Hello to all. Long time lurker and first time poster. Is it normal to feel slow acceleration when you go one size up? Instead of 225 stock size, I went with more beefier 235/55/19 falken wildpeak a/t trail on the 2021 carbon edition turbo. And do I need to get an alignment with these new tires? They're only 7 days old and my car doesn't pull to one side.
Sluggish acceleration after tire upgrade (2021 CX-5)
- Thread starter tigg1995
- Start date
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- W WA
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- 2024 CX-5 Premium
The new tire is slightly larger and likely weighs more than the tires you replaced so you might notice a slight decrease in acceleration but I wouldn't expect it to be a very dramatic difference.
As far as alignment, I'd say if the tires you replaced all had normal wear pattern and the car tracks straight then no alignment is needed.
As far as alignment, I'd say if the tires you replaced all had normal wear pattern and the car tracks straight then no alignment is needed.
20 lbs total, about the weght of a bag of groceries. Does you car feel sluggish after going to the market?
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- 2014 & 2019 CX-5 Touring(s)
The added rotational weight (mass) of a heavier tire or wheel has much more impact than static cargo weight.
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- W WA
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- 2024 CX-5 Premium
The additional unsprung weight of a heavier tire will affect the suspension too.
I went to lighter wheels and tires (12 lb per wheel IIRC), and absolutely can feel the difference. The car will also chirp the tires going WOT from a stop. It never did that before.
Bigger section width = more rolling resistance
Bigger overall diameter = more rotational inertia
Offroad tire = more rolling resistance
Heavier tire = more rotational inertia
Any one of those things alone would slow you down. All of them together... Yeah, I'd imagine you'd feel it.
Your speedo's off, too, by the way. You're going slightly faster than it says you are.
Possibly more wear-and-tear on your wheel bearings, ball joints, bushings, brakes, and powertrain, too – though TBH it's unlikely you'll notice much of that.
tigg1995, meet physics. Physics, meet tigg1995.
I would say exercise your exchange / refund window asap and put the OE tire size on -
Determine why it is you did this ( performance ? etc ) and find the OE tire that exhibits the best aspect of what you desire - to many variables change - I did this once a long time ago and remember the exact same thing happened ( it was a Mazda 3 GT ) and I put Firestone performance tires on which were on sale -- I swapped em back within 3 days -- The gas mileage was terrible too -- live/learn
Determine why it is you did this ( performance ? etc ) and find the OE tire that exhibits the best aspect of what you desire - to many variables change - I did this once a long time ago and remember the exact same thing happened ( it was a Mazda 3 GT ) and I put Firestone performance tires on which were on sale -- I swapped em back within 3 days -- The gas mileage was terrible too -- live/learn
Yes, this is real. The additional unsprung weight will have that much difference. I had 2020 CX-9 Touring with 18' wheels.... then bought '22 Touring Plus with 20's. The difference in acceleration is substantial.
