Car jerking

Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 INFINITI M35
  • 168,000 MILES
So is my jerking problem that only happens when I turn relevant to this EVAP issue or is there something else going on? Because I don't have any other warning lights that come up that may indicate it s a traction issue even though I m feeling like it might be. Let me clarify when I m at a stop then proceed to turn the wheel and give it gas it starts stuttering or bucking motion I feel like coming from my back tires but my steering wheel doesn't jerk and if I coast into a tight turn it doesn't jerk. I have checked to make sure I have the same size tires 245/45 R18. The only difference I saw is that one the driver side front and rear they are 245/45 R18 96W and passenger side front and rear they are 245/45 R18 96V. I don t know if that could be part of my issue or if it is something completely different from that.
Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
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The 96W vs V is the load and speed rating. 96 means it can carry 1565 pounds. The W means it can travel at a max speed of 168 MPH and V is 149 MPH. This is not causing your issue.

It does seem like something is binding but I am not sure what would bind in this instance. Is your vehicle RWD? I don't see an option for AWD but we need to clarify that.

Also, it may be helpful getting a video because seeing what it is doing may help me identify possible causes. Thanks
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
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When I turn the vehicle on acc there is an AWD light that illuminates until I turn the car on fully, but there is no option to switch it. So I really don t know if it is rear wheel or all wheel drive to be honest. I will try to get a video soon.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. Then you have what is called all wheel drive. Four wheel drive would be the one that gives you options.

Since you have AWD you need to have 4 tires that are the same circumference and not just the same size. The fact that you have different tires on the vehicle makes me think that your tires are different sizes. I understand the tire sizes are the same but the actual measurement of the tires are different. Basically, the 4 tires need to be replaced together. When you replace one or multiple tires then the tires actually spin at different speeds. When this happens, the AWD system will vibrate causing what you are feeling.

The only issue is at this point is, if the damage is done then you will need to replace the transfer case in order to correct it. I would suggest changing all 4 tires because even if this doesn't fix it, they must be the same circumference on AWD vehicles.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
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Okay, I also noticed that they are not the same brand either. Don t know if that has something to do with it as well with the difference in sizes. So just to clarify. Sorry I m not to car savvy. Even though they are all 245/45r18 they could be different in size. Is this because of the speed rating or type of brand of tire?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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No. It is because one of them are newer than the other and so when a tire wears it loses tread. When it loses tread it actually gets smaller. So when you have worn tires and then put a new tire on but not all 4, it is larger even though the size that is labeled on the tires is the same. This is a very common mistake that AWD customers make and different brand tires is a clear giveaway. Why would you buy two tires of one brand and two of another if you are replacing them at the same time? You wouldn't. You would buy all 4 the same. However when you are replacing 2 tires it is common to not get the same brand because that store may not have the other or this was on sale.

Either way all 4 tires need to be the same circumference. That means if you take a tape measure and measure around the outside of the tire on the tread they need to measure the same. Another way to determine if they are different measurements is to put the vehicle on a flat surface and put a piece of masking tape at 6 o'clock on each wheel. Then roll the vehicle forward without turning the steering wheel so the tires make 4 complete revolutions and see where the tape is on each wheel. They should all be in the same orientation. So if one is at 8 o'clock when you stop they all should be at 8 o'clock.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
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It does seem odd that they are all not the same brand, but I did purchase it from used car lot so there really no telling what happened before I bought it. Turns out that my driver side front and rear tires which are both the same brand Yokohama Avid Envigor 245/45/R18 96w are smaller than my passenger side front Goodyear Eagle RS-A 245/45 r18 96v passenger side rear Optimo Hankook 245/45 R18 96v. Now stupid question considering the fact that I don t have the money to replace all 4 tires. If I switched and put say the smaller tires on the front (96w s) and the biggest ones in the rear (96 v s) would I have the same issue?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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To answer the question, no it will not matter.

All four have to be the same no matter where they are.

Also, the 96W and V are not size differences. Those are speed ratings so the tires are the same size when they were new regardless of those ratings.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
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Oh, I realize they where the same size at one point and time and I understand the speed rating. I was just describing from what I measured so you would know which tire I was referring to. With this issue could this be a sign that the transfer case may need fluid? You were saying earlier in the thread about something could be binding possibly.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Unfortunately, being low on fluid could cause an issue but it is unlikely that this is the issue here because different size tires causes the clutches to wear which is why they are vibrating.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
NYCSGREATONE03
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Okay, my TPMS is giving false readings. I ve checked the psi in the tires and it s not accurate. Is there a way to reset the system to where it will give a more accurate reading of my tires or does the system have to be replaced?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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We have to try to keep each thread to one issue just because if others have a TPM issue on this type of vehicle, they won't find it under the header of this post. However, this is normally the sensors in the tires. A lot of times when people change out the tires, they damage them. Unfortunately, there is no way to test the system without the proper tool. Most times it is OEM specific so its not like you can get a generic tool so they are normally pretty expensive.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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As KASEKENNY1 has said the actual problem is caused by the real difference in tire diameter. The first thing to do would be to replace the tires so they are the same size on all 4 corners. I would do one of two things, either replace all 4 tires with the correct size or if the Yokohama tires you have a pair of are in good shape then see if you can find another pair that matches them.
This is a priority thing to do. The jerking is caused by what is known as torque wrap. It can easily damage the very expensive driveline parts used in the AWD system and is caused by the different tire sizes. Another issue with the tires you have is that they are mismatched in tread types and compounds which could cause a loss of control in bad weather.
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Thursday, August 22nd, 2019 AT 2:19 AM

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