62,000 KM (38,400 MI) left on my Craptenza's and I am noticing very squirelly handling at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle from a stop. The tires have still got good tread on them, pressures are 34F 32R. Just replaced the air filter (very dirty) and the cooler weather here has combined to increase the power of my engine by about 10-15% so the squirelly handling has become more noticeable. Please tell me that it's the Craptenza's and not the front end design that is causing this!? Also am noticing an increasing tendency for the tires to want to follow the road crowns, grooves, dips, humps etc, this IS most likely the Craptenza's. Appreciate any comments, thanks.

Dannodotcom

 

You have a front wheel drive vehicle, end of story.

Rear wheel drive cars do their share of sliding as well.

All wheel drive is about as stable as it gets.

 

Sorry to say, most of the problem is the car, fwd, budget design and a geometry originally intended for 14 - 15" tires. The lower profile of the 17s makes the torque steer worse. Different tires can help some, an fstb will also help some, but it will never completely go away. Audi invented Quattro because they felt that 200hp was the limit for even the best fwd design.

 

34psi fronts... I had 36psi on my almost-bald Potenzas and they handled very very poorly, knocked it down to 30psi and they handle MUCH better... if you could say that (need new tires desperately though, I can break 'em loose easily in 1st gear, and in 2nd in the rain)

 

Also if you haven't got it lately--AFTER changing the tire pressures, have a 4-wheel alignment done.

 

Colder weather will cause an already worn and not very good tire to show it's age. Thats why your losing traction so easily right now.

Replace your tires and your traction will come back. The more agressive your tires are, the more your car will follow the crown.

 

the cooler weather makes the road less sticky - i have traction problems with my car on cold mornings too. Did last year when i had like 6,000 miles on it too. Just lots of torque to be goin thru a FWD system.

 

As mentioned earlier, knock down that front psi. I am religious about running 32 psi all around, and even then I noticed the front tires are wearing down the center slightly more than the edges. 31 would probably be great for the fronts.

 

With 38k+ on the tires, it could be time to invest in some new tires, anyway - why push it with bad weather right around the corner. I've got 22k+ on mine and they are going to be replaced pretty soon. I agree about what's been said about FWD. FWD and bad tires = not good. IMO