I just installed Bridgestone RE11 tires on my car. I kept the same rear size. 245/40/17. I oversized the front 225/45/17. I used to have the RE050 tires with the same size configuration. The issue I have is that car's steering response is a lot slower now. Any recommendations?

 

1) wait 500-1000 miles for the tires to wear off the first layer of rubber, all tires are squirmy for the first little bit

2) wider tires on the same size wheel will always have a little less responsiveness.

3) check tire pressure.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yea, I know that the oversizing of the front will lose some steering response, but it wasn't this bad with the RE050, so it must be #1 and #3. For the tire pressure, what is the recommended tire pressure for front and rear?

 

#1 for sure. There is a lubricant they add to help bond the rubber layers, this needs to disperse before you're really going to find consistency in the tires.

 

Should have gone with 225/255

 

 

I have 215/245 RE050 and RE11 on two sets of identical CE28 wheels. The RE050 gives quicker steering response. I think it's because the sidewall is a little stretched on the RE050 because the tire width is so narrow. And maybe the sidewalls are stiffer. The RE11 feels sluggish to me. As did Michelin PSS and Falken RT615 I had on the same wheels.

I was expecting a bigger difference in grip, but the RE050 is right there with the RE11. Hard to beat a fresh set of RE050.

 

^^^^^

That must be one helluva set of RE050's to be the same grip level of a Re-11. Especially considering the technology difference between the two tires.

 

The marketing departments work hard convincing us that tires have taken a giant leap in the past 10 years. But the RE050 was ahead of its time. And the RE11 appears to be a step tamer than past R series Bridgestones. They shot for longer life, smoother ride, and better wet weather performance. All conspiring to bring the actual performance close to the RE050.

 

I could believe that. I know when they phased out the Re01 there was a lot of us that were disappointed with the replacement Re-11 as well. I know the Re50 is really a top handling tire. Adhesion is about the only area where it could improve some.