# Weaving on metal grate/drawbridge... tires? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** tires\ **Created:** [October 5, 2007, 2:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496 "2007-10-05T02:49:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dannyb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dannyb/32/5843_2.png) [@dannyb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dannyb)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 2:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/1 "2007-10-05T02:49:24Z")
Hi, everyone, I was in an accident recently and the repair shop put on four new tires. Now, when I drive across metal drawbridges (those with a grated surfaces), I find that the car swerves around … the back end kicks out and the front drifts around. Prior to the new tires I experienced a similar sensation, but it was much less pronounced… it’s sort of a white-knuckle situation! On other surfaces it drives like a charm: straight and sure. On metal grate bridges it’s scary. Is it my tires or could it be a side-effect of the accident that was unaddressed? (VW Jetta tdi 2001) ---
**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/2 "2007-10-05T03:14:20Z")
I would guess that it’s either the tires or an alignment issue. Also, check you tire pressure just to make sure. You think that’s scary, try it on a motorcycle at high speed (images of chess graters come to mind). ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/3 "2007-10-05T03:26:11Z")
There is one hope for an easy fix and I agree that the tire pressure is the first step. Changing the loading of the trunk too. No real idea here. ---
**Author:** ![lprocter](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/lprocter/32/40_2.png) [@lprocter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lprocter)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/4 "2007-10-05T13:01:21Z")
Same thing happens to me with my 02 Accent. I think the problem is the tires are so narrow, it’s easy for them to bounce around to different grooves. I live it with it, curse a bit, but what the f\*\*\*? I’d say for you it’s probably a combination of tire pressure, alignment, and the fact you’re paying more attention to it now. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/5 "2007-10-05T13:57:02Z")
I guess I am less optimistic than the prior responders. While checking the tyre pressure is a good idea and may reduce the effect, I suspect it is a matter of tyre and tread design. Not much you can do about it. BTW I agree with Craig’s comment about driving a motorcycle over one of those, especially the first time. Carry a spare underwear. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/6 "2007-10-05T15:04:21Z")
That would happen to me too on such surfaces when driving a compact. Especially on NYC’s Queensboro Bridge. All the way across. Maybe it happens to most small cars. I never made any mechanical repairs, merely drove with more attention when I knew it was coming. Slow down, allow more space fore and aft, stay in the middle, grip the wheel tighter, and so on. Not a solution, I know, but there’s only so much you want to do for such a rare but predictable situation. ---
**Author:** ![wagonman76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ee7513/32.png) [@wagonman76](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wagonman76)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/weaving-on-metal-grate-drawbridge-tires/5496/7 "2007-10-05T16:09:19Z")
When I put a set of Winterforce snow tires on my 6000 wagon, I noticed it would do the same thing on grooved pavement. Thankfully there is not much grooved pavement around here. As far as driving on metal grating, I think most people have the same issue. At least I hear about it a lot from people who drive over the Mackinac bridge, for about 1 1/2 miles the 2 inner lanes are grating.