Ask an expert


IanM141

I have a 2007 350Z Track - manual - and recently replaced the rear tyres with Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional - 245/45R18 100W. The fronts are Bridgestone Potenza RE040 - 225/45R18 91W. Since the tyre change when making medium speed sweeping right hand curves (105 km/h for a posted 65 km/h) corner, the slip light flickers and the traction control kicks in. Never on a left hand curve. I talked to the Nissan agent who as expected were not much help. They said the front to rear combination was not correct and the car would not pass a warrant with the current tyres. The imbalance was causing the traction unit to activate. Sounds like rubbish to me. Went back to Beaurepairs who had no comment to offer and basically didn't know anything about either the WOF needs or any imbalance causing traction issues. The tyre change may have just been a coincidence as I also had the car serviced by the Nissan agent at that time and also changed my route home which meant I now go round a bend I have not done before (the one that activates the traction system). The front tyres seem in good condition with no tyre edge wear.
Would appreciate your help.
Ian M

ABayliss

Firstly, what are you doing going around a 65km/h bend at 105km/h on our public roads??
However, assuming you were doing this in a safer environment such as on a track, as ecpected, the ESP will activate and the light come on when the car starts to lose traction. The different tyres (particularly new directional Eagles on the rear and slightly worn Potenzas on the front) can mean that the level of grip between front and rear and the overall circumference of the tyres between front and rear is not equal, therefore the system is detecting a disparity, hence the ESP will kick in.
I'd say the tyre change is definitely the reason. Maybe you should have replaced all four?