Tyre size advice sought to solve sliding/poor handling
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 11:31 am
I've only had my Polo for a few months and am experiencing wheel spins and sliding even at low speeds - and it just doesnt seem right to me - so wanted to seek advice from other on tyre sizes before I go out and buy a new set.
THE PROBLEM: The problem is most apparant when I'm accelerating out of a roundabout (even at low speeds of around 10 mph) - this causes both wheel spin and sideways sliding simultaneously and it scares me a lot - and thats when its dry in the summer. In the wet, I might just as well be driving on an ice rink.
MY TYRES: The tyres are Nankang EX-601 175/60/R14 69H (which I understand are at the higher end of the cheaper brands). They are summer tyres and are slightly wider than the factory stock/recommened size of 165/70/R14. I understand the Bluemotion tyres are narrower than other Polos to take advantage of the better fuel economy from lower rolling resistance. The tyres dont look that old and have plenty of tread and are probably only a 1/4 way through their life. Tyre pressure are fine (Ive experimented with under and over inflating by a few PSI - but the problem is still evident).
I would like to upgrade the tyres to a premium brand (though not through choice but because I think with handling this poor - its going to need it!). I would appreciate other's advice on whether to go for the factory/stock size of 165/70/R14 or whether to get even wider tyres than the current ones (the handbook says I can go up 185 width) but after some Googling, I get the impression that wider tyres actually worsen grip - especially in wet weather - hence Im very tempted to for the stock size.
My priority is with safety rather than fuel economy - especilly in the wet. I dont drive much at all in the winter but would probably go with all season tyres anyway just to be on the safe side (those summer downpours after hot periods turn the roads into an ice rink anyway).
I would really appreciate any advice or similar experiences from others.
THE PROBLEM: The problem is most apparant when I'm accelerating out of a roundabout (even at low speeds of around 10 mph) - this causes both wheel spin and sideways sliding simultaneously and it scares me a lot - and thats when its dry in the summer. In the wet, I might just as well be driving on an ice rink.
MY TYRES: The tyres are Nankang EX-601 175/60/R14 69H (which I understand are at the higher end of the cheaper brands). They are summer tyres and are slightly wider than the factory stock/recommened size of 165/70/R14. I understand the Bluemotion tyres are narrower than other Polos to take advantage of the better fuel economy from lower rolling resistance. The tyres dont look that old and have plenty of tread and are probably only a 1/4 way through their life. Tyre pressure are fine (Ive experimented with under and over inflating by a few PSI - but the problem is still evident).
I would like to upgrade the tyres to a premium brand (though not through choice but because I think with handling this poor - its going to need it!). I would appreciate other's advice on whether to go for the factory/stock size of 165/70/R14 or whether to get even wider tyres than the current ones (the handbook says I can go up 185 width) but after some Googling, I get the impression that wider tyres actually worsen grip - especially in wet weather - hence Im very tempted to for the stock size.
My priority is with safety rather than fuel economy - especilly in the wet. I dont drive much at all in the winter but would probably go with all season tyres anyway just to be on the safe side (those summer downpours after hot periods turn the roads into an ice rink anyway).
I would really appreciate any advice or similar experiences from others.