+1 
Tires look flat...but not really.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 152
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From: New York & Louisiana
2010 C300 Sport
Tires look flat...but not really.
Hey guys,
Not being used to this, it kind of freaked me out.
09 C300 Sports with 18" AMG wheels and low profile tires, 225/40 18 fronts and 255/35/18 rears.
I parked the car with the front wheels turned pretty much all the way to the right. A friend told me I had a right front flat. I looked at it, and looked like it had maybe 5 pounds in it. But when I actually checked it, it had 32 psi which what I normally use. I Straightened out the steering wheel to straight, and everything looks normal. What exactly happened there? And more importantly, should I "always" park with the tires aligned absolutely straight?
Not being used to this, it kind of freaked me out.
09 C300 Sports with 18" AMG wheels and low profile tires, 225/40 18 fronts and 255/35/18 rears.
I parked the car with the front wheels turned pretty much all the way to the right. A friend told me I had a right front flat. I looked at it, and looked like it had maybe 5 pounds in it. But when I actually checked it, it had 32 psi which what I normally use. I Straightened out the steering wheel to straight, and everything looks normal. What exactly happened there? And more importantly, should I "always" park with the tires aligned absolutely straight?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Hey guys,
Not being used to this, it kind of freaked me out.
09 C300 Sports with 18" AMG wheels and low profile tires, 225/40 18 fronts and 255/35/18 rears.
I parked the car with the front wheels turned pretty much all the way to the right. A friend told me I had a right front flat. I looked at it, and looked like it had maybe 5 pounds in it. But when I actually checked it, it had 32 psi which what I normally use. I Straightened out the steering wheel to straight, and everything looks normal. What exactly happened there? And more importantly, should I "always" park with the tires aligned absolutely straight?
Not being used to this, it kind of freaked me out.
09 C300 Sports with 18" AMG wheels and low profile tires, 225/40 18 fronts and 255/35/18 rears.
I parked the car with the front wheels turned pretty much all the way to the right. A friend told me I had a right front flat. I looked at it, and looked like it had maybe 5 pounds in it. But when I actually checked it, it had 32 psi which what I normally use. I Straightened out the steering wheel to straight, and everything looks normal. What exactly happened there? And more importantly, should I "always" park with the tires aligned absolutely straight?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 374
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2008 c350 sport
i felt the same way in the beginning too. but i gotta used to it and not care for it. plus im not sure but i have the tpms on the wheel so if it doesnt have enough air.. it goes off and give me a message to put air. nothing to worry about .
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 152
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From: New York & Louisiana
2010 C300 Sport
Thank you guys for all the answers. It did put my mind at ease. These are my first low profile tires, and they just looked so un-natural with the wheels turnes all the way. Something I hope I get used to. Trying to adjust from BMW to the Benz, is all 
@steven1888, my tpms did not warn me or gave me any messages. Add that to all the answers, and yes, I am breathing normally now
@steven1888, my tpms did not warn me or gave me any messages. Add that to all the answers, and yes, I am breathing normally now
Last edited by jetflyboy; Apr 7, 2012 at 06:04 PM.
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Technically it's the Ackerman effect.
Ideally this would not happen, but it's hard to keep the correct toe-in needed as the steering wheel is turned, which would be increasing total toe-out, with max toe-out at full lock. Sounds like the C300 has excessive toe-out at full lock, which tends to pull the tires outward of the rims as they rotate. It's more important to design for proper toe-out at practical turn angles. The low profile tires amplify the effect. Google Ackerman for more detail.
.
Ideally this would not happen, but it's hard to keep the correct toe-in needed as the steering wheel is turned, which would be increasing total toe-out, with max toe-out at full lock. Sounds like the C300 has excessive toe-out at full lock, which tends to pull the tires outward of the rims as they rotate. It's more important to design for proper toe-out at practical turn angles. The low profile tires amplify the effect. Google Ackerman for more detail.
.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 152
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From: New York & Louisiana
2010 C300 Sport
Technically it's the Ackerman effect.
Ideally this would not happen, but it's hard to keep the correct toe-in needed as the steering wheel is turned, which would be increasing total toe-out, with max toe-out at full lock. Sounds like the C300 has excessive toe-out at full lock, which tends to pull the tires outward of the rims as they rotate. It's more important to design for proper toe-out at practical turn angles. The low profile tires amplify the effect. Google Ackerman for more detail.
.
Ideally this would not happen, but it's hard to keep the correct toe-in needed as the steering wheel is turned, which would be increasing total toe-out, with max toe-out at full lock. Sounds like the C300 has excessive toe-out at full lock, which tends to pull the tires outward of the rims as they rotate. It's more important to design for proper toe-out at practical turn angles. The low profile tires amplify the effect. Google Ackerman for more detail.
.
I really appreciate your input. I found this:
http://www.auto-ware.com/setup/ack_rac.htm
While I don't drive my C300 on the race track at 130 mph, what you said and the above link gave me a better understanding of how tires act, or react to turning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
I really appreciate your input. I found this:
http://www.auto-ware.com/setup/ack_rac.htm
While I don't drive my C300 on the race track at 130 mph, what you said and the above link gave me a better understanding of how tires act, or react to turning.
http://www.auto-ware.com/setup/ack_rac.htm
While I don't drive my C300 on the race track at 130 mph, what you said and the above link gave me a better understanding of how tires act, or react to turning.
The early Porsche 911 had non-ackerman parallel steering.
BTW, speaking of Porsche:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...194330668.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 152
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From: New York & Louisiana
2010 C300 Sport
While in a turn, the inner wheel must turn sharper to avoid scrubbing. The Ackerman design allows this. This is not adjustable and this is another reason why the wheels must be straight ahead to adjust toe-in.
The early Porsche 911 had non-ackerman parallel steering.
BTW, speaking of Porsche:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...194330668.html
The early Porsche 911 had non-ackerman parallel steering.
BTW, speaking of Porsche:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...194330668.html
A thousand years from now, that "machine" would still be wanted by anybody who's got a beating heart
RIP Mr. Alexander, and thank you
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Thank you guys for all the answers. It did put my mind at ease. These are my first low profile tires, and they just looked so un-natural with the wheels turnes all the way. Something I hope I get used to. Trying to adjust from BMW to the Benz, is all
@steven1888, my tpms did not warn me or gave me any messages. Add that to all the answers, and yes, I am breathing normally now
@steven1888, my tpms did not warn me or gave me any messages. Add that to all the answers, and yes, I am breathing normally now
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: New York & Louisiana
2010 C300 Sport
