High Speed Stability

[Captain Yaris]

I’ve noticed while driving at speeds in excess of 70 mph my car seems to float/wander. The suspension is stock and I know from previous threads that my tires aren’t the best tread pattern. I’m living with my tire purchase until I can afford/have to replace them. Would using stiffer springs and lowering the car with a rear swaybar help with my issues? I know it’s a pretty light car to begin with and I find it get’s more enjoyable to cruise fast with more weight, ie. A full tank of gas. Thanks guys!

[kimona]

Wait for the next BIG sale at discounttiredirect.com and snatch a good set of tyres at a give-away price. Then, sell your old tyres on craigslist; you'll be surprised how much you'll get.

This was my last purchase:

4 Kumho Ecsta 4x ll (205/50/16) @ $83.36 each = $333.44
-$75.00 (dtd Memorial Day Rebate)
-$60.00 (Kumho Tire Rebate)
-$60.00 (dt c/c Rebate)
Total = $138.44

BTW: With these Kumhos, no rear anti-sway bar, and stock suspension, I can cruise at high speed confidently with no highway wander and no sense that the car is floating.

[LTHatch]

205/50/15 and Eibachs springs, high speed is still unstable on my 13. High speed tight turns, braking and emergency maneuvers improved a noticeable amount but the 70+mph highway driving feels unstable. It has had that unstable feeling since stock, and the dang throttle lag that drove me nuts until i adapted to it.

[DiCaprio]

I never felt like changing the suspension because of instability and i drove 120mph on the Autobahn. However i changed my wheels and tires from 185/65/r15 to 205/45/r16. Which defenitely improved stability. I have a 2006 Yaris thought.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by LTHatch

205/50/15 and Eibachs springs, high speed is still unstable on my 13. High speed tight turns, braking and emergency maneuvers improved a noticeable amount but the 70+mph highway driving feels unstable. It has had that unstable feeling since stock, and the dang throttle lag that drove me nuts until i adapted to it.

Originally Posted by DiCaprio

I never felt like changing the suspension because of instability and i drove 120mph on the Autobahn. However i changed my wheels and tires from 185/65/r15 to 205/45/r16. Which defenitely improved stability. I have a 2006 Yaris thought.

What tyres are you running on your cars?

[LTHatch]

Kumho Ecsta PA31

[kimona]

Originally Posted by LTHatch

Kumho Ecsta PA31

The PA31 tread pattern should improve straight line tracking and significantly reduce highway wander.

[LTHatch]

Do you think they changed the alignment specs for the 14-up Yaris?

[kimona]

I wouldn't think so. But, I'm certainly not versed in this area.

My 2007 was scary to drive over 70MPH for any length of time. I changed from the OEM steel wheels and 185/60/15's to 16x7 alloys and 205/50/16's. That greatly improved overall handling, but didn't eliminate highway wander or that sense that the car was going to float away on me. I installed a TRD rear anti-sway bar and that changed the entire handling dynamic; great cornering and somewhat improved high speed stability. But, the car was still a heart in your mouth experience at speeds over 70MPH.

Then, I began experimenting with various 205/50/16 tyres and discovered that tread patterns can make a huge difference on the highway. With the "proper" rubber, I could confidently drive my 2007 at 85MPH all day long (with no anti-sway bar BTW). I have the same experience now with my 2014.

[IllusionX]

I always had 195/55R15 Yokohama S.Drive on my 07, and never felt unstable excess of 70mph.

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[kimona]

Yokohama S.Drive works REALLY well on the Yaris!

[Kalispel]

Anyone tried Yokohama YK740 GTX tires? Those are the ones that I'm partial towards for my first tire replacement next year, to replace the factory SE Bridgestone tires.

[Captain Yaris]

I’m running Sumitomo A/S - 205/50r16. I am driving between Naples and Miami on the 75 (Alligator Alley). It is like the Autobahn out here. People are doing 100MPH most of the time.

[Captain Yaris]

I’ll look into those Yokohama’s, they look pretty good.

[LTHatch]

Is there a all season variant of the S.drives? A tire that can handle some light snow.

[DiCaprio]

Originally Posted by kimona

What tyres are you running on your cars?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo's. Their speed rating is "W" which means they are capabe of speeds up to 168mph. I didn't buy them specificly for that matter, but i guess it does make a difference.

[DiCaprio]

Also you guys might wanna check your tire pressure. Sometimes manufaturers recommend different pressures for high speed driving.
My 2006 Yaris doesn't, but i know that for my parents 2016 Auris they recommend two different pressures, depending on how fast you drive.

Recommendation for the Auris:
"For speeds of 99mph or less, the front and rear tyres should be inflated to 33 psi. For speeds above 99mph, the front and rear tyres should be inflated to 38 psi."

[IllusionX]

Originally Posted by LTHatch

Is there a all season variant of the S.drives? A tire that can handle some light snow.

Yes. Check out the Yokohama AVID Envigor. Not sure if all sizes are available, but I remember seeing in 195/55R15.
Although, i wouldn't trust them in any snow. They are marked as high performance all seasons.

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