i just got a new set of 205/50/15 nitto neo gen tires installed on my 00 si with stock wheels, at higher speeds, over 60, it feels like my whole car is swaying back and forth, like the wheels are moving inside the tires. and around turns on the expressway it feels like the back end is going to swing out like in a rear wheel drive car. i was wondering if this was normal for new tires or if it needs an alignment or if the tires are too wide for the stock wheels, any input would be greatly appreciated. if this is a stupid question let me know


Modified by 502em1 at 11:37 AM 8/11/2007

 

Did you get the tires balanced? Are the tires directional? If so are they facing the correct way? Lugnuts tight? Your car lowered? If so do you have a camber kit?

 

Well, it's definitely not normal. Doostur's questions are the right ones to look at first. You should also check your tire pressures.

The NeoGen is asymmetric, but not directional. So you need to make sure that they were mounted with the proper side facing outwards (according to the markings on the sidewall).

Are these tires worse than what you were using before?

It's also possible that the tires need to be broken in. Sometimes tires feel "greasy" for the first few hundred miles.

 

Did you get the tires balanced?

-yes

Are the tires directional?

-no, and they are on the rim with the correct side facing out.

Lugnuts tight?

-yes

Your car lowered?

- yes, with skunk2 camber kit.

 

Are these tires worse than what you were using before?

-yes, i had azenis on the wheels and they were bald, i didn't like the tread wear on them because they didn't last that long. thats why i went with the neogen's they had a higher tread wear rating on them.

It's also possible that the tires need to be broken in. Sometimes tires feel "greasy" for the first few hundred miles.

- thats what i was thinking but i wanted some opinions so i didnt end up eff something up.

 

Well, I think that explains the difference. I don't know if the mold release lubricant on the tires is a factor; drive them a few hundred miles, and you can rule that out. I think what you're noticing is just the difference between driving a supersticky summer tire (the Azenis) and a not-great all-season tire (the NeoGen). Remember, all-season tires are a compromise; in moderate to warm temperatures, they don't grip as well as summer tires (even inexpensive summer tires), but they grip okay (not great) on snow and in frigid cold. If you don't need to use these tires on snow - maybe you have other tires or another vehicle for winter use - you should really consider getting summer tires rather than the NeoGens, if you want to get better grip. There are plenty of summer tires out there that last a lot longer than the Azenis and will grip much better than any all-season tire; for example, the Kumho SPT and Yokohama ES100 are good ones to consider in 205/50-15.

 

well i will beg to differ on the compromise of handling, i had these same tires on my auto x's and they didn't feel like this, granted i had an alignment done the same day as i had the tires installed but i didn't notice what i am now. and for grip, they grip to the road but it feels as if the rim is moving inside the tire. it doesn't loose grip or squeal or anything, just the car feels as if it isn't secure to the rim but they are. it just doesn't make sense to me what i am feeling. it is getting a little better every day i drive and i am scheduled for an alignment this Thursday so i guess we will see after that and hopefully they just need to be broken in.

thanks for the help though i really do appreciate it. i have been lost but now this is starting to make a little sense. at least i will know what to look for.