Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?

[jtmann]

A bit of a newbie question, but just got my first car a few months ago so bear with me.

Just had my local shop change over my all seasons to winters. After they did it, I noticed that my two front tires are lower to the ground/rubber is more depressed than the back tires - maybe by 3/4 of an inch or so. I'm not referring to the wheel height in relation to wheel well, but rather the depression of the rubber where it meets the pavement. A picture is attached (click it to enlarge). The PSI of all tires is the same - I checked it with a gauge and none are underinflated. I never noticed this on my all seasons but then again I never looked, so it might have been the same!

I assume this is normal and is just caused by the front end of car being heavier than back due to engine in front?

And/or is the rubber on winters softer than all seasons?

Thanks

[Art]

Most front wheel drive vehicles have 60% of the weight of the car on the front wheels and so the tires will compress (deflect) more than the rears.  The picture looks like a normal tire deflection to me.

I doubt that the winter tires would show more deflection to the eye than all season tires with the same pressure. 

[acck]

Check you tire pressure and see if it matches the sticker on the drivers door. Make sure you check it when the tire is cool.

[weebl]

It's possible they may appear visually "less inflated."  Tread and sidewall design differences with winter tires versus all-season would add something to this visual effect, along with a softer sidewall.  If there was -1 sizing involved, this would also contribute to it.

[Nathan@1010tires]

As stated, if the pressure is correct, there is nothing to worry about 

[vdk]

It's possible they may appear visually "less inflated."  Tread and sidewall design differences with winter tires versus all-season would add something to this visual effect, along with a softer sidewall.  If there was -1 sizing involved, this would also contribute to it.

 


And congratulations on your first car!