Odd Tire Issue

[sparter]

I've got a 2014 Ford Explorer. This July, I put on new all season Nokian One 109V XL - 255/50R20 tires. Iv'e got 3600 km's on the tires now. The last couple days we've had some sleet-snow and the roads are ice covered in spots. I've noticed when driving on the highway or in town when the vehicle transitions from ice covered to bare wet or dry pavement, the vehicle kind of slips sideways slightly a bit. It's difficult to explain, but there is a split second of it feeling like I'll lose control of the vehicle.
On shear ice or pavement it does not do this.

I tried the traction settings dial from regular mode to snow mode and that made no difference. Speed also does not seem to make a difference (highway and on streets). I inspected the tires and do not see any issues. ABS light also is not on.

Any ideas on what this could be?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
There have been a few similar reports. Being out in Saskatchewan, I would have gone with a dedicated set of winter tires. I have always done that here. The slippage could be due to the traction control system briefly changing its strategy. I'm guessing that it corrects itself? It is unlikely the ABS light would come on since you are not braking. The TC light could flash momentarily if the issue involves Traction Control.
BTW, it's a Nokian tire. I had to do quite a bit of searching to find that brand.

Peter

 

[sparter]

Welcome to the Forum.
There have been a few similar reports. Being out in Saskatchewan, I would have gone with a dedicated set of winter tires. I have always done that here. The slippage could be due to the traction control system briefly changing its strategy. I'm guessing that it corrects itself? It is unlikely the ABS light would come on since you are not braking. The TC light could flash momentarily if the issue involves Traction Control.
BTW, it's a Nokian tire. I had to do quite a bit of searching to find that brand.

Peter

Lol, Nokia is a phone! I fixed it. Interesting to hear of similar reports. Prior to these, I had Michelin Premier LTX and did not see that issue. I was wondering if it was a reaction thing trying to adjust itself. Bizarre that that it didn't do that on the previous tires.

 

[BKennedy]

If this is the first time you have had these tires in winter weather, and it's the only thing different than last winter, it's the tires. It might go away as I imagine the traction control is adaptive.

 

[sparter]

If this is the first time you have had these tires in winter weather, and it's the only thing different than last winter, it's the tires. It might go away as I imagine the traction control is adaptive.

Good to know, here's hoping so

 

[Michael Blackburn]

I read of similar reports here and other forums of the Exp shaking it's butt when driving over intermittent ice/snow.
General consensus was a wheel alignment fixed most of the shimmy. Especially a rear alignment.
Also check if a rear brake is dragging, that could upset the Traction Control.

Fritz

 

[sparter]

I read of similar reports here and other forums of the Exp shaking it's butt when driving over intermittent ice/snow.
General consensus was a wheel alignment fixed most of the shimmy. Especially a rear alignment.
Also check if a rear brake is dragging, that could upset the Traction Control.

Fritz

Good points, I had an alignment when the tires were put on, unsure if the rear was done. The rear brakes were replaced just before the tires went on so that could be an issue?

 

[peterk9]

Good points, I had an alignment when the tires were put on, unsure if the rear was done. The rear brakes were replaced just before the tires went on so that could be an issue?

I think it would be a very rare case where all 4 wheels weren't done during an alignment. I don't know if the alignment was done by your dealership or an independent garage, but my dealer always provides the alignment documentation.

Peter