I just replaced my rear tires from stock so2's to yokohama AVS ES100 245-45-16. I also got my alignment done, and the best they could do with my neuspeeds is 0 degress in both fronts, and 1 3/4 degress negative in both rears. I decided to replace just the rears, beacause my fronts have plenty of tread, but I didn't think about how much difference there is now between my fronts and rears. Today was my first day on the freeway with the new tires and alignment, and it felt very weird. my car sways alot changing lance, and feels like a lot of oversteer. Any advice on how I can fix this. I am guessing I'll need to replace the fronts, but will i need to spend more $$ on alignment again?

 

replace the front tires and that should take care of your problem.

 

what size do you reccoment for the fronts?

 

post this q in the tirerack tire & wheel forum on this board and you will get the answer!

 

Did you check your air pressure???

 

I figured the guys that did my tires must have checked the pressure for me, but I will do it after work today. I was wondering why changing the front tires would fix my handling problem, if they will still be the same size 205-55-16. Or should I got with a different size in the back?

 

There are quite a few things that could be causing this problem. I had it. I know exactly what you are talking about. The only difference is that I had the stock S-02's on the car, front and back.

First, make sure that the new rear tires are the proper size. They should be 245-50-16 unless they are the OEM S-02s. If this does not help, the problem may be from your alignment. I lowered my car and when I did this, I could only get about -2.0 deg of rear camber, not a bit less. I let the alingnment "expert" talk me into dialing in 0.0 deg rear toe to reduce the wear on the rear tires since it is not the camber that makes the tires wear quickly, it is a combination of the negative camber and lots of toe. After the first alignment my car felt like the rear was going to slide out at almost any moment but once the car took a set in a corner, it gripped like crazy. This "loose" feeling was a bit unsettling though. After dialing in some rear toe, the car is perfect.

I might recommend searching for the UK alignment specs and having the car aligned as close as possible to these settings. You will be very pleased.

 

Check your tire pressure, and new tires are always pretty mushy feeling. They need to be worn in a bit, then they will feel good.

 

do a search under yokohama tires...
I've spun out w/ stock fronts and new yokos on rears. They're like plastic/slicks w/ plastic coatings. this was over the summer, and NOT cold winter.
Just be cautious for about 100 miles to breakin, then they're fine.

 

Now that I think about it....I first got my tires put on, then drove it over to get alingned. The car didn't feel all that differnt until after the alignment, so it probably has something to do with the toe and camber. Some people suggested that if I replace the front tires to yokohama's then it will feel fine, but why is that if the tire sizes are still going to be the same? normally my s would do exactly what I wanted it to do, nothing more, nothing less. Now it feels like I'm drivng a heavier car like a mini van. If I change a lane quickly then I have to counter steer just to prevent it from pulling into the next lane. by the way.....for those wondering why I'm so clue-less about my car; it's because it's my first car!