Tires - Steering/Body Vibration
Classification:ST01-002
Reference:
NTB01-082
Date:
November 26, 2001
2002 ALTIMA; STEERING/BODY VIBRATION DUE TO TIRE
FLAT-SPOTTING
APPLIED VEHICLE:
2002 Altima (L31)
SERVICE INFORMATION
If a 2002 Altima exhibits steering and/or body vibration while driving (without braking) at highway speeds, the cause may be due to tire flat-spotting.
Use the Service Procedure in this bulletin to identify and resolve this incident, if it should occur.
General Notes/Tips on Noise and Vibration:
Road Input (Road Surface Imperfections);
This bulletin does not apply to vibration complaints due to waves, cracks, expansion joints, and other imperfections that may exist on the surface of the road.
By road testing a known good vehicle with the same size tires on the same road and comparing vibration levels to the incident vehicle, it is possible to confirm if the incident vibration is due to road input.
Low Profile Tires
The 2002 Altima (L31) is equipped with low profile tires: 17" rim with 55 aspect ratio or 16" rim with 65 aspect ratio.
^ In recent years customers have demanded low profile tires because of their appealing style and better handling performance.
^ However, low profile tires/wheels are less capable of absorbing road input vibration and road noise than high profile tires.
^ Therefore, low profile tires/wheels can cause greater level of vibration and road noise.
^ All tires flat-spot to varying degrees, however low profile tires are more sensitive to the effects of flat-spotting.
Notes/Tips On Tire Flat-Spotting
Vehicle Storage Effect On Tire Flat-Spotting:
Two types of tire flat-spotting may occur;
^ short-period cold-weather related flat-spotting
^ long-period storage-related flat-spotting
The following are descriptions of both types; Short-Period Cold-Related Flat-Spotting;
This type of flat-spotting may occur when a vehicle is parked or stored for short periods of time (i.e. overnight parking or airport parking, etc., for up to 3 weeks).
Tires usually recover quickly from "cold" flat-spots.
If the cause of the vibration is due to short-period flat-spotting, balancing the tire/wheel will not resolve the vibration.
Long-Period Storage-Related Flat-Spotting:
This type of flat-spotting may occur when a vehicle is parked or stored in one location for a long period of time (more than one month). It can be generally eliminated by one of these following methods;
^ Increasing tire pressure to 44 psi and lifting all the tires off the ground for a few days.
CAUTION:
Tire pressure should then be re-adjusted to the recommended pressures. See Step # 4. Tire pressures should be checked COLD, never when tires are HOT
^ Driving 100+ miles at highway speeds (60-70 mph).
Minimizing The Possibility Of Tire Flat-Spotting;
Vehicles are shipped from the factory with tire pressure higher than the recommended pressure to help avoid flat-spotting during storage. Tire flat-spotting is a temporary condition. As the car is used frequently, tire flat-spotting effects become smaller. The effects of tire flat-spotting should decrease during the "break-in" period.
To minimize the possibility of flat-spots occurring on new vehicles, take the following steps upon receipt of newly shipped vehicles;
^ Do not reduce tire pressure until the vehicle is in the final stages of being readied for customer delivery.
^ Move each vehicle at least once every two weeks. Make sure that the vehicle will rest on a different tire spot whenever it is moved.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Inspect Wheels and Tires:
1. Inspect wheels and determine if the vehicle is equipped with Nissan OEM wheels and tires;
^ If the vehicle is not equipped with Nissan OEM wheels and tires, this bulletin and Nissan Warranty Coverage do not apply. Vibrations that can be caused by aftermarket products or modifications are not covered.
^ If the vehicle is equipped with Nissan OEM wheels and tires, proceed to step 2 below.
2. Determine if the Nissan OEM wheels are aftermarket chrome plated;
^ If the Nissan OEM wheels are aftermarket chrome plated, this bulletin and Nissan Warranty Coverage do not apply. Vibrations that can be caused by aftermarket products or modifications are not covered.
If the Nissan OEM wheels are not aftermarket chrome plated, proceed to step 3.
3. Inspect the wheels/tire assemblies for damage (i.e. cuts, blisters, abnormal wear, visible scuff marks, bent wheels, drive line, out-of-round tires, uneven tire wear, wheel nut torque, etc). Determine if damage is present:
^ If damage is present, repair as needed before proceeding.
^ If damage is not present, proceed to the step 4 below.
4. Check tire pressure cold and inflate all four tires to:
^ All applied vehicles with 17" wheels are 33 psi Front and 30 psi Rear.
^ All applied vehicles with 16" wheels are 29 psi Front and Rear.
Road Test Procedure: Short Period Tire Flat-Spotting
You must perform the tests under the conditions noted below to "exercise" the tires and eliminate "cold" flat spotting that occurs due to short-period vehicle storage or parking (see Short-Period/Cold Flat Spotting on for detail).
Notes:
^ The 225/55 17" tires are more likely to exhibit short period flat-spotting due to their lower profiles.
^ If the cause of the vibration is due to short-period flat-spoiling, balancing the tire/wheel will not resolve the vibration.
Road test the applied vehicle under the following conditions:
^ On a smooth road between speeds of 60 and 70 MPH (within speed limits) for 10 to 20 miles.
^ Occasionally make turns to check for low-level vibration in the steering and/or body.
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Operation (P0) line claim using the claims coding shown.