Subaru owners know their vehicles are built to take on more—more terrain, more weather, more miles. But even the most capable all-wheel-drive system and fuel-efficient boxer engine can’t perform their best if one thing is off: the tires. Surprisingly, one of the biggest factors affecting your Subaru’s MPG isn’t under the hood—it’s under the fenders.

From the Impreza to the Outback, proper tire care plays a critical role in maximizing fuel efficiency. And the best part? You don’t need expensive tools or advanced mechanical skills. With a little consistency and attention to detail, you can keep your fuel costs down and your Subaru running like it should.

Tire Pressure: Small Numbers, Big Difference

If you do nothing else, check your tire pressure. It’s the simplest, most immediate way to improve your fuel economy—and it often gets overlooked.

When your tires are underinflated, they create more rolling resistance. That means your engine has to work harder to keep the car moving, especially with Subaru’s full-time all-wheel drive constantly distributing torque to all four wheels. Even a small drop—say, just 2 to 3 PSI below the recommended level—can knock 1–2 MPG off your average.

In colder months, tire pressure tends to fall with the temperature. In the summer, it can creep up. That’s why monthly checks (when tires are cold) are important year-round.

A quick tip: The correct pressure for your Subaru is listed on the driver’s side door jamb. Don’t go by the maximum PSI listed on the tire itself—that’s a limit, not a recommendation.

Tread Depth and Rolling Resistance: The Efficiency Balance

As your tires wear, they become a little more fuel-efficient. Less tread means less rolling resistance, and that helps with MPG. But there’s a catch.

Worn tires might help with fuel economy for a while, but they also reduce grip—especially on wet roads. And once wear becomes uneven, it can do more harm than good. Flat spots, inner-edge wear, or cupping force your Subaru’s AWD system to compensate for imbalances, which adds strain and uses more fuel.

Subarus are particularly sensitive to tread variance. A difference of more than 2/32" between any two tires can damage the center differential—and while that’s a mechanical issue, it also means higher fuel consumption until it’s repaired.

Alignment: A Hidden MPG Killer

You might not feel it right away, but when your wheels are out of alignment, your fuel efficiency takes a hit. Misaligned wheels force your tires to drag slightly rather than roll freely, requiring more power from the engine to maintain momentum—especially at highway speeds.

It doesn’t take much to knock alignment off track. A hard pothole, curb bump, or worn suspension bushing is enough. If your steering wheel sits off-center, or if the car pulls to one side, it’s time to get it checked.

For Subarus, with their precise AWD geometry, alignment should be inspected:

• Every 12,000 miles
• After installing new tires
• After any suspension work
• Immediately after impact or steering issues

Proper alignment reduces mechanical drag and extends the life of your tires—both of which help with MPG.

Tire Rotations: Even Wear = Better Efficiency

Rotating your tires isn’t just about getting the most life from the rubber—it also keeps rolling resistance consistent.

Subaru recommends tire rotations every 6,000 to 7,500 miles (often done during oil changes). This keeps tread wear even, which is especially important for AWD models. If one tire wears faster than the others, it spins at a slightly different rate, forcing the drivetrain to correct for the mismatch. That correction isn’t free—it costs fuel efficiency and adds wear to driveline components.

Routine rotation also helps prevent issues like feathering or cupping, which create vibration and extra resistance on the road.

Seasonal Tires: The Right Set at the Right Time

In areas where temperatures swing drastically between seasons, many Subaru owners use both winter and summer tires—or a combination like all-season sets.

Winter tires are made of softer rubber for better grip in snow and ice. That’s great for traction—but not so great for fuel economy. The extra rolling resistance means you’ll use more gas if you keep them on after winter ends.

Likewise, summer or low-rolling-resistance tires help with MPG, but they don’t perform well in cold weather. Driving on the wrong tires for the season affects not just safety, but efficiency too.

Swapping out your tires at the right time of year keeps your fuel use in check—and protects your tires from premature wear.

TPMS and Load Awareness

Your Subaru’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is helpful, but not perfect. It’ll alert you when the pressure drops too low—but it won’t catch gradual pressure changes, overinflation, or differences between tires.

And when you add weight—say, a road trip full of luggage, a rooftop tent, or a couple of bikes on a hitch-mounted rack—you’re changing how your tires respond. Heavier loads compress the tires more, create more heat, and increase rolling resistance.

Subarus doesn’t have automatic load-based inflation sensors. You need to adjust the pressure manually if your cargo or passenger weight changes significantly. A few extra PSI when carrying more can help preserve tire shape and improve mileage.

Driving Style and Road Surface

Even with perfect tire care, your driving habits and local roads play a big role in fuel economy.

• Aggressive acceleration or braking increases heat and deforms tire structure
• Rough or unpaved roads add resistance and wear down the tread faster
• Consistent stop-and-go driving wears front tires unevenly, especially in urban traffic

The smoother you drive, the more evenly your tires wear, and the better your Subaru performs overall. Tire heat, pressure shifts, and uneven wear all rise with erratic driving.

What Subaru Service Centers Can Do for Your Tires

You don’t need to handle all of this on your own. At a certified Subaru service center, tire care includes:

• Digital tread depth measurements
• Precision tire inflation with calibrated tools
• Rotation and balancing
• Alignment using factory specs
• TPMS sensor testing and battery replacement
• Tire inspection for premature wear patterns, dry rot, and sidewall damage

Technicians can also spot issues you might miss—like signs of suspension wear, improper lug torque, or unbalanced load wear—all of which reduce fuel efficiency if left unaddressed.

Fuel Efficiency Starts at Ground Level

Subaru engineered your vehicle to be fuel-efficient—but that efficiency is only as good as the contact patch it rides on. Proper tire care doesn’t take much time, but it pays off with smoother rides, longer tire life, and fewer stops at the pump.

So before you start chasing expensive mods or eco-driving tricks, take a look at your tires. They just might be the easiest way to get more miles out of every tank.