Hi everyone,
Can anyone tell me how to tell the difference in car movements caused by tire tread squirm, resulting from tall treads in a new tire, and thin sidewalls? This has a lot to do with the Falken Ziex 512s I bought earlier late last year to replace my stock Michelin HXMXM4s.
I had the OEM Michelins inflated to 45/40PSI front/rear, and have the 512s inflated to the same pressures.
With the 512s, I found turn-in initiation to be exceptionally poor. On the highway, the car feels like its fishtailing when a turn is initiated and finished. I get the feeling like the car is drifting and wandering around, especially when a sudden lane change is required. This is a very annoying feeling which has made me regret my purchase. Other than this trait, the tire does have redeeming qualities. Off the line the tire hooks up well in both dry and wet pavement. Also, aside from the initial turn-in, the tire hangs on during cornering very well with little to no squeal. Best of all the tire NEVER hydroplanes.
What is escaping me, however, is the cause of the soft mushy initial turn-ins. Is it caused simply by the tall new treads, thereby causing tire squirm, or is it because of thin sidewalls? If it is the tall treads, can I expect the squirminess to diminish as the tire ages?
The stock OEM Michelins, that the 512s replaced, were barely adequate on dry, however, were horrible on wet and snow, and had that annoying chirping/squeeling that we've all come to know. IMO, at least they felt more sure in the beginning and end of turns and gave me a somewhat more confident feeling during high-speed lane changes.
I've had the 512s on now for 11000km. I'd like to reserve judgement until I've had a chance to digest your comments.
Has anyone had these experiences with the 512s and can anyone comment on the sidewalls/tire squirm issue?
Thanks!
Regards,
AJW
Can anyone tell me how to tell the difference in car movements caused by tire tread squirm, resulting from tall treads in a new tire, and thin sidewalls? This has a lot to do with the Falken Ziex 512s I bought earlier late last year to replace my stock Michelin HXMXM4s.
I had the OEM Michelins inflated to 45/40PSI front/rear, and have the 512s inflated to the same pressures.
With the 512s, I found turn-in initiation to be exceptionally poor. On the highway, the car feels like its fishtailing when a turn is initiated and finished. I get the feeling like the car is drifting and wandering around, especially when a sudden lane change is required. This is a very annoying feeling which has made me regret my purchase. Other than this trait, the tire does have redeeming qualities. Off the line the tire hooks up well in both dry and wet pavement. Also, aside from the initial turn-in, the tire hangs on during cornering very well with little to no squeal. Best of all the tire NEVER hydroplanes.
What is escaping me, however, is the cause of the soft mushy initial turn-ins. Is it caused simply by the tall new treads, thereby causing tire squirm, or is it because of thin sidewalls? If it is the tall treads, can I expect the squirminess to diminish as the tire ages?
The stock OEM Michelins, that the 512s replaced, were barely adequate on dry, however, were horrible on wet and snow, and had that annoying chirping/squeeling that we've all come to know. IMO, at least they felt more sure in the beginning and end of turns and gave me a somewhat more confident feeling during high-speed lane changes.
I've had the 512s on now for 11000km. I'd like to reserve judgement until I've had a chance to digest your comments.
Has anyone had these experiences with the 512s and can anyone comment on the sidewalls/tire squirm issue?
Thanks!
Regards,
AJW