Break in on new tires?

[BreadRunner]

Hello all,

I just got some brand new Nitto Neo-Gen's last week. This will only be my second set of brand new tires in my life, and first of good tires. My question is, do I need to "break-in" these tires? I ask because as soon as a drove on them, the car felt worse, the steering felt loose, and not too stable on the highway. After about 100 miles on them, they are starting to feel better.

The old tires were the RS-4's and with almost no tread left, still felt like they gripped better in a corner. I know they are a much better tire than the Neo-Gen's, but was hoping that the Neo-Gen's would be as good as almost dead RS-4's.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sammm]

It's just the mold release film...give them 50 miles or so to scrub it off before you attempt spirited driving.

[BreadRunner]

OK. Thanks. Hope they feel better soon, as of now, I'm a bit disappointed.

[wrx74]

Pressures?

[OZMDD]

Don't know much about that tire, but the weather conditions have not been conducive to summer tires. In cooler temps the grippy tires become very hard and ineffective. Some will even crack below freezing temps.

[black roadster]

Check tire pressure and get a good four-wheel alignment too.

[Nails]

What brand are the RS-4's?

[BreadRunner]

The Rs-4's are from Hancook.

Checked my pressures, the guy set them at almost 40 psi lol I set them to 32, and with that plus more driving on them, they are starting to feel better. Thanks guys for your help.

[driftdevil]

Are you sure they are not Rs3's? I'm not aware of an RS4. Unless it's an Audi.

[BreadRunner]

Ya, sorry. Meant rs-3 lol

[Nails]

The RS-3 will have more grip and pressure should be 29 I believe.

[wrx74]

What year Miata? What size are the tires?

[EricJ]

And what size wheels. Pressure for a 225 is much different on a 7 1/2" rim than a 9".

[BreadRunner]

I have 15x9's on my 2002. And the tires are 205/50 wanted to stay with the 225/45 that I had, but wasn't in budget and needed tires badly.

[JDSM]

don't forget the molding "nipples", they will make the "sqwirmy" feeling you describe, wear those off and away you go!

[OZMDD]

The squirm you feel is actually the tread blocks flexing; the smaller nubs don't have much effect. This is why many drivers shave new tires to eliminate the squirm, and also to reduce the heat that is generated within the tread from the squirming. Also, the mold release has to be scrubbed off. Worry not, its normal.