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Author Topic: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?  (Read 917 times)

Offline jtmann

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Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« on: November 11, 2009, 03:45:45 pm »
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
« Last Edit: November 11, 2009, 05:57:11 pm by jtmann »
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Offline Art

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Re: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2009, 04:34:17 pm »
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. 
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Offline acck

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Re: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2009, 10:08:41 pm »
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.
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Offline weebl

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Re: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2009, 10:20:03 am »
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.
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Offline Nathan@1010tires

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Re: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2009, 06:52:01 pm »
As stated, if the pressure is correct, there is nothing to worry about  :)
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Offline vdk

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Re: Tire pressure/rubber - winter tires?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2009, 08:10:42 pm »
Quote from: weebl on November 12, 2009, 10:20:03 am
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.

 :iagree:


And congratulations on your first car!
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