A few of my friends have pointed out to me they feel like a bobble head when riding in the back seat. I have to say I agree. I took my car to the dealer for the first oil change they assured me everything check out ok. Has anyone else felt it or heard that from their passangers?
When I first got my car I felt like that in the driver's seat. It was actually very apparent to me. Never heard any complains though. I would say after about a week I didn't feel like a bobble head anymore. Not sure if I just got used to it or if it was just how I had my seat positioned or something.
If it's happening while cruising and not shifting, then the ride quality is based on various factors:
smoothness of road
tire pressure, tire sidewall height (profile)
suspension
seats
and ultimately, how much junk is in your trunk (the one you sit on, not your actual trunk)
Did you switch your tires to all seasons or snow tires for WI?
Other factors could be engine vibration which are tied to the mounts but are more likely when switching out the squishy stock mounts for firmer ones.
I'd suggest riding around in another car (same make/model/year) to make sure there isn't something potentially wrong with the way your struts are providing damping.
Definitely check your tire pressure. I got a new car once that had 55 psi in them! When I dropped the pressure down to the recommended psi the car rode so much smoother.
wow thanks everyone! I just thought I might have been paranoid about it but it never hurts to ask! Thanks again! When I brought it in for the oil change they made me do the tire rotation thing would they automatically adjust them then or no?
On my ride hone I thought the tires were very stiff. I parked the car overnight and in the morning read 55psi! I was like, WTF! People are actually paid to make sure things are correct. I'm lucky I didnt blow out a tire.
I've heard that dealers pump the tires really high like that on purpose. When cars sit on the lot for as long as they do at a dealer, they don't want the tires to run flat/low and get all screwed up.
They're supposed to bring them to the normal pressure when they do the dealer prep, so your dealer may have just forgot dunston.
They come from the factory set to 55+ PSI for just that reason. It keeps tires from getting flat spotted during transport and while sitting on the lot. I can say for sure that when I was at Acura I forgot to do a couple tire drains while doing a prep, it happens to the best of us. I always check tire pressure when receiving a car purchase whether new or used. I am sure the dealership didn't do it on purpose, but people are people and sometimes shit happens :blush 1:
i notice that whenever i have passengers they will rock almost pre-emptively when i shift. even the smoothest shifts they will move forward like im shifting hard and fast. pseudo-Pavlovian response?
I noticed this exact same feeling on concrete roads in the driver's seat! On my morning drive to work, the road switches from asphalt to concrete and it's definitely worse on concrete. No passengers, nothing in the trunk, it's exactly the same with my winter or summer tires. I think it's a suspension problem that wobbles the entire car front to back.
I've not noticed any problems in day to day driving. Back seat passengers haven't complained either. We don't have endless streches of concrete road around here like some areas do.
One thing to consider as well is the short wheelbase and stiffer suspension will make the ride a little unsettled on certian road conditions. The worst I've ever experienced was a euro-spec Mini. The car was an absolute blast on the back roads, but running down the Motorway did create some bobble-head action.
so dont have a hissy but here is a tire question related to what i orginally asked... As I am looking for new rims and tires would a larger size help this problem or make it worse!!
If you do go with a 55 or 60 series tire, that makes your sidewalls taller. However, that number is based on a ratio of sidewall height and width. In order to keep the actual circumfrence of the tire to be as close to stock as possible, have the least impact on your speedometer accuracy, and fit the rim properly, the first number will be different. I believe if you go to a 55 series tire you'll probably need a 195/55/17 tire. I don't have a tire size calculator handy to get the exact sizing...
Another thing to conceder is why you want new wheels and whats the main goals for your car.? Lighter weight? Better looks? Better performance? 16's 17's and 18's all have pluses and minuses
thanks everyone, all very helpful info! And Im always looking to make the car better even if it is for vanity over practicality!Just so this doest get away from the original topic (and someone has a melt down) What would be the best way to go? I think I have become obsessed with this but it sorta bothers me.
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