Sensitive to road crown?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
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Sensitive to road crown?
Hey guys,
I'm new to driving vettes (or anything with a tire wider than 7 inches for that matter). I was wondering, are vehicles like these extra sensitive to road crowns and curvatures etc?
It seems to me to want to pull to whatever side the road crowns strongly. At first I thought it was an alignment thing until I started to notice it going both left and right.
Also, do these tend to have a lot of rolling resistance with the clutch in or neutral? At stop lights with my Supra I noticed I had to do a lot to keep from rolling backwards. The vette just kinda plants in 1 spot. Just wondering if this is a sign of any maintenance needed.
Just trying to get a feel for the car, I've only had it since Friday. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I'm new to driving vettes (or anything with a tire wider than 7 inches for that matter). I was wondering, are vehicles like these extra sensitive to road crowns and curvatures etc?
It seems to me to want to pull to whatever side the road crowns strongly. At first I thought it was an alignment thing until I started to notice it going both left and right.
Also, do these tend to have a lot of rolling resistance with the clutch in or neutral? At stop lights with my Supra I noticed I had to do a lot to keep from rolling backwards. The vette just kinda plants in 1 spot. Just wondering if this is a sign of any maintenance needed.
Just trying to get a feel for the car, I've only had it since Friday. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
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From: Long Island NY
The road crown will make the car pull to one side, not really something to worry about. When you got the car was an alignment done? If not or if you don't know then I would strongly recommmend having one done. Tires are expensive and a slightly off wheel alignment will cause your tires to wear unevenly rather quickly. I drive an A4, so I can't comment on the clutch question. Anyway, welcome to the forum and good luck with your Vette!
Instructor
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From: Naples, FL -/- Oxford, England
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Many of these new three lane Interstate the inside lane slants strongly to the left and the outside lane medium to the right. Center lanes seem nice and flat. Monitor your tire wear in the front for unusual wear. If necessary and it is pulling one way or another have a good alignment done.
It will roll on any sort of incline, always make sure you fully set the parking brake. It's not that heavy compared to other vehicles.
It will roll on any sort of incline, always make sure you fully set the parking brake. It's not that heavy compared to other vehicles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Wide tires just do this.
With the contact patch being so wide (and not long as on skinny tires) there are a lot of forces trying to guide the tire. Lines in the pavement, "turtle-back" profile and pavement grades all contribute to pull and wandering.
Different brands of tires do respond to this differently. But, by the norm, the wider footprint is going to give you the addition of these characteristics.
With the contact patch being so wide (and not long as on skinny tires) there are a lot of forces trying to guide the tire. Lines in the pavement, "turtle-back" profile and pavement grades all contribute to pull and wandering.
Different brands of tires do respond to this differently. But, by the norm, the wider footprint is going to give you the addition of these characteristics.
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St. Jude Donor '12
You dont talk about the year of the car and the type of tires you have on it but if its the goodyear original tires, they do this alot. You can reduce the problem some by putting on a good quality tire such as the michelins.
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Mine rolls easily. Parking brake is worthless on much of a grade. Crested roads suck. Give me nice flat surfaces and some wicked curves and I'm happy
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The wide tires on the C5 do tend to follow the road irregularities pretty easily - just the way things are. I have noticed this with every Vette I have owned and the alignment was just fine on them.
In neutral or with the clutch pushed in and on an incline, the car should roll fairly easy. Make sure your parking brake is fully disengaged if your's is just staying planted. Or you could have a brake caliper that might be sticking.
In neutral or with the clutch pushed in and on an incline, the car should roll fairly easy. Make sure your parking brake is fully disengaged if your's is just staying planted. Or you could have a brake caliper that might be sticking.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
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x2 I just did my brakes and was a bit surprised that I just kinda planted when I first rolled to a stop. After a few days it is returning to normal.
