Car hunts and gets caught in grooves

[xupkid2]

I tried searching for any info on this but had little luck. I purchased a CPO 2015 S4 with the 19" wheel package and Conti Sport Contact 3's on it which is the OE tire. The issue I am having is the car moves around like crazy when at speeds less than 55mph. Any groove or line in the road and it will follow it. It makes the car very difficult to drive and almost seems dangerous. I've owned a lot of cars and this is the first one that has done this. With the car being a CPO I am assuming the alignment and tires were checked and passed inspection but I do know what assumptions are.

So far I think there are a couple of things to check but wanted to see if anyone else experienced this issue and what the solution was.

List of things to check in order of what I plan to do
- Double check tire pressures
- Rotate front to rear
- Get alignment
- Get new tires

Appreciate any input the group may have

Thanks
Brian

[torinalth]

tire pressure for sure. when I pulled my stockers out of the attic after winter they were really down on pressure and gave the same feel so that is possible. in general the more performance oriented tires and the wider they are the more they will have this tendency. Alignment is always possible. when in doubt since it is new and CPO call the service center and explain to them your concerns and see what they say.

That said, I just replaced them with new Michelin Pilot Super Sports (nice, but overrated for the price) and it tracks a lot less in grooves are more stable, and quieter as well.

regarding stability outside following grooves in the road I went to aftermarket swaybars and a tower brace to increase higher speed stability which greatly helped.

[rraj2k9]

Check tire pressure, alignment and tire tread depth. If they all check out it's just a matter of the tires getting warmed up enough to grip the road.

Since you are in FL, temperatures should not be an issue. So drive it for a few days and it will feel more planted.

Being in a winter area this is something I go through when I switch my Winters to the Summer Conti's around April, where the tires need some time to warm up with drive and weather. It eventually starts to grip and get planted.

[bberg22]

I was getting some of the same symptoms and noticed my tire pressure was down about 3 PSI due to outside temp vs when the dealer installed the tires. I set them to 40PSI cold on the front and 38 rear for the sock 18 inch wheels and noticed a major improvement. I also noticed that installing the CR-15 strut tower brace from U2Nelson helped a lot with these symptoms.

[S4inBC]

I just switched back to my summer tires (same as the OP) after having my winter wheel/tire package on and have to get used to the exact same thing. It's amazing how much more it hunts around on the wider, lower profile tires. The steering feeling is so much more direct with the summers though.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Many tires that don't have a "V" pattern tend to track to the left or right in groves in the roads. From my understanding the grove will catch in between the ridges of the treads and then pull the vehicle one way or the other. Sort of like it's on a rail system. Just the nature of the tire. The lower the tread depth the more likely it is to do this, similarly if you have lower tire pressure.

Jason

[Arn560]

tire pressure for sure. when I pulled my stockers out of the attic after winter they were really down on pressure and gave the same feel so that is possible. in general the more performance oriented tires and the wider they are the more they will have this tendency. Alignment is always possible. when in doubt since it is new and CPO call the service center and explain to them your concerns and see what they say.

That said, I just replaced them with new Michelin Pilot Super Sports (nice, but overrated for the price) and it tracks a lot less in grooves are more stable, and quieter as well.

regarding stability outside following grooves in the road I went to aftermarket swaybars and a tower brace to increase higher speed stability which greatly helped.

You kept your tires in the attic? WOW!

[torinalth]

You kept your tires in the attic? WOW!

and the problem?

[Iceburg-V604]

I had this issue a few months back and no one locally could help me...I hope this helps you.

The CONTI's are garbage, all my previous car's have had Conti's and never experienced this bubbling/cupping..the bubbling/cupping and uneven wear was present in all OEM tires... the dealership where I purchased my vehicle (I will never do business again) refused to help & placed blame on my driving and or possible aftermarket wheels.

A local tire/wheel shop who I reached out to as another opinion even indicated that it was completely normal due to 255 + awd...I knew it was BS, i knew something was off.

Do yourself a favor and burn those tires...I replaced them with TOYO's...way less road noise, much better grip and no veering off the road...I finally was able to enjoy the car again.

What i found surprising is that this is a common issue, I had the threads bookmarked at one point but have since removed...just search for cupping/audi/conti..something will come up.

You could have the car hoisted and spin the wheels...you might be able to see the uneven/cupping wear...apparently this is common with the POS OEM tires.

Good luck.

[fitzydude]

I was having this issue and most went away with the replacement of a bad control arm. Then followed that up with the Alu Kreuz which improved highway driving even further!

[cobrario]

2014 w/same tires, same problem, replace the tires with something better and you'll be fine.

[Oloung1]

2014 w/same tires, same problem, replace the tires with something better and you'll be fine.

2014 with the same tires and the same problem. posted up on repairpal to track this problem and the first reply was to throw away these shit tires.

[ZGskibum]

I had this issue a few months back and no one locally could help me...I hope this helps you.

The CONTI's are garbage, all my previous car's have had Conti's and never experienced this bubbling/cupping..the bubbling/cupping and uneven wear was present in all OEM tires... the dealership where I purchased my vehicle (I will never do business again) refused to help & placed blame on my driving and or possible aftermarket wheels.

A local tire/wheel shop who I reached out to as another opinion even indicated that it was completely normal due to 255 + awd...I knew it was BS, i knew something was off.

Do yourself a favor and burn those tires...I replaced them with TOYO's...way less road noise, much better grip and no veering off the road...I finally was able to enjoy the car again.

What i found surprising is that this is a common issue, I had the threads bookmarked at one point but have since removed...just search for cupping/audi/conti..something will come up.

You could have the car hoisted and spin the wheels...you might be able to see the uneven/cupping wear...apparently this is common with the POS OEM tires.

Good luck.

+1

I had the same problem and it went away immediately when I put on my snow tires this winter.

[Dakkath]

OP:

How many miles you got on those tires? My '13 had those tires and around 10K miles the hunting and stuff was getting ridiculous. Tire pressure does help. At 14K miles I gave those tires up.

My '16 has brand new (1800 miles) on the same tires and its a night and day difference, well also @ 38-40PSI. But I suspect the same issues at or around 10K miles.

Do yourself a favor and get new tires if they are around 10K.

[Danny2323]

Have you tried turning off of the DSR using VAGCOM?

[Teamnct4]

I'm having the same problem with the same tires. I have 300 miles on my car.

[barbear1978]

Have an 8-month old 2015 S4 w/ just over 11K miles... took it in for 15K service and the dealer said the 19" OEM tires were cupped/trashed due to under-inflation. WTF Audi!? Never had a TPMS light... thought this was supposed to be 'truth in engineering'!? $1K later w/ Pirelli all-seasons and it's like a different car. Continental FAIL.

[pdqgp]

and the problem?

Heat is not their friend.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=37

Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to store tires in a dry basement or climate-controlled workshop than in a standard garage, storage shed, hot attic or outdoors. While basement and shop surroundings tend to remain cool and dry, conditions found in typical garage, shed, attic and outdoor locations often include a wide range of hot and cold temperatures, as well as seasonal precipitation and humidity.

[Voodoo08]

Heat is not their friend.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=37

Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to store tires in a dry basement or climate-controlled workshop than in a standard garage, storage shed, hot attic or outdoors. While basement and shop surroundings tend to remain cool and dry, conditions found in typical garage, shed, attic and outdoor locations often include a wide range of hot and cold temperatures, as well as seasonal precipitation and humidity.

I would bet since they were in his attic during the winter, heat was probably not a factor.

[DannyDeez]

Heat is not their friend.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=37

Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to store tires in a dry basement or climate-controlled workshop than in a standard garage, storage shed, hot attic or outdoors. While basement and shop surroundings tend to remain cool and dry, conditions found in typical garage, shed, attic and outdoor locations often include a wide range of hot and cold temperatures, as well as seasonal precipitation and humidity.

I would bet since they were in his attic during the winter, heat was probably not a factor.

Tires see high temperatures every summer, and even longer for people who live in the hotter areas of the country. Why would it even matter where they are stored. If they were on the car they would be subject to even worse abuse by sitting out in the sun all day.

[Thurston]

Have an 8-month old 2015 S4 w/ just over 11K miles... took it in for 15K service and the dealer said the 19" OEM tires were cupped/trashed due to under-inflation. WTF Audi!? Never had a TPMS light... thought this was supposed to be 'truth in engineering'!? $1K later w/ Pirelli all-seasons and it's like a different car. Continental FAIL.

they had to drop the "truth in engineering" moniker after dieselgate now the new slogan is "truth in technology" Hopefully that technology includes digital tire pressure readouts that my 2006 lexus came standard with. It's sad but what ever a companies slogan is, i'm inclined to just assume it's their weakest point . . fox news fair and balanced comes to mind as an example.

[MrFunk]

Lots of long responses above. I'd say it's your tires. Those OE tires are known to tramline badly. Some tires more than others...

Here is a good article - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47 - cut and pasted below.

"Tramlining: Coping with the Ruts in the Road

The term "tramlining" is being used to describe when directional control is disrupted by the vehicle's tendency to follow the longitudinal ruts and/or grooves in the road. It's name could be compared to the tram or trolley driver who does not steer because his vehicle follows the path established by the tracks.

Any vehicle can exhibit tramlining on certain areas of the highway because of uneven pavement or severe rutting. And all vehicles tramline to some degree rather than obediently following the driver's steering input. For example, there's usually at least a small change in steering resistance felt through the wheel when crossing an uneven expansion joint or asphalt junction during lane changes.

Noticeable increases in tramlining are frequently uncovered when drivers living in the snowbelt make the seasonal changeover from winter tires to summer tires, or when any driver upgrades the performance of their tires using either the same size or going to a "Plus Size" tire and wheel package. The reason that it becomes more pronounced then is because neither the typically narrower and softer handling winter tires nor the Original Equipment tires generate as much grip or responsiveness as the higher performance summer tires. Since the vehicle's suspension works as a complete package, a higher performance tire will also uncover any previously unnoticed looseness in the rest of the suspension.

Components
Tires have the most direct influence on tramlining because they are the part of the vehicle that comes into contact with the road (and the longitudinal ruts and/or grooves that exist there). Unfortunately anything that increases a high performance tire's responsiveness also increases its willingness to tramline.

High performance tires with short sidewalls that develop lots of cornering power at lower slip angles will be more susceptible to tramlining than standard All-Season passenger tires that develop less cornering force until their slip angle increases. A wider treaded tire will encounter more longitudinal ruts and/or grooves in the road than a narrow treaded tire. A tire with large tread blocks that transmits the driver's input to the road with great precision will also transmit the road's imperfections back to the vehicle's suspension. And because tires become more responsive as their tread depth wears away (which is why tires are shaved for competition and track use), a tire will become more likely to tramline as it wears.

Wheels can influence tramlining as well. Installing wider tires or a "Plus Size" tire and wheel package usually requires using wheels with a different offset than the vehicle's original wheels. In some cases, the new wheels will have slightly less offset than the original and in other cases, slightly more. It all depends on the vehicle's suspension design and available wheelwell clearances. You will even find that Original Equipment manufacturers often use different wheel offsets for their different diameter tire and wheel packages.

Usually the amount of offset change is kept to a minimum and vehicle tracking remains relatively unchanged. However if the offset is significantly different, it will alter the way the road forces are transmitted through the tire and wheel to the suspension. Therefore, large changes in wheel offset will increase the likelihood of tramlining.

Suspension bushings, ball joints and shock absorber mounts have a direct influence on tramlining as well. As miles are driven and the years go by, the suspension's wear parts will deteriorate as they age. This often happens so slowly that it isn't very noticeable. Over time the ever-increasing suspension wear permits play that eventually allows the tire to be directed by the irregularities of the road rather than be controlled by the suspension.

Imagine a worn suspension that allows a front wheel and tire to swing between the recommended 1/16-inch of toe-in and 1/16-inch of toe-out when it encounters a rut in the road. This 1/8-inch difference in the direction that the tire is pointed will result in the vehicle tramlining. Replace the worn part to remove the play and you will significantly reduce or remove the tramlining. Many drivers with higher mileage cars have reported that replacing worn suspension components has eliminated tramlining and made the car drive like it is new again...which I guess it essentially is!

Service Adjustments
Using higher tire pressures than recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for your driving conditions will unnecessarily stiffen the tire and make it even more willing to cause tramlining. If you are running higher tire pressures than necessary, simply dropping the tire pressures to those recommended by the vehicle manufacturer will help reduce tramlining.

Alignment settings can be key as well. The "camber" and "toe" settings both play a role in vehicle stability and the propensity for tramlining. Extreme positive or negative camber settings will make a vehicle more sensitive, especially when only one wheel encounters a longitudinal rut and/or groove at a time. Even if all the tires are "aimed" straight ahead when the vehicle is in motion, a tire that is "cambered" wants to turn. This is the result of the "camber thrust" generated by a leaning tire (it is also part of the explanation of how motorcycles turn). A vehicle suspension using lots of negative camber for competition or the track will experience more tramlining on the street.

Additionally, the drivers who use additional toe-out settings to encourage their vehicle to turn into corners better also encourage tramlining because the extra toe-out will reduce vehicle stability in a straight line.

In the case of the competition driver who uses non-factory alignment settings, the amount of tramlining that is acceptable has to be left up to the driver. For only street-driven cars, getting them aligned with negative camber and toe settings within the factory's specifications is an important first step.

Roads
On a multi-lane highway, usually the left lane offers the smoothest road surface because it sees the least amount of heavy truck traffic. Unfortunately, on many interstate highways, it's not legal to continually drive there (pull right except to pass). While the center lane can be almost as smooth on a six-lane highway, there can be exceptions. For example, in the case of I-94 between Chicago and Milwaukee, you will find that when the road was widened from two to three lanes, the center of the new center lane is on top of the original junction between the earlier two lanes. This means that vehicles traveling in the new center lane have their right hand tires on the original right hand truck lane and their left side tires are on the original left lane. This can cause an uncomfortable feeling for miles. Usually the right hand lanes are the least smooth because they are rutted by heavy truck traffic. When you drive in those lanes, or drive across them to exit the highway, it's possible that you'll find your vehicle may feel like it wants to follow the truck ruts and has a mind of its own.

Driving Style
If you experience tramlining, the main thing you want to remember is to keep both hands on the steering wheel in the proper "9- and 3-o'clock" positions. This will help you make the precise steering inputs that will help keep your vehicle on course. You sacrifice precise control if you drive with one hand on the wheel or both hands in the wrong place."

[Acejam]

This is a known issue with the stock factory Continentals. Fortunately, there is also a known fix: Swap them out for Michelin Pilot Super Sports. (PSS)

[marquette100]

I tried searching for any info on this but had little luck. I purchased a CPO 2015 S4 with the 19" wheel package and Conti Sport Contact 3's on it which is the OE tire. The issue I am having is the car moves around like crazy when at speeds less than 55mph. Any groove or line in the road and it will follow it. It makes the car very difficult to drive and almost seems dangerous. I've owned a lot of cars and this is the first one that has done this. With the car being a CPO I am assuming the alignment and tires were checked and passed inspection but I do know what assumptions are.

So far I think there are a couple of things to check but wanted to see if anyone else experienced this issue and what the solution was.

List of things to check in order of what I plan to do
- Double check tire pressures
- Rotate front to rear
- Get alignment
- Get new tires

Appreciate any input the group may have

Thanks
Brian

My buddy has this issue with his contis that came stock. I drove it and understood the issue.

I had stock pirellis on mine and didn't have that issue but the pirellis had less grip.

We both switched to Michelin PSS at 10k miles into the cars life and don't have that issue anymore.

Totally a Conti issue. The stock tires both suck.

PSS should be standard for a 60k car

[barbear1978]

I agree. For the amount of money we throw into these cars, summer tires should last more than one flippin' season. Has there been any legal action on the OEM Conti's by anyone?