I installed new Continental DWS tires,, stock size on the front and 285-30-19's on the rear. I have noticed a burning rubber smell now, coming from both the front and rear wheel area. I thought maybe the rear tires were rubbing, but stuck my hand in the wheel well and there is plenty of room. Plus this wouldn't explain the smell in the front.
Any ideas what is causing this? Thanks for your help.

 

Not that this would happen to you but I had a friend 'help me' put the track tires on once, he installed one of the rears on the front, then drove it briefly It rubbed something fierce. Clearly since you have already been down around and checking gaps, this is not the case with your smell right?


Alan

 

New tire smell? Or else you need to slow down.

 

My Nitto Invos when new, smelled liked, um fertilizer. Could be just the rubber compound. They took about 2 weeks before they stopped smelling up the garage.

To be safe, double check to make sure they are not rubbing anywhere....look for shiny new black tread where it should be dirty from driving, and for that matter that something else on the car is not rubbing on the tires after the change.

Good luck,
KrzyFast

 

285s are not big on a 9" rim, I have 315s and no issues when autocrossing, no spacers. Woody

 

I put these exact same tires on the rear about 2 months ago. I'm still on the origidial fronts, (Contis). I bought these after read'n the reviews. I don't have any rubbing issues. Nor do I detect a smell. But I have to say these are about the hardest tires I have ever had. I can sit and do burn outs without smoke'n the tires, they spin but no smoke. I was forced to make a quick choice on tires as I had picked up a hunk of metal in one of my tires.

I've purty much settled on the wheels that I go'n to put on and when I get those I'm go'n to buy a different set of tires (softer) at the same time and I'll keep the DWS tires as spares.

 

sounds like, or should say, smells like it could be something else the installers might have done....but, I can't think of anything that could have been messed up by them that would create a burning rubber smell. Did they do anything else while they had it?

 

I put the DWS on my wife's Acura TL and the tires (rubber) do not smell. It is a garaged car.

Just FYI

Paul

 

The burning smell has dissipated - whatever it was. I took the car to a high-end wheel shop that specializes in "exotics and imports" that was recommended by the Benz Club just to install the tires. I was afraid if I took it to my local tire shop they would jack up the TPMS.

I got the new tires just in time - 9" of snow yeterday. Plowed through it like a 4-wheel drive. Yes, these tires do "feel heavy". It kinda feels like wearing high heels for awhile then putting on snow boots. Not that you guys would know about that (or...would you?? ) But it is a good thing.
100% improvement in the snow.