How to avoid front wheel spin

[osman]

I have had the Polo GTI for a week now and if I my press the accelerator half way during takeoff I get wheel spin on the front two tyres. Traction control is on and tyres are new.

Any ideas on getting a quick takeoff without wheel spin?

thanks

[alexaescht]

How to avoid front wheel spin

I think it's mostly due to high torque and not much weight over the front wheels (especially when accelerating because the weight is pushed further back)

Interestingly, the Megane does it as well, even though it only has 198nm of torque and it's naturally aspirated.

[Sirocco20348]

What brand tyres did you buy?

[osman]

The stock Dunlops which come with it

[wai]

Ok, don't press the accelerator pedal half way down

I know that sounds like stating the bleeding obvious, but it's true. A mother once told her doctor that the navel of her newborn would weep a little blood every time it cried. The answer from the doctor was "Don't let the baby cry".

If the wheels break traction, then you are not making a "quick take off". The coefficient of sliding friction is a lot less than the coefficient of static friction, so while the wheels are spinning (sliding), there is less force being applied to the road surface that can be used to propel the vehicle forward. Once you are moving, you can apply more accelerator. The force required to actually get the vehicle moving is a lot greater than many realise.

[pologti18t]

Ok, don't press the accelerator pedal half way down

I thought it was obvious.

Though I expect most taxi drivers use that technique....

[osman]

I used to drive a Toyota Camry. I used to absolutely floor it but no wheel spin.

[osman]

How am I supposed to get a quick take off if I only press the accelerator down partly?

[LunchboxVRS]

How am I supposed to get a quick take off if I only press the accelerator down partly?

Practice. You need to get it in motion before you can floor it. Or by wider rims and get better quality tires.

[osman]

ok will take the advice on board. What tyres would you suggest? Currently running the stock Dunlop's


Bridgestone Potenza ? is it an option?

[pologti18t]

ok will take the advice on board. What tyres would you suggest? Currently running the stock Dunlop's
Bridgestone Potenza ? is it an option?

It will make little or no difference.
You just need to use less throttle to start off and then feed more throttle in as your are moving. Like any auto, sudden large changes in throttle confuse the heck out of them.

[Diesel_vert]

I have had the Polo GTI for a week now and if I my press the accelerator half way during takeoff I get wheel spin on the front two tyres. Traction control is on and tyres are new.

Any ideas on getting a quick takeoff without wheel spin?

thanks

How to break in your tyres: Tire Tech Information - Breaking In Your Tires

This advice also applies to brand new cars with less than 500 km to 1000 km.


Contrary to popular belief, a vehicle's stability or traction control system, although very effective in assisting the driver, does not make the vehicle immune to the laws of physics, so you can only rely on it up to a certain point, as it can only do so much. Vehicle control (or loss thereof - accidental or otherwise) is ultimately the responsibility of the driver.

I used to drive a Toyota Camry. I used to absolutely floor it but no wheel spin.

How am I supposed to get a quick take off if I only press the accelerator down partly?

Anyone can simply mash the throttle and spin up the tyres, if the vehicle is capable of doing so.

The Polo GTI is such a vehicle, and is hardly unique in this aspect.

As with any performance car, you need to readjust or learn how to regulate the throttle input in a more precise manner.

Have fun.

ok will take the advice on board. What tyres would you suggest? Currently running the stock Dunlop's

Bridgestone Potenza ? is it an option?

It would be better to re-evaluate the tyres after they've covered some distance, as per Tire Rack's advice.

[osman]

interesting read this mate

[wai]

Practice. You need to get it in motion before you can floor it. Or by wider rims and get better quality tires.

Actually wider tyres will not help unless the rubber compound has a higher coefficient of friction.

You can have two tyres on each end of the same axle where one is wide and the other narrow. As long as they both have the same rubber compound, you will find that both will provide the same resistance to slipping. Why racing tyres are wider is because they are made of a softer (partially cured) rubber compound, and the width is to reduce the amount of wear. This is all what F1 is on about now.

The equation of friction is F = uN where F is the force that can be generated between the two surfaces, u is a non-dimensional coefficient of friction, and N is the force normal to the friction surfaces. The trick is to keep the force to a level so that the torque from the engine does not exceed the friction between the tyre and road surface.

Some cars will not break traction because for various reasons the force generated is always less than the friction force.

You can get "better quality" tyres, however to get a higher coefficient of friction, the compound will generally wear more easily and so have a shorter service life.

Everything is a trade off. That is why I suggested not pressing the accelerator as far. Just as you have a bite point with a clutch, you also have a bite point with the tyres as well. You need to feel for that and you are then getting the maximum accelerating force you can.

[Nuggos]

Actually wider tyres will not help unless the rubber compound has a higher coefficient of friction.

You can have two tyres on each end of the same axle where one is wide and the other narrow. As long as they both have the same rubber compound, you will find that both will provide the same resistance to slipping. Why racing tyres are wider is because they are made of a softer (partially cured) rubber compound, and the width is to reduce the amount of wear. This is all what F1 is on about now.

The equation of friction is F = uN where F is the force that can be generated between the two surfaces, u is a non-dimensional coefficient of friction, and N is the force normal to the friction surfaces. The trick is to keep the force to a level so that the torque from the engine does not exceed the friction between the tyre and road surface.

Some cars will not break traction because for various reasons the force generated is always less than the friction force.

You can get "better quality" tyres, however to get a higher coefficient of friction, the compound will generally wear more easily and so have a shorter service life.

Everything is a trade off. That is why I suggested not pressing the accelerator as far. Just as you have a bite point with a clutch, you also have a bite point with the tyres as well. You need to feel for that and you are then getting the maximum accelerating force you can.

God i hate physics at uni currently, but it has so many good uses!
Nice explanation wai, clearer than most 90 year old lecturers lol