Flat spots on tires after letting car sit
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 237
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C300, ML350
Flat spots on tires after letting car sit
Hello,
I noticed that my car shakes for the first miles if I drive it after letting it sit in my garage for weeks. I believe this is the result of flat spotting, correct?... Do any other c300 sport owners have similar issues? any ways to prevent this?
I noticed that my car shakes for the first miles if I drive it after letting it sit in my garage for weeks. I believe this is the result of flat spotting, correct?... Do any other c300 sport owners have similar issues? any ways to prevent this?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 59
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From: Chicago, IL
2009 MB C350 Sport
Anything you let sit for period of time will have that problem. I store a motorcycle in the garage and I move it few inches at a time once every week to avoid flat spots. Some people use jack stands or such. Unfortunately there is no way to fix it once it's done - you need new tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Our car sat for over 6 weeks whilst o/seas & there was no sign of a flat spot. They were Michelin Primacy HP. The weather was mild.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
If you want to get more involved, you can minimize this result. New vehicles are shipped with higher tire pressure (don't go past max cold shown on sidewall) because not only do they sit for unknown periods, they are tied down on haulers/rail cars under pressure which adds to the tire-flattening effect. Part of a new vehicle pre-delivery prep is pressure reduction to the proper setting.
You could pump up the tires to the sidewall max before you leave for weeks and then reset when you return. You would want a portable air compressor in your garage for this ongoing process. This would reduce the flat spot effect, but might not eliminate it.
You could pump up the tires to the sidewall max before you leave for weeks and then reset when you return. You would want a portable air compressor in your garage for this ongoing process. This would reduce the flat spot effect, but might not eliminate it.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
I think the OP was talking about temporary flatspotting which goes away after a few miles of driving once the tires warm up and return to their regular shape. I've experienced this on our C300, but it is even more pronounced on my 530i. The BMW's steering is so sensitive, even the slightest deformation clearly manifests itself through the steering wheel. I can detect the tires flatspotting even if the car only sat overnight.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Flat spots are inevitable with standing. SS's pressure advice is good.
Some tyres are far more inclined to do this than others due to carcass construction & steel belt behavior. In my experience Michelin tyres seldom do this due to soft carcass philosophy.
When initially driving on flat spotted tyres after standing do not drive fast until they have settled or you can induce peculiar wear.
Some tyres are far more inclined to do this than others due to carcass construction & steel belt behavior. In my experience Michelin tyres seldom do this due to soft carcass philosophy.
When initially driving on flat spotted tyres after standing do not drive fast until they have settled or you can induce peculiar wear.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 237
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C300, ML350
thanks for the replies... yeah I was talking about temporary flat spotting that goes away upon driving the vehicle for few miles. I will take SS's advice on adjusting the tire pressure when I let my car sit. thx
-- I was searching the internet and I came across this product called tire cradles (tirecradle.com) which prevent flat spots, it costs 350 bucks for set of four...
but I think for now I will just stick with overinflating tires when I let my car sit for any extended period of time.
-- I was searching the internet and I came across this product called tire cradles (tirecradle.com) which prevent flat spots, it costs 350 bucks for set of four...
but I think for now I will just stick with overinflating tires when I let my car sit for any extended period of time.
Last edited by c3002008; Jan 8, 2014 at 11:29 PM.
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