S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

can tire pressure differences really cause this?

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Old 04-19-2004, 12:34 PM
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Default can tire pressure differences really cause this?

Hello, s2K brain trust:

Here's the Setup:

MY2002 s2K
all stock, 20K miles
just (500K miles ago) put in new re750 in the rear (245/45/16)
s03 in the front, worn almost down to the wear bars on the inside, lots of tread left on the outside

Went on a trip to Yosemite last weekend and noticed the car was behaving strangely. Bump steer at lower speeds, very squirrelly front end, not the usual confidence-inspiring handling. nothing seemed to be amiss (not that i would necessarily know...), except for different tire brands.

checked tire pressure - 35lbs in left front, 32 lbs in right front. rears at 32 lbs both. Take some air out of the left front, and she is back handling like a dream.

Does this make sense? would 3 lbs of pressure difference make all that much difference in regular driving, or am i crazy? Could it be that the differences between tire brands from front to rear magnified this?

Thanks.
Old 04-19-2004, 05:02 PM
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I'd have the alignment checked, too...
Old 04-19-2004, 05:31 PM
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different tire brands? Are you kidding? Different tire brands can mean different sizes i.e. 15/45/205s for one brand can and most likely is different than another brand of 15/45/205. Also the tread pattern is obviously different which makes the tires handle differently. I would get all 4 tires the same brand. You could have some serious under/over steer and be very dangerous near the limit.
Old 04-19-2004, 05:39 PM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by avs2k

or am i crazy?
Old 04-20-2004, 08:44 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by avs2k
Hello, s2K brain trust:

Here's the Setup:

MY2002 s2K
all stock, 20K miles
just (500K miles ago) put in new re750 in the rear (245/45/16)
s03 in the front, worn almost down to the wear bars on the inside, lots of tread left on the outside

Went on a trip to Yosemite last weekend and noticed the car was behaving strangely.
Old 04-20-2004, 09:36 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by ninegrand
Old 04-20-2004, 09:48 AM
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What I am saying is they "should" be of the same make/model and rotating tires (side to side is the only option on this car), is a way of maintaining even wear on the tires.

I can't say if things would improve for you since you have different tires on the rear and I have not let my insides wear down that far prior to swapping side to side. IMO it would at least be a step in the right direction for you.
Old 04-20-2004, 09:51 AM
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ok. thanks.
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