[NxTH]

I live in the cold climate, so we use summer and winter tires. With winter tires, there are zero issues. However, when summer tires are put on:

- Steering wheel becomes harder to turn and feels notchy in the middle
- Steering wheel doesn't stay straight, instead, it will 'drop' a few notches to the right, making the car slowly veer to the right. Even if I position the steering wheel to the left, it will not return to the middle, but rather slowly notch itself to the right, being off a few degrees.

Garage said no visible problems with tires or wheels. They just blamed uneven roads. Then why doesn't this happen with winter tires? Both tire sets are 18". The only real difference is that the summer tires use TSW aftermarket wheels. Tires are Maxxis Victra Sport.

I bought the car last summer, and noticed the problem shortly after. Could alignment help, or is it a waste of money considering I have no issues with the winter tires?

[J555]

What exactly means "no visible problems"? Did they check both front wheels on the balancing machine? Or removed the tires to check the rims?

My first suspect would be a bent rim...

[NxTH]

Did more thorough testing. It's extreme tramlining. If I switch lanes to the left, the steering wheel will drop to the left a few notches. I also stupidly realized that the summer tires are 19", not 18" and they are also wider. Guess that's just normal with 19"'s.

[Chigurh]

I guess you need a wheel alignment. I did and didn't notice until I got the summer wheels on since they are bigger and wider and more prone to tramlining than the high profile balloon winter tires.

Good after alignment again.

[rdt22]

I also suggest a wheel alignment just to rule one problem out.

[NxTH]

Originally Posted by rdt22

I also suggest a wheel alignment just to rule one problem out.

Alignment done. Still tramlines the same. Anyone have the same width of 235 on 19"'s?

[alohasurftoad]

What is the offset of the TSW rims? What size are Maxxis tires and how new are they?

Tbh, I'd consider a better tire brand/model. What other brands are available in Finland? How about a Nokian summer tire?
.

[NxTH]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

What is the offset of the TSW rims? What size are Maxxis tires and how new are they?

Tbh, I'd consider a better tire brand/model. What other brands are available in Finland? How about a Nokian summer tire?
.

I'll have to check on the offsets. I have personally never heard of this Maxxis, they were bought by the previous owner. I'll have to see if it improves with the next set of tires. I usually go with Nokian's. The Maxxis ones are pretty new, 1 summer old.

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by Nico-

I'll have to check on the offsets. I have personally never heard of this Maxxis, they were bought by the previous owner. I'll have to see if it improves with the next set of tires. I usually go with Nokian's. The Maxxis ones are pretty new, 1 summer old.

i ask about offset and tire size to see if there is a problem with scrub radius, however if they are of typical spec for F3/4 series it is unlikely to be the cause.

even if one season old, the Maxxis might have worn in "weirdly" from the previous owner and is causing the problem. i agree and think that a new set of Nokians will remedy your situation.

[WDE82]

Buy some Michelins. That'll probably help.