Hi Guys

On my Mini (2002 Cooper S R53), the traction control light is flashing briefly when I'm doing over 70mph.

The steering wheel is a tiny bit off straight (although it was 4-wheel aligned in January), I think its caused by two oddly worn front tyres.

I've been driving on my spare set of wheels up until last week (where everything was okay), and since putting my main set back on, the steering wheel wasn't straight, its pulling all over the show (hard to keep in a straight line, and damn right dangerous on the m'way) and the traction control/DSC light is flashes periodically when I'm trying to correct the steering.

The spare set were only 175s - whereas these are 215s - so they are very sensitive to camber/tram-lining etc. (which doesn't help)

Its fairly obvious that its a tracking/tyre issue ... but what I wanted to know, is if tyres worn by the previous owner (from having bad tracking) - then once the tracking is aligned - could cause the steering wheel to now be off-centre and cause the behaviour described?

The tyres have 5mm on them - so its a shame to replace them - but they do look unevenly worn - so I'm guessing I have no choice?

The order of the day will probably be 2x new tyres + 4 wheel alignment. But before I go dropping £380 on that (!) - is there anything I just maybe have a nosy at (RTAB etc)?

 

If the tires are unevenly worn and you had the car properly aligned with said tires, you're going to have tracking issues due to the uneven-ness.

How bad the symptoms will be depends on how bad the tires are and how fast you're driving.

I'd say you're probably going to be in need of new tires. Just my opinion though, I'm no expert.

 

Faulty wheel speed sensor? Or uneven tire wear like Dan suggested?

-Jorge