Author Topic: Traction Control question?  (Read 2258 times)

Offline MBCGTI

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 206
Traction Control question?
« on: 25 August 2014, 16:41 »
Okay so my Y reg 4mo is a great runner, 95k on the clock and it still pulls like a train and is solid.  I haven't really pushed it on the twisties until the other day coming off the M1 and a nice wide slip road going to the right and it was slightly damp so thought I would try it out.

I was a little shocked when the front nearside wheel was locking up and was really harsh.  It didn't feel right and was really intrusive and affecting the cornering on the car.  I didn't know whether it was just the way it was set up so tried a left hand bend and it was fine, not intrusive and the front wheel wasn't locking up at all.

I then looked through the history and noticed the previous owner had the offside ABS sensor changed and was wondering whether this might be the reason its so intrusive?  Any suggestions on what it could be?

Offline Rhyso

  • Global Moderator
  • Sir Postalot
  • *****
  • Posts: 26,720
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #1 on: 25 August 2014, 18:25 »
Have you got matching tyres all round??

Offline MBCGTI

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 206
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #2 on: 25 August 2014, 19:43 »
Fronts are both bridgestone and rears and firestone.

Offline Rhyso

  • Global Moderator
  • Sir Postalot
  • *****
  • Posts: 26,720
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #3 on: 25 August 2014, 19:50 »
Fronts are both bridgestone and rears and firestone.

I had a similar issue on my A3 (non Quattro) where i had F1's on the front and Uniroyals on the back. Id pitch the car into a right hand bend the front left would brake and dip the car quite violently. This would happen at speeds as low as 30mph!

When i replaced the fronts with Uniroyals the issue disappeared  :huh:

Being a 4 Mo you should ideally have matching tyres all round

Have you got a spare set or a mates you can borrow and swap them over?

Offline MBCGTI

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 206
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #4 on: 25 August 2014, 20:27 »
Unfortunately not although the fronts will need replacing at some point in the near future.  I can see your point but would have thought it would have been with left and right corners??

Offline Rhyso

  • Global Moderator
  • Sir Postalot
  • *****
  • Posts: 26,720
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #5 on: 25 August 2014, 21:26 »
Unfortunately not although the fronts will need replacing at some point in the near future.  I can see your point but would have thought it would have been with left and right corners??

Yeah it happened occassionally in left hand corners but at higher speeds which was rather unnerving when you least expected it!!  Didnt even need much lock on either......

Offline MBCGTI

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 206
Re: Traction Control question?
« Reply #6 on: 08 September 2014, 20:14 »
So I thought I would see whether there was any problem myself so took both front wheels off and realised the tyres were slightly lower than estimated, especially on the inside edge.

Made a decision to replace both fronts with Bridgestones, mainly to match the back but also got discount on ordering two.  Since Ive had them replaced I took the same corner at the same speed and not a hint of the intrusive traction control last time.

Cheers Rhyso, and to all asking a similar question, whether 2WD or 4WD, check the front tyres and get them replaced if needed.