Winter Tire Vibrations

[davmcn]

Hi All,

I got my winter tires installed last week and since then I've been having vibrations (80km/hr+)only in my seat not the steering wheel.

I got the Mazda Dealership to re-do the balancing of the tires with no luck. Any suggestions of what to do as it's very annoying.

I heard that Hub Centric Rings may fix the problem, is that true?

Dave.

[sarujo]

What tires and rims? What year is your ride? Are you using steelies or alloys? I assume new tires here?

[davmcn]

2013 Mazda 3 GT with alloys rims(new) and Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter(new also)

[sarujo]

Are you using the stock alloys for the winter rubber or is this another alloy set?

If the alloys are not OEM stock rims then you will need hub rings if the bore diameter does not match the mazda.

[davmcn]

Are you using the stock alloys for the winter rubber or is this another alloy set?

If the alloys are not OEM stock rims then you will need hub rings if the bore diameter does not match the mazda.

The alloys are not OEM stock rims. They are 16' and the centerbore size is: 67.1. Does this mean that I'll need to buy hubcentric rings?

[r4mi5awi]

No, you don't need hub rings. My guess is it's just how the winter tires "feel" on the road at high speeds.

[Jackal]

Vibrations at 80km+ is not normal. Maybe an alignment issue. If not get the rims/tires balanced at an actual tire shop where they do this day in day out.

[midnightfxgt]

Vibrations at 80km+ is not normal. Maybe an alignment issue. If not get the rims/tires balanced at an actual tire shop where they do this day in day out.

^^^ This. If it fixes the issue, have the dealership reimburse you for it, since they couldn't fix it.

[Booter22]

^^^ This. If it fixes the issue, have the dealership reimburse you for it, since they couldn't fix it.

one.. really doesnt wash the other.

it could be bad tires, or shifted belts ( have seen that already in a few new michelins this year) if you are not using mazda oem steel wheels. might also be the issue. and if the vehicle is a 2013 within its 1 year and 20,000 km. then the alignment adjustment if required shouldnt be at a cost and should be covered under the warranty unless there is any reason why it is out ( road damage. hit something. so on) if the vehicle is out of the 1 year 20,000km then it would be considered wear and tear and not the dealer or anyones fault for installing tires..

i would have them try another set of rims and tires if they stock the Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter then that could be the fastest easiest. if it isnt pulling and you didnt notice anything with the stock alloy and tires on then it just sounds like its something tire / rim related from the winters.

give them the chance to fix the mistake before you go somewhere else and need to pay. they could tell you that you are SOL if you do that first. cant fix what they still dont know is an issue.

[midnightfxgt]

Assuming they were bought at the dealership, they had a chance to fix it.

Sure, it could be a warped rim, or shifted belts, but technician error is more common of a cause. Go back to the dealer once more if you'd like, but if they can't fix it on the spot, its time for elsewhere.

Since its in your seat, and not the wheel, it's also likely the rear setup, and not the front.

[davmcn]

I didn't buy them at the dealer, I got the tires from Tire Rack and the rims for PMCTire. I didn't notice any problems today driving on a really smooth road. Maybe it's just the Quebec roads.. :S :chuckle

[midnightfxgt]

I didn't buy them at the dealer, I got the tires from Tire Rack and the rims for PMCTire. I didn't notice any problems today driving on a really smooth road. Maybe it's just the Quebec roads.. :S :chuckle

Ya, this is a risk when buying online. You don't have any support, and can spend more troubleshooting.

I would let it be for a couple days. If its a bent rim, shifted belts, or bad balance, you will notice it and it will be pretty consistent when it happens

Hopefully you were just on a rough road, and jumped the gun :)

[davmcn]

I just drove my sisters Mazda 3 with OEM rims and no vibrations and runs perfectly. Is it out of balanced or is it just bad rims? It's bothering me and will it have any long term damage on the car ?

[Fuman]

It sounds like your rims are not hub centric. If the are not centric it sounds like it is not centered.

[austinSedz]

check the wheel centerbore as mentioned. It might need hub rings, otherwise find a shop with a hunter roadforce balancer. Its more precise and the shop will be able to determine if its the wheel out of balance or possibly a bad tire.

[jay93]

I ran Goodyear ultragrips last year and got bad vibrations! Its the tires themselves are naturally like that. Then again most winters are like that. This year I have hankooks on and the noise is still there but considerably less. I'm rocking hub centric steelies

[kidcrash]

i just installed winters a couple days ago and experiencing vibrations as well and i got michellin nordic winters and steelies (16") for my 07 mazda gt from canadian tire, but got it installed by the mazda dealership here in peterborough..

so i should go back to the dealer?

[Zotaga]

1) Do you have a gap between the hub and the rim? If so, you probably need spacers.
2) Get the tires re-balanced.

If it's neither of those, your tires just suck.. :\


i just installed winters a couple days ago and experiencing vibrations as well and i got michellin nordic winters and steelies (16") for my 07 mazda gt from canadian tire, but got it installed by the mazda dealership here in peterborough..

so i should go back to the dealer?

[midnightfxgt]

1) Running a spacer is not what he needs. You are probably referring to a hubring. However, you dont want these with Steel Wheels.
2) Rebalance is not a bad idea.

Don't go back to the dealer... go back to Canadian Tire, and have them fix the issue.