The official "my Yaris handles bad on the highway/with crosswinds" thread

[churp]

I run 44psi and I agree with blacksan, traction is not as good (stopped fast today and one tire slid on gravel because I had a big load in back) but think the sidewall flex is much less. My springs cost $117 and an afternoon in the garage....firmer than some people would want, but even with the 1.5" drop I think the stock springs would bottom quicker (I bought the LB so I could carry things).....tires are behind cruise control and scangage on my list.

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by churp

I run 44psi and I agree with blacksan, traction is not as good (stopped fast today and one tire slid on gravel because I had a big load in back) but think the sidewall flex is much less. My springs cost $117 and an afternoon in the garage....firmer than some people would want, but even with the 1.5" drop I think the stock springs would bottom quicker (I bought the LB so I could carry things).....tires are behind cruise control and scangage on my list.

Do you have the TRD springs?

[uncleyaris]

I thought all North America YAris came with Potenza(bridgestone)

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by uncleyaris

I thought all North America YAris came with Potenza(bridgestone)

Nope, I have the Goodyear skins on mine! The funny part is that they are made in Japan?

[blacksan]

arcath, the high PSI you where reading was most likely from warm tires. You need to check them cold to get proper PSI reading.

You have every right, and obligation to keep you family safe. I was not trying to slam you in the least. I drive for a living and am very sensitive to all matters concerning vehicle performance. My observation/reply was based on professional experience going back too 1983. I am not the keeper of all knowledge, but just trying to pass on some observations.

[HTM Yaris]

If you are concerned with your family's safety , take driving lessons...... The yaris is fine
The next time it rains , and you have to apply the brakes in a hurry , you won't like whats gonna happen . GO BACK TO STOCK PRESSURE , for your family ........

[PetersRedYaris]

Forget about all the tire pressure BS... Even with stock tires, tire pressures, and suspension, it should track straight and consistent at 80 MPH. If your car is as squirlly on the interstate as you say than there is somthing wrong with it. Take it to the dealer and make them fix it. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's their problem, not yours.

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by PetersRedYaris

Forget about all the tire pressure BS...

You don't think that tire pressure matters?

[PetersRedYaris]

Originally Posted by blacksan

You don't think that tire pressure matters?

What I'm saying is that the recommended 32 PSI is fine. I purchased my Yaris in Colorado, drove it 350 miles home on interstate and highway, and it handled absolutley fine; no mods of course, it was brand new. His car should not be "all over the place".

Regarding your high tire pressures- Check the pressures first thing in the morning. Tires sitting in the sun can get very hot and raise pressures significantly.

[ceres]

My car also blows all over the place if the wind is hitting it right. The worst is coming around a bend and having it go right under the front corner. You do get used to it, but if a strong enough gust comes along out of no where (like if you were protected by trees just beforehand), you need to react fast but also be careful to not overreact on the adjustment.

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by ceres

My car also blows all over the place if the wind is hitting it right. The worst is coming around a bend and having it go right under the front corner. You do get used to it, but if a strong enough gust comes along out of no where (like if you were protected by trees just beforehand), you need to react fast but also be careful to not overreact on the adjustment.

Believe, or not you even end up wrestling a tractor trailer in heavy wind gusts. Even more so if you are pulling a self contained trailer vs flat bed trailer.

[grampi]

Good article, but it doesn't specify exactly what is considered overinflated. If you ask around, I think you'll find most tire experts will say a tire isn't overinflated unless the max pressure listed on the tire's sidewall is exceeded. As long as you stay under that, you're fine. BTW, for what it's worth, driving on underinflated tires posses a much higher risk of a blowout than does driving on overinflated tires. Remember the Ford/Firestone debacle a few years back? Almost all of those accidents were attributed to underinflated tires.

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by grampi

Good article, but it doesn't specify exactly what is considered overinflated. If you ask around, I think you'll find most tire experts will say a tire isn't overinflated unless the max pressure listed on the tire's sidewall is exceeded. As long as you stay under that, you're fine. BTW, for what it's worth, driving on underinflated tires posses a much higher risk of a blowout than does driving on overinflated tires. Remember the Ford/Firestone debacle a few years back? Almost all of those accidents were attributed to underinflated tires.

Unless the tire is specifically made for the car it is mounted on then the max printed sidewall inflation holds no relevance what so ever. Open your vehicle manual, or study the info plate that gives you a recommended inflation based on GVW for that particular vehicle. "Tire Experts" did not design the vehicle. The engineers that are employed by the manufacture do, and know the correct operating perimeters for said vehicle.

[grampi]

Originally Posted by blacksan

Unless the tire is specifically made for the car it is mounted on then the max printed sidewall inflation holds no relevance what so ever. Open your vehicle manual, or study the info plate that gives you a recommended inflation based on GVW for that particular vehicle. "Tire Experts" did not design the vehicle. The engineers that are employed by the manufacture do, and know the correct operating perimeters for said vehicle.

Both tire and auto experts are above my knowledge level. I'm just repeating what I've been told and obviously somebody's wrong. The tire guys say one thing while the car guys say another. I can verify one thing from my own personal experience though. My tires definitely last longer running them on recommended pressure +5 PSI. That's tire guys 1, car guys zip.

[blacksan]

Originally Posted by grampi

Both tire and auto experts are above my knowledge level. I'm just repeating what I've been told and obviously somebody's wrong. The tire guys say one thing while the car guys say another. I can verify one thing from my own personal experience though. My tires definitely last longer running them on recommended pressure +5 PSI. That's tire guys 1, car guys zip.

Are you my X wife impersonating a Yaris pilot with the screen name grampi???

[grampi]

Originally Posted by blacksan

Are you my X wife impersonating a Yaris pilot with the screen name grampi???

I didn't know you still cared.

[sdmf]

well i do alot of highway driving on the weekends, usually around 80mph, i dont really feel the crosswind anymore, im running on trd springs, trd struts, trd rear antisway bar, 205/50/15 tires, i try to whip it around on turns. me likey alot

[Jerkratt]

i agree with that i have almost 3k miles and it seems to take corners and highway drafts a little better now acually.. im only 154lb so it cant be me helping it. the car does have a noticable body roll and i do notice getting slitghtly pushed on the highway during strong winds nothing major but im also going like 70-85mph. tire pressure a must but i am going to spring and sway it when the extra money comes in so i can get rid of that nasty body roll over tight corners. i have a new born myself and i feel comfortable having him in the car with me.