Tires again
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Tires again
Hi;
I’m looking for advice on tires.
When I wore the run-flat Goodyears down in the back, I put on a set of Nitto 555s. Still had the original Goodyears on the front. Traction was much improved, and the wheel hop problem seemed to go away.
But then the car handled funny, pulling all over the place on pavement grooves like when changing lanes, and doing the same thing where the road surface was worn into a “W” shape from traffic, or anyplace where the pavement was irregular. Made the car a lot of work to drive, and even a little dangerous to drive fast.
Questions:
Is this from the combination of run-flats and non run-flats?
Is this problem common when using two different brands of tires?
Are the stock Goodyears better than other brands in this regard?
By the way, I had Michelins on all four corners of a previous car I owned, a C4, and it had this problem really bad! I have really wide Falkens on another car, and it seems to be just fine.
I’d like to avoid guesses, and find someone who actually knows, or has experience with this. I only found one post on this, so I could sure use some help.
What's an all around good street tire that doesn't "tram track", and with a lot more traction than the original Goodyears?
Thanks
I’m looking for advice on tires.
When I wore the run-flat Goodyears down in the back, I put on a set of Nitto 555s. Still had the original Goodyears on the front. Traction was much improved, and the wheel hop problem seemed to go away.
But then the car handled funny, pulling all over the place on pavement grooves like when changing lanes, and doing the same thing where the road surface was worn into a “W” shape from traffic, or anyplace where the pavement was irregular. Made the car a lot of work to drive, and even a little dangerous to drive fast.
Questions:
Is this from the combination of run-flats and non run-flats?
Is this problem common when using two different brands of tires?
Are the stock Goodyears better than other brands in this regard?
By the way, I had Michelins on all four corners of a previous car I owned, a C4, and it had this problem really bad! I have really wide Falkens on another car, and it seems to be just fine.
I’d like to avoid guesses, and find someone who actually knows, or has experience with this. I only found one post on this, so I could sure use some help.
What's an all around good street tire that doesn't "tram track", and with a lot more traction than the original Goodyears?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
First thing, you should stay with one brand & type of tire front & back.
each tire has different characteristics and some times they don't work well with others.
That said if you want a good tire at a great pric check out Firestone wide ovals, Kumho, or the new Goodyear.
The runflats don't handle or ride as well as regular tires. just remember if you do have a flat it will be more of a hassel.
Cellphone,AAA and patience will do it.
that said I haven't had a flat in years so I'll chance it.
each tire has different characteristics and some times they don't work well with others.
That said if you want a good tire at a great pric check out Firestone wide ovals, Kumho, or the new Goodyear.
The runflats don't handle or ride as well as regular tires. just remember if you do have a flat it will be more of a hassel.
Cellphone,AAA and patience will do it.
that said I haven't had a flat in years so I'll chance it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 886
Likes: 273
From: Greenwell Springs La.
I have had Nittos front and back on three different C5's (same wheels and tires) and have not had the wandering problem like my run flats had. I currently have Falkens on my C5 and just got back from Road Atlanta in it they were no problem. A friend who had new runflats on the back and worn on the front said he had some pulling problems and he was behind me. Same road different tires. You do the math. Jimmy
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Check out the Goodyear GS-D3s, the Kuhmos or the Firestone Wide Ovals. All good tires. Chances are the wandering you describe is from the two different types of tires you have on your car.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
I have Firestone Firehawk rft's on the front and Michelin runflats on the back. No problems here. Steering and traction are very good and I have a blower to boot! I found w/ Firestones all around I noted the same groove issue w/ the road, now it seems to be minimal for some reason. In any event, although others mention about avoiding mixing tires, it seems if you keep the two rears or the two fronts the same, it may work out as in my case. I don't know about other combos though. Good luck.
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Must be the mismatch 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by Mpwr
I have the eagel F1 Supercars on my z06 front and back and my car pulls on uneven surfaces as well so Im not quite sure the problem comes from different front and back tires.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Tire rack has an interesting article. they call it tramlining...
They say it's due to wide high performance tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
They say it's due to wide high performance tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
Originally Posted by Warp Factor
So far, I haven't heard anyone mention Nitto 555s. Doesn't anyone like these any more? Comments?
I use them for auto-crossing. I probalby put 250 miles on mine a month compared to the 1000 I put on my runflats. The 555's are a tad less noisy than the runflats
. Very solid in the rain. And would consider running them as my daily tires if it wasn't for all the road construction near me (still 2 years to go on the project). They track/trammel the same as the runflats since they are the same size and my toe-in is still the stock setup. I have considered going another 1/16" to 1/8" (I think that is what I discussed with the alignment guy last time) on the toe-in to help with ruts but I don't feel like replacing the runflats every 12K miles vs the current 18K miles I am getting.