'Nervous' at highway speed?

[saskdiesel]

Read this. Wind is a challenge, but normal for the Smart Car.
Long-Term Road Tests - 2008 Smart ForTwo: Blown Away

[ex300SRT8]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I believe that there's a 'relaxation curve' (like a learning curve) to driving a smart. It's a unique experience, but once we get re-oriented to driving, the smart is a stellar performer.

I drive 50 miles a day at high speeds on the California freeways, with NO issues due to stability, stress, or safety.

With you 100% on this. One of the most surprising elements to this car is how comfortable I feel on the freeway. I switched from driving an absolute beast at 500 + h.p. & 4500 pounds. I made the transition in a day. I also disagree with the word "twitchy" used in this thread. Does one need to be a bit more attentive, yes - but twitchy absolutely no-way. This car is solid at all speeds that I've driven.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by whalepirot

Thanks, but I have a HP Corvette for those purposes. The car needs some adjusting, minor in nature not a major redo. he suspension is a nice blend of comffortable and handling; nice to ride in and sporty enough ffor a playful drive. Wider tries will make the groove-following problem much worse. After 40+ years of driving and doing minor and major work on my cars, plus flying all sizes of aircraft, I understand vehicle dynamics in the air and on the ground, plus I studied aeronautical engineering. I am not overcontrolling or knitting a sweater while driving. I drive and pay full attention, as proper driving demands. My wife is also a great driver and has commented on the same problem.

This car, as it stands, is twitchy behind semis, some pickup trucks, in crosswinds, on grooved roads and even in mild winds when driven above 65mph. If your is not, cool; but this one IS.

THE TIRE PRESSURE IS SET PROPERLY.

It must need alignment tweeks, ala Randy *thanks so much for being way advanced WRT dealers) in addition to the aero characteristics of a small box.

I lean on the conservative side insofar as trying to redesign an already well designed automobile like the Smart. I did, however, see distinct advantage to putting a set of rear wheels on the front. The first advantage was the ability to extend the tire economy by faithfully rotating every 6K miles, which you already know about due to your stated experience. That advantage is a no brainer and will easily cancel out any gas mileage negative obtained by having a slightly wider tread in the front.
The other advantage, which I was not even looking for but noticed immediately after putting the 175's on the front, was it's change for the better in handling and tracking....particularly on interstates at speeds over 65mph. My usage is mostly city cycle but I do get out onto the interstate from time to time and the improved handling was noticeable.
I decided to keep the 15" wheel size and just get a rear set for the front. I keep a garage spare (Pure 175 wheel and tire) for that potential need for a spare.
Around here, I didn't like the idea of going with 16 or 17" wheels as others have elected to do because of the cost of converting (I bought the car for economizing) and spending 1.5-2K$$$ on new wheels and tires is not my idea of economizing. There is also the higher likelihood of wheel damage if a large enough pothole is hit, which is a definite possibility around here.
Be that as it may, the small conversion to 175's on the front did have a positive impact on the smarts handling characteristics on the highway over 65 mph and I have the added plus of being able to rotate the tires for longer tire life.
I hope this explanation exposes the conservative viewpoint I represent insofar as tires, wheels and interstate speeds over 65 are concerned and how better handling can be achieved without breaking the bank with all new wheels and tires all around.

[artificial]

Thanks, Johnny.

[Da and Linda]

I know my little Bee handles every bit as great as any other rear wheel drive we have ever owned in the past. I am a lead foot and 75 and 80 are just as stable as 60 for me.

[dstackle]

[quote=jonnysan;83328]I lean on the conservative side insofar as trying to redesign an already well designed automobile like the Smart. I did, however, see distinct advantage to putting a set of rear wheels on the front. The first advantage was the ability to extend the tire economy by faithfully rotating every 6K miles, which you already know about due to your stated experience. That advantage is a no brainer and will easily cancel out any gas mileage negative obtained by having a slightly wider tread in the front.


When you put the rear size on the front, did you need new wheels as well as tires, or will the front wheels support the larger tire? On grooved roads I notice the tracking issue, if a 175 tire will help that it's be money well spent, just dont' really want to pop for new weels and all.

[jonnysan]

[quote=dstackle;83737]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

I lean on the conservative side insofar as trying to redesign an already well designed automobile like the Smart. I did, however, see distinct advantage to putting a set of rear wheels on the front. The first advantage was the ability to extend the tire economy by faithfully rotating every 6K miles, which you already know about due to your stated experience. That advantage is a no brainer and will easily cancel out any gas mileage negative obtained by having a slightly wider tread in the front.


When you put the rear size on the front, did you need new wheels as well as tires, or will the front wheels support the larger tire? On grooved roads I notice the tracking issue, if a 175 tire will help that it's be money well spent, just dont' really want to pop for new weels and all.

So I did the next best thing. I acquired a set of stock rear wheels from another smart owner who had gone with 4 new Rial wheels from Tire Rack. I would NOT install 175's on the skinnier, 4.5 inch front wheels as I believe they may be too narrow for a tire that's 1 inch wider but I don't know if would be an issue for a fact. I think the tire bead would be at too great of an angle to the wheel bead to seal properly when inflated.
I do know that the 175's go with the 5.5's on the rear so I just got a set of them.