Ride difference with 19" wheels upgraded from 18"
#1
Ride difference with 19" wheels upgraded from 18"
So I got a new set of wheels on my car and I love the look, but the ride is horrid. I think it is the tires IMO, they have a barely used set of Good Year Eagle RSA's on the wheels, and I think for the previous wheels with the bigger sidewall, the tire was ok. These tires on the smaller side wall are terrible. I am not expecting the car to ride as soft, but the difference that I am experiencing is huge.
The ride is terrible between 65-90mph. Below that it is not that bad. I went yesterday to get a balance on the wheels just to make sure. I have read online that the RSA's are a horrible ride. Whats everyone's take on this? What should I switch to to get the most out of my ride comfort? I dont usually push my car too much so I do not need a performance wheel. I will be using these as all season.
I also have the pressure set to 38PSI all the way around.
The ride is terrible between 65-90mph. Below that it is not that bad. I went yesterday to get a balance on the wheels just to make sure. I have read online that the RSA's are a horrible ride. Whats everyone's take on this? What should I switch to to get the most out of my ride comfort? I dont usually push my car too much so I do not need a performance wheel. I will be using these as all season.
I also have the pressure set to 38PSI all the way around.
#5
From what I am reading, they are needed more on aftermarket wheels.
#6
I don't have any experience to give great advice here, but I do believe that lowering that pressure would benefit ride comfort. Drop it to 32-33, the go on a drive and test the difference. If it didn't help much, go ahead and boost it back up and then keep looking for the culprit.
#7
I don't have any experience to give great advice here, but I do believe that lowering that pressure would benefit ride comfort. Drop it to 32-33, the go on a drive and test the difference. If it didn't help much, go ahead and boost it back up and then keep looking for the culprit.
#8
#10
19" tires on the Maxima are usually 40 profile, while the 18" tires are 45 profile. With similar inflation, the 40 profile tire will ride harder than the 45 profile tire. If your tires are lower than 40 profile, the ride is going to be very firm.
I have the Goodyear RSA 18" tires on my '09, and have over 36K miles on them with around 6/32nds of an inch of rubber left (they come with 11/32nds", and should be replaced with around 4/32nds or 3/32nds left).
I have never had this car aligned, and have never had these tires balanced. I rotated them only at 15K and 30K. They have worn very evenly, and ride very smoothly, even at freeway speeds.
I check the tread depth of each groove on each tire every three months. I raise the psi slightly if the center grooves are wearing faster, and lower the psi if the outer grooves are wearing faster. I presently have 36 psi in the front and 35 in the rear tires.
These tires do not ride hard. Even my wife says the ride is very comfortable.
With the 19" 40 profile tires, I would expect a firmer ride. I would also expect to be carrying a lower psi. I would probably start with 34 or 35 in front and 33 or 34 in the rear. I'm sure that 38 psi would be quite firm. 38 psi would give a little more turning control on perfectly level pavement, but could result in a bouncing effect (and less control) with the rear tires, when turning sharply on uneven pavement.
With 19" 40 profile tires, if your ride is not good at 33 to 35 psi, there is something not right with your tire/wheel situation. Be sure your tire guage is accurate. Your description sounds as if you have around 40 psi, which, in 40 profile tires, would give sort of a buckboard ride (like the Saleen Mustang my son used to drive).
I have the Goodyear RSA 18" tires on my '09, and have over 36K miles on them with around 6/32nds of an inch of rubber left (they come with 11/32nds", and should be replaced with around 4/32nds or 3/32nds left).
I have never had this car aligned, and have never had these tires balanced. I rotated them only at 15K and 30K. They have worn very evenly, and ride very smoothly, even at freeway speeds.
I check the tread depth of each groove on each tire every three months. I raise the psi slightly if the center grooves are wearing faster, and lower the psi if the outer grooves are wearing faster. I presently have 36 psi in the front and 35 in the rear tires.
These tires do not ride hard. Even my wife says the ride is very comfortable.
With the 19" 40 profile tires, I would expect a firmer ride. I would also expect to be carrying a lower psi. I would probably start with 34 or 35 in front and 33 or 34 in the rear. I'm sure that 38 psi would be quite firm. 38 psi would give a little more turning control on perfectly level pavement, but could result in a bouncing effect (and less control) with the rear tires, when turning sharply on uneven pavement.
With 19" 40 profile tires, if your ride is not good at 33 to 35 psi, there is something not right with your tire/wheel situation. Be sure your tire guage is accurate. Your description sounds as if you have around 40 psi, which, in 40 profile tires, would give sort of a buckboard ride (like the Saleen Mustang my son used to drive).
#11
19" tires on the Maxima are usually 40 profile, while the 18" tires are 45 profile. With similar inflation, the 40 profile tire will ride harder than the 45 profile tire. If your tires are lower than 40 profile, the ride is going to be very firm.
I have the Goodyear RSA 18" tires on my '09, and have over 36K miles on them with around 6/32nds of an inch of rubber left (they come with 11/32nds", and should be replaced with around 4/32nds or 3/32nds left).
I have never had this car aligned, and have never had these tires balanced. I rotated them only at 15K and 30K. They have worn very evenly, and ride very smoothly, even at freeway speeds.
I check the tread depth of each groove on each tire every three months. I raise the psi slightly if the center grooves are wearing faster, and lower the psi if the outer grooves are wearing faster. I presently have 36 psi in the front and 35 in the rear tires.
These tires do not ride hard. Even my wife says the ride is very comfortable.
With the 19" 40 profile tires, I would expect a firmer ride. I would also expect to be carrying a lower psi. I would probably start with 34 or 35 in front and 33 or 34 in the rear. I'm sure that 38 psi would be quite firm. 38 psi would give a little more turning control on perfectly level pavement, but could result in a bouncing effect (and less control) with the rear tires, when turning sharply on uneven pavement.
With 19" 40 profile tires, if your ride is not good at 33 to 35 psi, there is something not right with your tire/wheel situation. Be sure your tire guage is accurate. Your description sounds as if you have around 40 psi, which, in 40 profile tires, would give sort of a buckboard ride (like the Saleen Mustang my son used to drive).
I have the Goodyear RSA 18" tires on my '09, and have over 36K miles on them with around 6/32nds of an inch of rubber left (they come with 11/32nds", and should be replaced with around 4/32nds or 3/32nds left).
I have never had this car aligned, and have never had these tires balanced. I rotated them only at 15K and 30K. They have worn very evenly, and ride very smoothly, even at freeway speeds.
I check the tread depth of each groove on each tire every three months. I raise the psi slightly if the center grooves are wearing faster, and lower the psi if the outer grooves are wearing faster. I presently have 36 psi in the front and 35 in the rear tires.
These tires do not ride hard. Even my wife says the ride is very comfortable.
With the 19" 40 profile tires, I would expect a firmer ride. I would also expect to be carrying a lower psi. I would probably start with 34 or 35 in front and 33 or 34 in the rear. I'm sure that 38 psi would be quite firm. 38 psi would give a little more turning control on perfectly level pavement, but could result in a bouncing effect (and less control) with the rear tires, when turning sharply on uneven pavement.
With 19" 40 profile tires, if your ride is not good at 33 to 35 psi, there is something not right with your tire/wheel situation. Be sure your tire guage is accurate. Your description sounds as if you have around 40 psi, which, in 40 profile tires, would give sort of a buckboard ride (like the Saleen Mustang my son used to drive).
#15
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Are you getting a vibration in the seat or steering wheel?
Are you feeling bumps more that you would like to?
Is it just that the road noise is too loud?
The road force balancing will only help if you have a vibration.
#16
My car has the sport package with 19" Goodyear RSA tires. I ride with 33 psi and find the ride to be smooth at all speeds and the tire wear to be even. As other said, increasing the pressure will make the ride harsher over bumpy roads. However, another risk is that higher pressure will make your wheels more susceptible to damage from pot holes and road irregularities.
#19
#20
You need to be more specific on what your actual complaint is.
Are you getting a vibration in the seat or steering wheel?
Are you feeling bumps more that you would like to?
Is it just that the road noise is too loud?
The road force balancing will only help if you have a vibration.
Are you getting a vibration in the seat or steering wheel?
Are you feeling bumps more that you would like to?
Is it just that the road noise is too loud?
The road force balancing will only help if you have a vibration.
I feel like between 65-90 the smoothness of the ride goes away and there is shaking.
#21
I recently upgraded to the 19" sports rims and put Nitto Motivo on them, from the 18" stock RSA. I have been to tire shop 3X and had the two rear rims "repaired" (get them back in spec since the tire shop claimed the sport rims were bent). I am still getting vibration in seat at road speed. Driving me crazy, pun intended. About to put the 18's back on!
#22
Just a general heads up: watch at garages and dealerships that they don't inflate your tires to the psi listed on the tire sidewall. They have to use the psi that's on the sticker on your door jamb otherwise you'll feel like you're riding on rocks. Many garages make this mistake.
#25
If the center of the tire is wearing faster, drop a couple pounds of air. If the shoulders are wearing faster, add a couple pounds of air.
#27
I think all of this comes down to grossly over- inflated tires. Set your pressures all the way around at 34 PSI COLD. Even with a modest 10% increase after driving on the freeway for example, your tires will be at roughly 37 PSI, which is certainly high enough for decent MPG without totally compromising center tread wear due to over- inflation. The hard ride you are experiencing is caused by hot tires running at pressures in excess of 40 PSI, plain and simple.
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