Tyre problem Seat Leon FR
Discussion
I needed to replace 2 of the tyres on my Leon (FR DSG petrol 2009) did a bit of reading up and the Goodyear Eagle Assymetric got good reviews so had 2 fitted. The remaining 2 Bridgestones still have 6mm tread so moved them to the front to kill them off and put the Goodyears on the rear.
Gave them a few heat cycles to get rid of any release agents and they are awful. Steady state bend on my route home which was an easy 65 to 70 before now has the stability control cutting in at 50 to 55.
Swapped the tyres round front to rear and while it is now better it feels very vague on the front end but the stability doesn't cut in.
Tyre pressures are all OK, load rating is correct and they are the German versions not the Chinese ones, any ideas?
Gave them a few heat cycles to get rid of any release agents and they are awful. Steady state bend on my route home which was an easy 65 to 70 before now has the stability control cutting in at 50 to 55.
Swapped the tyres round front to rear and while it is now better it feels very vague on the front end but the stability doesn't cut in.
Tyre pressures are all OK, load rating is correct and they are the German versions not the Chinese ones, any ideas?
Did you get the XL load rated ones or the standard ones? The XLs have as stiffer sidewall.
I've found they're quite pressure sensitive, especially if they're a couple of PSI below recommended. I run mine at 2PSI above the the recommended low-load pressure and found that reduced the woolyness on turn-in a bit.
I've found they're quite pressure sensitive, especially if they're a couple of PSI below recommended. I run mine at 2PSI above the the recommended low-load pressure and found that reduced the woolyness on turn-in a bit.
Will have to check when I get home tonight but think I got the standard and not the XL, didn't think the original Bridgestones were XL.
While I can understand the logic of a softer sidewall having an effect I don't follow why it would be worse with them on the rear where there is less load, only me in the car 95% of the time.
Did try adding some extra pressure to them (3 PSI) but didn't have much of an effect, didn't want to go to far and end up running on curved tyres.
While I can understand the logic of a softer sidewall having an effect I don't follow why it would be worse with them on the rear where there is less load, only me in the car 95% of the time.
Did try adding some extra pressure to them (3 PSI) but didn't have much of an effect, didn't want to go to far and end up running on curved tyres.
Edited by Laser Sag on Thursday 24th July 15:07
Yes was on the 4 original Bridgestones before but again my possibly/probably flawed thinking is with the new ones on the rear the rear should be more stable but its really the rear end that felt very mobile.
This was to the extent that I was glad I had driven a lot of lighter (and now heavier)rear wheel drive cars as it really was akin to oversteering one of my old TVRs. That is fun when you want to but not unprovoked with other traffic around.
Again my brain says old harder tyres on the rear with new grippier tyres on the front would have the rear being mobile but it is actually the opposite thats happening.
I appreciate I have potentially made a poor choice on the tyres but want to work out why, its not like I have put cheap tyres on or that the car weighs several tons and needs a higher load tyre. If it comes down to the fact that if I put on 2 more of the Goodyears it would be fine then I will bite the bullet and put do so but I don't want to do that and find its then totally undrivable and needs 4 more new tyres to cure it.
This was to the extent that I was glad I had driven a lot of lighter (and now heavier)rear wheel drive cars as it really was akin to oversteering one of my old TVRs. That is fun when you want to but not unprovoked with other traffic around.
Again my brain says old harder tyres on the rear with new grippier tyres on the front would have the rear being mobile but it is actually the opposite thats happening.
I appreciate I have potentially made a poor choice on the tyres but want to work out why, its not like I have put cheap tyres on or that the car weighs several tons and needs a higher load tyre. If it comes down to the fact that if I put on 2 more of the Goodyears it would be fine then I will bite the bullet and put do so but I don't want to do that and find its then totally undrivable and needs 4 more new tyres to cure it.
cuprabob said:
Any Goodyear F1s I've had needed a good few hundred miles before they gave any real grip. Much longer than any other tyre I've used. After that they were brilliant but very sensitive to pressure.
They will feel a bit different to the ones you replaced as they are a different tread pattern and compound etc. The Goodyear F1s are great tyres so as others have said run them in a bit more and they should be perfect. All high performance tyres are very sensitive to tyre pressure so make sure that it is just right for optimum performance.Hope this helps.
Thanks Luke, as above I will give them a bit longer on the front and then try them on the rear again, they were well scrubbed in during their time on the rear but hopefully will come good in time.
Have just carried out similar on the Vantage , fitted Michelin Pilot Sports to the rear, these replaced the Bridgestone REO50s that it started life on and which are still on the front. These have been great from day one, increased grip and traction at the rear which has highlighted that the fronts are not as good. This was what I expected to happen on the Leon as well, guess its just aswell I estimate for a living rather than being a professional driver LOL
Have just carried out similar on the Vantage , fitted Michelin Pilot Sports to the rear, these replaced the Bridgestone REO50s that it started life on and which are still on the front. These have been great from day one, increased grip and traction at the rear which has highlighted that the fronts are not as good. This was what I expected to happen on the Leon as well, guess its just aswell I estimate for a living rather than being a professional driver LOL
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