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Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:45 pm
by jonstrauss
Hi all
I recently bought a 2011 Scirocco R and all is great ;) I did the usual checks and everything seems straight and in order.

I know the R is fast, but I repeatedly lose traction when the turbo kicks in (only when I properly floor it from idle to the redline). Road is dry, straight...e.g. a slip road. Generally on 2nd and 3rd gear although it even happened on 4th when I dropped down a cog.
Tyres are new Imperial Ecosport 2 and at 38psi (recommended) on 19's.

It kind of skips / swerves a bit and is disconcerting. Is this normal? I know 265hp is a lot for FWD but I'm doubtful that VW would release a car that can't handle the power in a straight line.

It doesn't bother me too much, I don't floor it normally...(just testing the car) but just wondering if this is normal or not?

Look forward to some feedback. Thanks in advance :)

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:10 am
by scruffy_
Budget summer tyres, autumnal weather and greasy roads, heavy right foot... who knew? :D

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:02 pm
by jonstrauss
OK OK that might have sounded like a daft question...but if it was as simple as that, i'd not have posted the question ;)

The road is dry (and warm, i'm not in the UK). It just feels weird, and was wondering if that was a characteristic of the Scirocco under too much power (if anyone experiences the same, then there's my answer and i'm 'happy'). The wheels are not spinning, the front kind of swerves left and right. Is that lack of traction or something fundamentally wrong, i.e. bent car? Will a set of decent tyres stop this swerving? I'm not a car boff, i've had sensible diesels all my life, and just got my first decent car and learning about it. Cheers.

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:55 pm
by DJC013
Not trying to sound funny but, I think that a branded tyre like Michelin PS4 will help, never heard of that brand of tyre !!

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:26 pm
by jonstrauss
Yeah me neither, but the sidewall shows 'made in china' :( Googled them and very mixed reviews...I think the positive reviews = 'wow they're so cheap!', and the negatives from people who know how good tyres should behave.

Probably is them, will get another set soon enough.
Thanks for the recommendation, I've seen them being recommend on here so will likely give them a whirl. Ta..

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:51 pm
by Cuprabob
Michelin PS4S are the tyres to go for.

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:03 pm
by jonstrauss
Cool thanks a lot. Appreciated.

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:28 pm
by DJC013
Hello, did new tyres help at all ?? :yes:

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:53 pm
by jonstrauss
Sorry just seen this. Went to winter tyres and even under freezing conditions, seems to have solved it. Crappy budget tyres it was....

Re: Loss of front traction under boost on a straight line

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:19 am
by DJC013
No problem at all, glad the tyres sorted it out !! :yes: