2006 Corolla Too Light - Tires Spin

#1
Hello,

I've really enjoyed my 2006 corolla and all 66k miles I've put on it. Minor problem is that the vehicle is very light and, when attempting to start up a steep hill, the tires break loose a little as I release the clutch.

On dry pavement - this usually isn't a big problem unless I really pop the clutch. On wet pavement (snow especially) I can really spin the tires.

I've got Michelin Harmony tires on it now.

Any thoughts?
 
#5
How about a Primacy then ?

The Michelin Primacy tire is rated higher all around than the Harmony and are only a few dollars more. And are quieter than something like a Continental. Which is my opinion always seem to provide the best traction - especially wet - but the Continentals do make more road noise.

PHM
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A more aggressive all season tire. The Michelin Harmony has a tread design that is almost like a summer/highway tire.
 
#6
You are working against basic physics, the car is front wheel drive, starting from a stop going uphill, the weight will be shifting to the rear, aggravated by inertia shifting MORE weight rearward as you start to move.

Two suggestions, be more light on the gas and ease the clutch out more slowly than when level, and , well, as poorly phrased in an earlier post, get stickier or more aggressive (mud/snow or all-weather) tires.

Hope this helps.
 
#7
What I did about tires

I bought this 2006 automatic new but hardly drove it - once a week going out to dinner. It always slide around, even on dry roads, and was about like driving on ice in even light rain. I grew up driving fast cars on dirt tracks and it didn't bother me all that much. In fact; it was kind of fun to drive the squirrelly thing. But the OEM tires really were crap. I could easily break the tires loose going straight on level pavement. But my girlfriend, who drove the car routinely, complained about it, especially about the non-existant wet traction. So I called the boys at Tire Rack and asked: "What is the highest rated wet-traction tire which will for on a 2006 Corolla?"

It turned out to be some kind of Continental and I had them ship me four of them. And those tires completely changed the -ness of the car. With the new Continentals it was like driving a racing go-cart - you couldn't Get the tires to break loose. Even in the driving rain it required high speeds and a real tight radius to get even slight drift out of the car. It drove like it was on rails. The change just amazed me.

What made me laugh if that a week after getting them she said: Why did you get these tires? They make so much noise! Why didn't you get a quieter tires? <g>

She asked for tires that stuck in the rain - I bought them. She never mentioned wanting quiet. <g>

I have about 40K on those tires and they are getting weak on the road now. They still look to have decent tread but I can feel the difference on wet roads - they just aren't as good as they were. Although they are still more than twice as good as the OEM tires were. <g>

I have a set of Michelin Harmony tires on my 1993 Corolla 5-speed and I do like them. They stick well wet or dry and seem quiet enough. I do almost always drive so as to stay over 30 mpg though so maybe I just haven't explored their limits. Yet. <g>

If you want to best, in my experience; buy the top rated Continentals. But when I get around to replacing the soo6's tires I think I'm going to buy the Michelin Primacy tires for it. Michelin doesn't make the Harmony any more.

Call the boys over at Tire Rack and tell them what your issues are - they Do Know tires there - and will find you something to fit your requirements.

PHM
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#8
A set of good tires can indeed make a dramatic improvement in the handling, ride and all around driving manners of a vehicle.

-- B.F.Goodrich T/A Certified Tire Specialist.
 
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