Car sways a lot after getting set of new tyres

[suvidh]

I recently got new set of tyres as older ones wore out maybe due to bad alignment or aggressive driving.

Since I got the new tyres I feel the car sways more than it did earlier with older tyres, when floored and I see the traction yellow light flash more often than before. I drive in sports mode for suspension ( not sports +) and manual paddle shift on the auto DCT

I feel the car tails more to the left most of the times. Its a RIght hand drive car. No idea if that has any co relation .

Can someone advise if this could happen if the dealer didn't do the alignment properly or for any other possible reason ?

S

[skier219]

Check your tire pressure all around, but especially at the rear.

[cdeslandes]

Some tires are a lot more sensitive to improper wheel alignment than others.

GoodYear Eagle F1 for example.

Get the alignment checked.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by suvidh

I recently got new set of tyres as older ones wore out maybe due to bad alignment or aggressive driving.

Since I got the new tyres I feel the car sways more than it did earlier with older tyres, when floored and I see the traction yellow light flash more often than before. I drive in sports mode for suspension ( not sports +) and manual paddle shift on the auto DCT

I feel the car tails more to the left most of the times. Its a RIght hand drive car. No idea if that has any co relation .

Can someone advise if this could happen if the dealer didn't do the alignment properly or for any other possible reason ?

S

Tire pressure and alignment are certainly a possibilities, but one question I would ask is if your new set are exactly the same as your old tyres, I assume your old set were RFT, and if so are your new tyres RFTs? Non-RFTs sidewall is more compliant and typically provides a better ride and handling characteristics.

The RHD vs LHD makes no difference. The key is that you didn't notice any of this issues before, so obviously something has changed. Could be pressure, could be the brand/type/tread pattern if the tyres are different. Tyres in the States have traction ratings - not sure if that applies to your country.

Help us out with a little more info.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by suvidh

I recently got new set of tyres as older ones wore out maybe due to bad alignment or aggressive driving.

Since I got the new tyres I feel the car sways more than it did earlier with older tyres, when floored and I see the traction yellow light flash more often than before. I drive in sports mode for suspension ( not sports +) and manual paddle shift on the auto DCT

I feel the car tails more to the left most of the times. Its a RIght hand drive car. No idea if that has any co relation .

Can someone advise if this could happen if the dealer didn't do the alignment properly or for any other possible reason ?

S

you have to break them in... no hard acceleration, no hard braking, no hard cornering... you have to remember that when they vulcanize the rubber and insert them into the mold that gives them tread, the machine is lubricated, the rubber needs to "cure" and the internal components all settle with the weight of the car.

[suvidh]

Same trye pressure as before, i alread got that checked couple of times
Tyre is exact same as earlier. (RFT) Potenza 255/35 r18 rear, 225/40 r18 front
With the same speed and traction ratings.

Only think i could possibily do is get the alignment checked again i suppose?

S

[richard in NC]

The most likely causes for all of your symptoms vary. If the car pulls to the left when going down a straight road, that's definitely alignment, but possibly a stuck brake. A right hand drive driven on the left side of the road would have a slight tendency to go left due to the crown on some roads but generally shouldn't.

Traction problems compared to before would be due to a less sporty tire and compound. Unless there is a real problem with a tire I would think the difference would only be noticed under extreme driving (flooring the throttle, etc). I once had a set put on where they forgot to remove the label off the tread. Now that caused odd traction problems.

If by sway you mean a bit of wallow going around corners or first turning the wheel, switching from RFTs to non-RFTs can reduce responsiveness but a top brand tire at the right pressure should still be quite good at cornering.

If by sway you mean a wobbly feel, check that all 4 wheels are properly centered on their hubs and tightened properly. I once had a brake job done. The next day, handling was atrocious. The back end would wallow just changing lanes. I found loose screws between the brake backing plate and sub-axle. One rear tire had a 10 degree camber and was about to fall off!!!

[suvidh]

The problem is still not resolved. On flooring the car and on corners the car tails , which means traction control kicks in too often cutting the power out .

The alignmen seems ok as the car doesnt pul to the left or right under normal driving condition.

I must have driven about 200-300 kms already after i got the new set of tyres.

All the ratings and specs of the tyres are exact same as earlier tyres i had. The earlier tyres used to grip the road like magnet. With the new set the feel is like they are always skidding away and the traction contol keeps kicking in to save the car from drifting around.

I really dont know what to do here as not even sure how the dealer can fix this?

S

[suvidh]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

you have to break them in... no hard acceleration, no hard braking, no hard cornering... you have to remember that when they vulcanize the rubber and insert them into the mold that gives them tread, the machine is lubricated, the rubber needs to "cure" and the internal components all settle with the weight of the car.

Any idea how many kms should be the break in period ? as i think the problem may be more serious than just break in required. The car didnt behave like this even when it was brand new.

S

[Vector Pilot]

Not sure how severe the symtoms as described. I replaced the tires on 08 Z4 and experienced the same thing.. took the car back to the installer, we checked air pressure, and alignment. Both tests came-out negative. Continued driving the car and after time and 150 miles later the tires they seem to break-in. If your problem persists take the tech out for drive and see what he has to say.

[suvidh]

I have driven the car about 500-600 kms already since i got the tyres but dont see much improvement yet. Dealer already checked the alignment and tyre pressure and found no issue.

The tech at bmw said the tyres need to wear out , but i suppose the break in would not be like a few thousand kilometers?

Dont know how to solve this issue tho

S

[xnav]

My Potenza's have asymmetrical tread, do your outside sidewalls have 'OUTSIDE' printed on them?

[suvidh]

Yes i did see on the front tyres with the Outside on the outer side. Not checked the rear tyres tho. I will check tomorrow however i dont think the tyres would be fitted wrong as the inner side will probably wont have anything printed on them. So i am 100% sure all tyres have the name and specs printed on them, i can verify the "outside" part again tomorrow.

S

[Dr Stig 2]

Have you checked the sidewall to see how old the tyres are?
Older tyres get more brittle and lose there grip. Perhaps they fitted you with old stock they picked up cheap.
Mind you, they would need to be a few years old to see too much difference.
There is a four digit code stamped in the sidewall that shows year and week of manufacture.

[suvidh]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

Have you checked the sidewall to see how old the tyres are?
Older tyres get more brittle and lose there grip. Perhaps they fitted you with old stock they picked up cheap.
Mind you, they would need to be a few years old to see too much difference.
There is a four digit code stamped in the sidewall that shows year and week of manufacture.

I assume the stock should be new since dealer ordered direct from BMW Germany

Also when I do the launch control, the car doesn't launch in a straight line but tails towards left on launch. Exact same tail behavior on different launch attempts on different roads.

My friend Also tried the launch on this z4 on the same road and his car also tailed to the left , exact same way like my car.

The potenza tyres are summer tyres so I don't think there should be any issue due to warm climate in Mumbai .

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by suvidh

I assume...

I didn't have to read any further.
Assume nothing.
Trust no one.
Dealers are out to make money, not provide you with the best and latest spares.

I checked my tyres. It took less than 2 minutes.

My car was built in May 2010, delivered in July 2010.

The front tyres where fabricated in week 47 of 2009.
The rear tyres were fabricated in week 46 of 2009.

You should see a clear marked oval on each outer tyre surface, near the rim, about 4 centimetres long and 1 centimetre high.

Mine have a code like CJD4609 and DFJ4709.

If you have a code that is ending in 06, 07 or 08 then your tyres are older stock and may not have the same levels of grip.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by suvidh

I recently got new set of tyres as older ones wore out maybe due to bad alignment or aggressive driving.

Originally Posted by suvidh

The problem is still not resolved. On flooring the car and on corners the car tails. I must have driven about 200-300 kms already after i got the new set of tyres.

Originally Posted by suvidh

Also when I do the launch control.
The potenza tyres are summer tyres so I don't think there should be any issue due to warm climate in Mumbai .

which part of "break in" didn't you understand?? you probably deformed the tires since you can't keep your "aggressive driving" in check

[suvidh]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

which part of "break in" didn't you understand?? you probably deformed the tires since you can't keep your "aggressive driving" in check

Already drove the car around 700 kms before using the launch , i guess that should be enought kms for the tyres to break in?

S

[suvidh]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

I didn't have to read any further.
Assume nothing.
Trust no one.
Dealers are out to make money, not provide you with the best and latest spares.

I checked my tyres. It took less than 2 minutes.

My car was built in May 2010, delivered in July 2010.

The front tyres where fabricated in week 47 of 2009.
The rear tyres were fabricated in week 46 of 2009.

You should see a clear marked oval on each outer tyre surface, near the rim, about 4 centimetres long and 1 centimetre high.

Mine have a code like CJD4609 and DFJ4709.

If you have a code that is ending in 06, 07 or 08 then your tyres are older stock and may not have the same levels of grip.

Thanks for the advise. I did check and the tyres are some week 29 th of 2009 build which is about 1.5+ years old. Since i am paying in 2011, i should be getting 2011 or atleast end 2010 stock. I have taken up the matter with the dealer to replace the tyres with new stock.

They will get back to me next week about this.

Great advise, appreciate it!
"Assume nothing.
Trust no one."

[Dr Stig 2]

It hasn't failed me yet.

Mind you, it's not really paranoia if they ARE out to get me.