Do i need to do the tracking on my car? - New Alloys!

lmfy2k

lmfy2k

lmfy2k

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Joined
12 Feb 2004
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Manchester
Hi guys

ive just replaced my standard steel wheels for some alloys

Previous Tyres (steel rim): 195/60/15

New Tyres (Alloy rim): 195/55/15

ive had all 4 tyres balanced and seem to be fine with no shaking or pulling to either side (after a motorway run)

so my question is, do i need to get my car re-tracked?

thanks
 
lmfy2k said:
ive had all 4 tyres balanced and seem to be fine with no shaking or pulling to either side (after a motorway run)

so my question is, do i need to get my car re-tracked?

thanks
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Doesn't sound like it. If you can let go of the steering wheel and the car stays in a straight line, your tracking won't need adjusting.
 
It doesnt need to be retracked but why have you reduced the size of the sidewall like that? You'll compromise the rolling radius?
 
[TW]Fox;11304826 said:
It doesnt need to be retracked but why have you reduced the size of the sidewall like that? You'll compromise the rolling radius?
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:eek:

i bought them 2nd hand mate and they came with the tyres already on

in what way would it effect the car?

n00b question! sorry :)
 
[TW]Fox;11304826 said:
It doesnt need to be retracked but why have you reduced the size of the sidewall like that? You'll compromise the rolling radius?
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Yeah, 195/60/15 look like balloons though. Compare your speedo with your GPS, will probably be ok.
 
thanks guys

so to compensate i would need to fit 205/55/15, that would make it -1.3%, or as Fox says 195/55/16.

ahh well, i think il just take off the tyres from the steel rims and wack them on to the alloys

shame though as they look pretty cool at that height, dont really want to go for 16s, these alloys were a steal at the price i paid so bought them.

if i can deal with the 3.2% speedo error, would these tyres actually decrease my MPG?
 
[TW]Fox;11304860 said:
So 16's would be a better choice.
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Probably, would be more expensive though. Bigger alloy needed obviously, and a lower profile tyre so it doesn't catch the arches. (possible, dunno what car it is)

16" tyres are more expensive too, sometimes more than 17" - bit of an odd and inbetween size.
 
[TW]Fox;11304860 said:
So 16's would be a better choice.
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agreed - 16s would have looked a lot better and enable you to come down to a 50 or even a 45 profile although you would lose a bit of comfort going to a 45 and speedo would be further out i imagine.
 
Tracking is the toe in and toe out of the wheels as set by the suspension geometry. It's measured by the difference in distance between the front and rear of the rim against a line running parallel to the side of the car. Therefore providing the wheels are round they make no difference to toe in and toe out in practical terms.
 
I got my new alloys on Wednesday but I think I lost a balancing weight or something as the vibration through the wheel is pretty bad at 60-70. It will also pull slightly to the left.

So it's going back on Monday for a full rebalance. I'm hoping the tyres are ok, I suppose I've only done 300 miles since then.
 
Tom|Nbk said:
Which will make it more accurate since most cars under read by 5% :)
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Most cars actually over read by between 5-10%. Under-reading would get car manufacturers in a spot of bother if u went thru a 40 mph speed camera and your speedo was showing 38 mph!
 
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