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So I finally got around to replace the OEM Bridgestones after 32K miles with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and upsized it to 245/40/19 and 275/35/19. Car now feels heavier on its feet or is it just me?
This is a bit concerning. I was also waiting to make this transition (am still at 17.5k miles on my tires). When I changed to AS3's on my IS350 I immediately felt it being quicker off the line and gripping the concrete much more. Do you not feel something like that? How long have you been driving on them now?
It should corner marginally better due to the wider tires. But also because they're made from better compound. The tires will feel like they're pounding a little more on the socal roads since they're heavier. Acceleration might hurt a fraction of a tiny tiny tiny bit since its more weight to get spinning. (I don't think you'll even notice this.) If our cars were hurting for traction at take off the new tires would've improved acceleration but our V6's develop torque higher up so traction was never an issue.
But, that's the trade off for looking good. Given the option I probably would've gotten the wider tires too.
Yea maybe it's just me, it felt slower off the line. I just got them 2 days ago and haven't done much driving on them yet.
Do I need to worry about the speedo error?
I did the upsizing and did not feel it as being slower. I think it is a placebo effect. The amount of speedo error is very small. If I recall correctly something like 1.7% slower than what you are really doing so if you are seeing 100 on the speedo, you are really doing 101.7mph or something like that.
No, the difference is negligible . Changing from the stock 265/35 X 19 rear tires to your new 275/35 X 19 rear tire size will have a error of only about 1%. At 65 mph (on your speedometer) you will be traveling 65.68 mph.
I did the upsizing and did not feel it as being slower. I think it is a placebo effect. The amount of speedo error is very small. If I recall correctly something like 1.7% slower than what you are really doing so if you are seeing 100 on the speedo, you are really doing 101.7mph or something like that.
Originally Posted by bclexus
No, the difference is negligible . Changing from the stock 265/35 X 19 rear tires to your new 275/35 X 19 rear tire size will have a error of only about 1%. At 65 mph (on your speedometer) you will be traveling 65.68 mph.
Okay great, so it's just in my head then.
I got them for $1200 OTD from America's Tire with their certificate for replacement and TPMS rebuild for those who are interested. Plus the $100 gift card rebate offer. So really, it's only $1100 OTD.
Just like a new pair of shoes, your new tires need to be “broken in” for the best performance. So when you get new tires, it's a good idea to take it easy for a while.
During manufacturing, tires are coated with a release lubricant to keep them from sticking to their molds after the curing process. Some of the lubricant stays on the surface of the tires, and until it completely wears away it can reduce traction. About 500 miles of easy driving (accelerating, braking, cornering) will allow the lubricant to wear off safely and completely.Also, tires are made of several layers of materials including rubber, steel, and fabric. Giving the tire time to break in allows these different components to start working together, delivering the optimal performance and ride quality.
If you've just replaced your tires, it's probably because the old tires had very little tread left. Tires with very little tread tend to respond a bit quicker, because there's less tread that needs to flex during cornering and quick turns. Tires with a deeper tread tend to flex or “squirm” a bit more -- so they may feel slightly less responsive than your old tires, even if you replaced your old set with the exact same brand and model.So while we know you're excited to get out there and put your new tires to the test, it's in your best interest to take it easy for the first few weeks and let your tires break in naturally.