New GS owner
07-20-2011, 08:44 PM
#1
3rd Gear
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New GS owner
I am a new 2011 GS owner, i am noticing that the handling is a bit jumpy on anything but perfect roads, it dart left or right if there are any ridges in the surface. is this normal? I live in the NW and our freeways often are rutted due to studed tires. aquaplaning is present when water builds up in the ruts...is this just the nature of the beast or is it a problem?
07-20-2011, 08:49 PM
#3
Team Owner
Welcome to the Forum!!!!!!! 
Congratulations on your new GS!! Enjoy the car and the Forums. 
Check out the Pacific Northwest Forum for local members, events and discussion:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pacific-northwest-127/
Congratulations on your new GS!! Enjoy the car and the Forums. Check out the Pacific Northwest Forum for local members, events and discussion:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pacific-northwest-127/
07-20-2011, 08:52 PM
#4
Is that you Jack? 
If not welcome aboard and yes the wider tires will tend to wander a little.
Also ..................
If not welcome aboard and yes the wider tires will tend to wander a little.
Also ..................
Last edited by R&L's C6; 07-20-2011 at 09:00 PM.
07-20-2011, 08:59 PM
#5
Heel & Toe
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I experienced the dartiness over rutted roads when my car was new as well (2011, took delivery last December) but found it diminished considerably over the course of the first couple hundred miles. While you should always expect a certain amount of this due to the very wide tires on the GS, I think the tires when brand new accentuate it and will get a little tamer as they wear-in. I find the car a lot less nervous over the same roads I first noticed it in.
Enjoy your new ride, and remember it is a sports car.
Enjoy your new ride, and remember it is a sports car.
07-20-2011, 09:04 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
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Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Unmodified
Congrats and enjoy your new 2011 Corvette and the Corvette Forum!
07-20-2011, 09:05 PM
#9
Team Owner
Wider tires do exhibit the problems you describe, but the original equipment Goodyears seem to be worse then other brands, like the Michelin PS2 ZP or the Bridgestone RE050A RFT. GM's wheel alignment can also be a problem.
Most of us tend to switch tire brands when we wear out the original set and get our wheels aligned to PFADT race engineering Performance Steet specs, which is better for street driving and promote better tire wear. If you think it will take forever for you to wear out the original tires, don't worry about it(better start saving up for new tires starting yesterday).
Most of us tend to switch tire brands when we wear out the original set and get our wheels aligned to PFADT race engineering Performance Steet specs, which is better for street driving and promote better tire wear. If you think it will take forever for you to wear out the original tires, don't worry about it(better start saving up for new tires starting yesterday).
07-20-2011, 09:19 PM
#10
Race Director
Get the alignment check. What the heck it is free and it is probably out of specs or within GM's big tolerance for specs.
I drove my new GS over bumpy curvy roads and had no issues, handled better than my 08 with All Seasons and F55.
Congrats on the purchase. Of course you know you need to post pics.
I drove my new GS over bumpy curvy roads and had no issues, handled better than my 08 with All Seasons and F55.
Congrats on the purchase. Of course you know you need to post pics.
07-20-2011, 10:21 PM
#14
Spend time reading posts or searching in the Z06 section. Seems I recall hearing almost an identical description of Z06 behavior. With the GS you have the wider wheels and different suspension than the humble narrow body C6. I don't recall hearing this kind of thing said of the narrow body.
So, from what I read anyway, perhaps you're discovering some of the "bad" that comes with the good of being like a Z06?
So, from what I read anyway, perhaps you're discovering some of the "bad" that comes with the good of being like a Z06?
07-26-2011, 11:57 AM
#16
07-26-2011, 06:01 PM
#17
2nd Gear
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My 2005 base car, and my 2010 Grand Sport both displayed that tendency to dart. On BOTH cars the alignment from the factory was out, on the GS WAY out, especially the toe-in on the left side. After a good alignment they were both much better. My GS was totally different and does not dart at all. It tracks perfectly now. Have your alignment checked.
Larry
Larry
07-26-2011, 06:11 PM
#18
I just picked up a new 11 GS last Friday and noticed the same thing, of course I got to drive the 200 miles back home in a Monsoon and on some of FL's old back roads. Once onto the interstate and out of the rain it felt like a normal car with steamroller sized tires.
