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Old 01-03-2006, 03:00 PM   #1
kilonad
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Default Challenging FXT tire problem

My sister has an '04 Forester XT. After the stock tires wore out, she replaced them with a set of Bridgestone Potenza G009s. She was told by the service manager at our local Subaru dealer that those would be the best choice for her car (and then bought them at Costco). Recently she's been having problems with her car: "sliding, braking, overall handling" in her words. She took it to the same dealership, and the same service manager told her that you aren't supposed to buy directional tires for a turbo. (I realize the stupidity of his statement)

She says that the handling has seriously decreased since she put the tires on her car. Costco initially put them on backwards, but then corrected the problem soon after they were installed (they've been on the car for quite a while now). The tires are inflated correctly. Are the tires at fault, or is it an alignment/balancing/suspension problem?
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Old 01-03-2006, 03:42 PM   #2
Uncle Scotty
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....uuummmmmmm.....w 0 w......

spitcan the junk ribber and put something like PZero nero m&s or maybe the Avon's or Proxes4's on it.

....and go to another dealer if at all possible
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Old 01-03-2006, 03:55 PM   #3
kilonad
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The G009's are ranked #3 out of 22 (high performance all season) on tire rack, and I've only seen positive experiences here too. My sister bought them because she couldn't afford $100+/tire, and these were $80 each.

This is the same dealer that told me it's impossible to do a tight bleed on my WRX's brake system, that if I ordered speed bleeders and put them on it'd void my warranty (perhaps the only true thing they've ever said), that almost an inch of play in the brake pedal is normal, that 14-15mpg on my mom's Outback LL Bean is normal for city driving when you drive like a grandma, etc.
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Old 01-03-2006, 04:13 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kilonad
The G009's are ranked #3 out of 22......
...and that is meaningless.
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Old 01-03-2006, 04:43 PM   #5
WWRRXX04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kilonad
Recently she's been having problems with her car: "sliding, braking, overall handling" in her words.
Under what kind of conditions? Snow, rain, sleet, crowded crosswalks? A fresh alignment may help things too if it hasn't been done on the car recently.
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Old 01-03-2006, 04:56 PM   #6
Corkfish
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You might check to see if they're properly inflated. My guess is they aren't.
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Old 01-03-2006, 05:07 PM   #7
h62962
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I've found the Tire Rack reviews to be accurate and a great help. There's nothing like real world feedback to judge a product. It is possibile though, that that particular tire doesn't do well on the Forester; it is after all more of a truck than a car. Check the reviews for this tire and see what type of vehicles prompted the most positive responses. I'd call (or email) Tire Rack and explain to them what's happening with the perceived handling degradation (I agree with the need for more context on the handling problems such as weather conditions and road type) and see what they have to say. Also, I'd be a little concerned about where you bought the tires.
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Old 01-03-2006, 05:22 PM   #8
kilonad
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They're properly inflated and aligned. No idea what she means by the handling not being as good as it used to be, but it's been dry and in the 40s here the past week.
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Old 01-03-2006, 05:23 PM   #9
randolph-rs
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Quote:
It is possibile though, that that particular tire doesn't do well on the Forester; it is after all more of a truck than a car.
Incorrect assumption. Where have you been?
The Forester is nothing more than a slightly taller and slightly longer if that Impreza Wagon. I thought everyone here new the Forester and Impreza share the same platform. Forester XT owner speaking.
Anyway, I think the tires are not what you think they are. They may be a Tirerack best seller and have great reviews but you need to look at some important facts. It has a H speed rating and has a treadwear warranty of 50K miles. This should tell anyone the tire is not a high performer. Harder tread compound to resist wear and limit grip. Basically your sisters issues probably lie with the tires and nothing more. Just my observation.
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Old 01-03-2006, 07:48 PM   #10
SuperRuWRX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h62962
it is after all more of a truck than a car.
I agree with most of what you posted. I've found that the same tires can sometimes feel quit different with small changes like going from a 55 to a 50 series.

But that part has me ROTFL. You're joking right! I'd love to give you a ride in my truck.



SuperRu

Last edited by SuperRuWRX; 01-03-2006 at 08:58 PM. Reason: added picture!
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Old 01-03-2006, 09:21 PM   #11
Uncle_Git
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Just out of interest - what do you guys recommend for the FXT for Oregon style weather. I gotta get the wifey some new rubber as she's scrubbed her OEM ones off already. Somewhere in and around $100 a tire.

<Grumpy old man>
Girl is a damn hooligan and won't quit beating up on boxsters...
*mutter*
Still at least she always wins
</Grumpy old man>
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Old 01-04-2006, 05:12 PM   #12
04furesterXT
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What do you consider to be "properly inflated"? I have a set of those on the stock rims for long drives and i've had my car at triple digit plus speeds through sweepers (with coilovers) and found the G009s to be surprisingly good! For 420 durometer rating tires they are surprisingly sticky and are great in the rain. This is at about 36PSI though they're even better at closer to 40 but get a little harsh.

I'm not comparing these to other "High Performance" all seasons or summers but for 75$ i'm quite pleased. It could be that after the first half of the tread life, performance will suffer as mine show almost no wear after 10K miles.

The Michelin Exalto look like a good tire. Don't know much about them though.
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Old 01-05-2006, 12:09 AM   #13
Back Road Runner
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What tire did she come from in the first place? I'm just trying to get an idea of what she's comparing the G009s to.

Tire Rack seems to have good reviews about them, so I'd assume them to be half way decent. Handling, feel, and grip will of course change. This is to be expected. I guess it depends what she thought she'd gain(or lose) from this new set. Maybe you should give the car a drive and see how you think it feels. Maybe have her explain it in more detail...or maybe show you hands-on.

Since when does directional tread matter? I run directional now and have noticed no change. I don't have a clue what it could modify. And why would a turbo matter? And you believed a car dealer?
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