Switch from 15" to 17" - hard to steer

[Sebi]

I switched from 15" (stock) to 17" (225/45), but I find that it's harder to steer. Cornering is great, but it takes much more effort to drive around the city. Is this normal? I can understand, to a certain extent, that the tires are wider...

It's almost like the power steering is "gone", should I take it to the dealer?

Thanks!

[kevcol74]

Wider tires will make steering "harder", its normal. More tire is contacting the pavement = more friction = more steering effort required.

[McGuyver_3]

how hard is it really? My previous 3 i had 15s on in winter and 18s on in summer and didnt notice much a difference unless i was turning the wheels w/o moving the car

[Soyabean]

shouldnt be much of a difference. The rim might be a little heavier but thats what the power steering pump is for. It makes everything easier. It might be the power steering pump like you said, if you are still under warrenty, then by all means go get it checked out

[Sebi]

I find it "stiff" and harder to manouver, it's like it wants to go straight all the times. I'm OK on the highway, thou it takes more effort to switch lanes. Driving around town (30-60 km/h) is harder (significantly), at least for me it means less fun.... it's true that I can take corners much faster, but I can't do that with passengers in my car anyways.

Can this be because I have a TSB on the steering pump (2007 M3, manufactured in Oct 06)? It was easier to move around in the 15s thou...

[Soyabean]

If your car is still within the 3years or 80,000km, take it in, its free because that is within the comprehensive warrenty period

[Sebi]

I'll take it to Oakville M (due for 48k service anyways).

Is there a problem thou that it's not stock size for GS?

[SomeGuy]

Can you quantify how much harder it is to turn? 10%? 50%? 100%? etc
I found that when I went from the stock 15's up to a 17 that the steering effort got a little more difficult, but only what I'd say would be 10-20% more...the wheel does seem to naturally return to center faster as well...but nothing more then I expected with the rim/tire swap.

[Noisy Crow]

I am not sure how wide the stock 15's are... my stock 17's are 205, and I am running 225s. I find that with the wider tires the car is more sensitive to road ruts, but it steers pretty much the same.

Only thing I can think of is the same as the other posters... how heavy are your new wheels? With the increased diameter even if the wheel is the same weight as the old one the weight is pushed toward the circumfrence, increasing the gyroscopic effect, making it harder to turn the wheel. And low profile tires often have steel reinforcement, making them heavier that similar diameter regular-profile tires. And of course that weight is further out... adding the gyroscopic problem....

[condor888000]

Believe the stock 15's come with 195/65R15's on them...

[SomeGuy]

Believe the stock 15's come with 195/65R15's on them...
Yup that they do.

My 215/45/17's seem less sensitive to road ruts then my old 195/65/15's though.

[BrentC172]

You'll definitely notice a difference at first but will just get used to it. I run 18's for the summer and 16's in the winter. When I switch over I really notice it for the first couple of drives and then not at all.

[victor_t]

I just switched from the winter tires (205/60/R15) to summer tires (195/65/R15), on the same alloy wheels, and I also find it harder to steer.
the new tires (pilot exalto) are smaller than the winter tires but have a softer rubber . that may also have something to do with it.

[EvilEric]

I've spoken with some other people and there are at least 2 others that have noticed a change in steering ability after going to 17's.

For me personally it was also the fact that I went to heavier rims. Just remember to change your driving habits and brake a little earlier until you get used to it.

[towelsnap]

I've spoken with some other people and there are at least 2 others that have noticed a change in steering ability after going to 17's.

For me personally it was also the fact that I went to heavier rims. Just remember to change your driving habits and brake a little earlier until you get used to it.


Steering you will notice a slight difference not much. I went from 15s to 18s than down to 17s

[EvilEric]

Steering you will notice a slight difference not much. I went from 15s to 18s than down to 17s

I drive down steeles alot and there's alot of grooves in the road from the constant stream of trucks and cars. On 15's (stock tires or winter) the car wouldn't follow the grooves as much, ie: i had more control.

On 17's I definately have to hold the wheel more, if there is a bump or anything, the car would go in that direction. I'm used to it now, but the first few times it was very unexpected.

[mazdabetty]

On 17's I definately have to hold the wheel more, if there is a bump or anything, the car would go in that direction. I'm used to it now, but the first few times it was very unexpected.

I'm noticing this on my stock 15's I just put back on 2 weeks ago... never happened on my 15" winters though. I wonder if any of this has something to do with the quality or softness of rubber? :whoa

[condor888000]

Tire quality. Winters have soft sidewalls and tread designed for snow covered roads. All seasons grip the road better in dry driving and have a stiffer side wall, so the car drives a bit better.