hi, so i just changed my rear tires from 245/40/17 (stock tires/rims) to 255/40/17 (toyo proxes 4) and my car feels noticeably different. my fronts are still the stock 215/45/17

when i change lanes, it feels a lot more sensitive...like a turn more than before.

then, out of reflex, i over correct the turn and start wobbling back n forth (nothing drastic or anything), but i don't feel safe.

even sometimes when i'm just accelerating in a straight line, i think there's torque steer.

also, i noticed that when i take this one exit ramp that i normally take going the same speed...i get the "danger" light (that traction light warning thing) which i never got before.

has anyone experienced this before?
are you supposed to get an alignment after changing tires?
how often are you supposed to get an alignment anyway?
or is there a break-in period for tires?

my car does favor the right slightly, so i will probably end up getting an alignment anyway, but i'm not sure if that will resolve my issue.

(btw my car has been lowered with espilar springs w/ stock shocks before changing my tires)

thanking you in advance...any help/thoughts will be greatly appreciated for i am not mechanical at all

- joe

 

you don't need an alignment for tire change.

yes, tires have a break-in period.

but it seems that your rear tires are not as sticky as the front tires.

also, you should check the rear tire pressure and make sure it is not too high.

 

Being on springs only has degraded the handling some. Combined with new rears not yet broken in, I'd imagine that is where your issue is coming from. Just get the alignment and break the rears in.

 

Don't forget the resources that are out there:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=5

 

Ok, thanks guys!

That article really helped me to understand the break in period for tires.

 

check your tire pressure also, no point in waiting for break-in if you're over-inflated, which is usually the case when you install tires at a tire shop.

 

Tire Pressure should be #1 to check.

Also, did you get it aligned after you lowered it? If not, thats a big no-no.

 

i actually bought the car lowered, so i'm not too sure if it was ever aligned

i will get it aligned this week tho

is $99 a good deal for alignment?

 

no, it's not a good deal.

 

have you checked on the tire pressure...