Cause for concern?

[dorkdog]

I have a question about my winter tire setup. I added new Motegi wheels and General Altimax tires all round, 205/50/17 as recommended... rims are 17" (17X8)

So, after doing so, as I drive at 60MPH in 5th gear (MT6) I punch it and my little triangle with the arrow around it lites up - traction control! Never happened with my staggered setup... except on bumpy turns which I can fathom.

Why is my traction control coming on with new tires at straightline acceleration? Weather conditions: Dry, 30 degrees F.

I'm able to replicate this pretty easily, especially at speeds where my car is getting into a little bounce with the roadway - punch it and the damn light comes on. Is there something wrong with my setup? The handling is a lot nicer than it was before, with staggered Michelins on stock rims.

Pretty confused ....

[3002 tii]

1. You need to break in new tires
2. Even after breaking in winter tires have a very soft compound with huge tread blocks which is not conducive for better traction.
3. You're running a narrow square setup

All this to say what you're experiencing is normal for snow tires.

[TheSt|G]

And Generals are known for being cheap, not having sporty grip.

[CAVU]

Interesting. I actually get fewer traction control lights with my square Michelin PA3 winter setup than I did with my staggered summer PSSs when the temperatures were 30 deg F.

Is your winter tire advertised as a performance winter tire? I'd have to agree with 3002 Tii and TheSt|g. What you are experiencing is probably normal considering your equipment and conditions.

[RoundelM3]

Hint: winter tires are not "performance" tires - the rubber compound is harder and the tread design is meant for traction in snow, which doesn't necessarily translate to smooth surfaces, particularly in very cold conditions. That and 205-width tires are not going to give you the same bite that your softer-compound 225 (or wider) tires.

[dorkdog]

No, they are not performance tires and I am not driving in a manner conducive to that. They are, however, rated highly on TireRack which is why I bought them.
Punching the gas at 60 in 5th doesn't exactly generate a lot of pull! I could see this happening on a rabbit start or an acceleration in a turn, but this seemed a bit excessive.

Perhaps next winter I'll switch to 225/45/17s all round.

Thanks for your input; I kinda figured as much.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Hint: winter tires are not "performance" tires - the rubber compound is harder and the tread design is meant for traction in snow, which doesn't necessarily translate to smooth surfaces, particularly in very cold conditions. That and 205-width tires are not going to give you the same bite that your softer-compound 225 (or wider) tires.

I assume you mean softer in winter tires.

Originally Posted by dorkdog

No, they are not performance tires and I am not driving in a manner conducive to that. They are, however, rated highly on TireRack which is why I bought them.
Punching the gas at 60 in 5th doesn't exactly generate a lot of pull! I could see this happening on a rabbit start or an acceleration in a turn, but this seemed a bit excessive.

Perhaps next winter I'll switch to 225/45/17s all round.

Thanks for your input; I kinda figured as much.

I went with Blizzak LM 60 225/45/17 and can still spin them quite easily. But I have a 135. Makes me appreciate the PSS.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Hint: winter tires are not "performance" tires - the rubber compound is harder and the tread design is meant for traction in snow, which doesn't necessarily translate to smooth surfaces, particularly in very cold conditions. That and 205-width tires are not going to give you the same bite that your softer-compound 225 (or wider) tires.

I don't think anyone is under the impression that a winter tire is a performance tire. Tire Rack breaks them down to Performance Winter/Snow, Studless Ice & Snow, and Studdable Winter/Snow. I used the term "performance winter tire", assuming most folks understood that in the spectrum of winter tires, a "performance winter tire" represents better wet/dry traction at winter temperatures at the expense of pure ice/snow traction.

Technically speaking, winter tire rubber compounds are NOT harder… they are designed to stay softer and more compliant in freezing temperatures than summer tire rubber compounds.