your Subaru Ascent is equipped with built-in tread wear indicators. These indicators become visible once the tread depth has worn down to approximately 0.063 in (1.6 mm). When this happens, the indicator appears as a continuous band across the tread surface.

At this stage, the tire has reached its service limit and must be replaced immediately to maintain safe driving conditions and proper traction.

WARNING

When the tread wear indicator on your Subaru Ascent tires becomes visible, the tire is no longer safe for use. Driving at higher speeds, especially in wet conditions, significantly increases the risk of hydroplaning.

Loss of traction may lead to reduced vehicle control and could result in a serious accident.

NOTE

For maximum safety, regularly inspect the tire tread on your Subaru Ascent and replace tires before the wear indicators become visible.

Rotational direction of tires

Example of rotational direction marked on the sidewall

1. Front

Some tires used on your Subaru Ascent are designed with a specific rotational direction. In such cases, always follow the directional arrow marked on the tire sidewall.

When installing these tires, ensure that the arrow points in the forward direction of vehicle travel to maintain optimal grip, water dispersion, and handling performance.

Tire rotation

Vehicles equipped with 4 non-unidirectional tires

1. Front

Vehicles equipped with unidirectional tires

1. Front

Tire wear patterns vary depending on position, driving habits, and road conditions. To promote even wear and extend tire life on your Subaru Ascent, rotate the tires according to the patterns shown in the illustrations and follow the recommended schedule in the "Warranty and Maintenance Booklet".

If any tire shows signs of damage or uneven wear, replace it during rotation to maintain balanced performance.

After completing tire rotation on your Subaru Ascent, always adjust tire pressures to the recommended values and ensure that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.

After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km), recheck the wheel nut torque and retighten any that may have loosened.