Fabia VRS seems to be "skipping" on load...

[Tyson1980]

Seems i might be losing front traction in this cold weather.

I just cant seem to put the power to the ground? Most likely the tyres need changing...

Anyone else suffer similar problems this time of the year?

[kambites]

You know the throttle is an analogue device?

[FreeLitres]

My RWD beast can be a bit tail happy in this weather.

The Tiv is a bit tricky too.

[jimbobsimmonds]

Running 300bhp through the fronts... On whatever pieces of crap rubber I had on from before I bought it it was tricky in the dry and in the wet and cold was pretty bloody dangerous... 4 Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas all round and its sticking its power down rather well, even in the cold... New tyres and moderate the right foot a bit... Simples...

[mnkiboy]

FreeLitres said:

My RWD beast can be a bit tail happy in this weather.

The Tiv is a bit tricky too.

Pft! You should try driving a Skoda Fabia. You'd probably die in this weather.

[Tyson1980]

mnkiboy said:

Pft! You should try driving a Skoda Fabia. You'd probably die in this weather.

Hmmm....dont tempt fate

The VRS was very capable lastyear in the snow. Which is why the RWD carriage is asleep in the garage.

Fingers crossed!

[DanielJames]

Hasn't been remapped has it? Does it feel like a clutch issue?

[RobCrezz]

Wow these Fabias must be real power houses, or you just need a little throttle control.

[Tyson1980]

DanielJames said:

Hasn't been remapped has it? Does it feel like a clutch issue?

Its been remapped, but the tyres have been on probably around 25k on the fronts. I think they probably need warming up to get better grip as it usually happens first thing in the morning

[Tyson1980]

RobCrezz said:

Wow these Fabias must be real power houses, or you just need a little throttle control.

I've got up to 200mph in mine

[RobCrezz]

Tyson1980 said:

RobCrezz said:

Wow these Fabias must be real power houses, or you just need a little throttle control.

I've got up to 200mph in mine

[LukeSi]

Tyson1980 said:

Its been remapped, but the tyres have been on probably around 25k on the fronts. I think they probably need warming up to get better grip as it usually happens first thing in the morning

25k on the tyres!?

What are they bloody linglong ditchfinders?

Get them changed for some new and decent rubber asap.

[nottyash]

LukeSi said:

Tyson1980 said:

Its been remapped, but the tyres have been on probably around 25k on the fronts. I think they probably need warming up to get better grip as it usually happens first thing in the morning

25k on the tyres!?

What are they bloody linglong ditchfinders?

Get them changed for some new and decent rubber asap.

Remapped fabias as good as they are have one MAJOR drawback. Performance in slippy conditions, they are utter ste.
I had Conti's on mine and managed 13000 miles between fronts.

[Sam_68]

LukeSi said:

25k on the tyres!?

What are they bloody linglong ditchfinders?

Get them changed for some new and decent rubber asap.

I've only just changed the front tyres on mine (new generation, petrol) at over 25K miles, and then only because I picked up a nail in one and persuaded the tyre company to declare that they were both worn to legal limits (leased company car, so the leasing company picks up the tab). That was on OE spec Contis.

I'm not noted for being kind to tyres, either - I normally get through them about every 10-12K miles, so I'm reckoning that the Fabia must be unusually light on them for some reason.

On the other hand, I haven't noticed an unusual propensity to spin its wheels. Even in last year's snow, it seemed to have a lot more traction than the Octavia VRS it replaced.

[havoc]

Tyson1980 said:

DanielJames said:

Hasn't been remapped has it? Does it feel like a clutch issue?

Its been remapped, but the tyres have been on probably around 25k on the fronts. I think they probably need warming up to get better grip as it usually happens first thing in the morning

Over-stiff front ARB*, lack of diff, very-quick ramp-up in delivered torque (i.e. making it difficult to meter the power out as you wind off lock). Not the best combination for on-throttle cornering in cold weather...

Two suggestions:-
1 - change tyres - if they're ~3mm and you plan to use the car through-winter, don't chance it, not for saving ~£10 a corner by waiting.
2 - adapt driving style - three options:-
- a little bit of trail-braking, get the front-end properly biting
- change cornering style, late-apex them so you've got a straighter exit, give the fronts less work to do when you do apply power
- ease off the right foot until you're nearly straight (yes, I know that's the boring one... )

I'd change tyres and then experiment. But there HAS been a real drop in grip on the roads over the last week or so, esp. the icy mornings. So it's probably not something specific to the car, just a case of "winter's here, time to back off a little bit", sorry-to-say.


* 07 Leon FR we test-drove before getting the Golf for Becs would 'skip' in the dry around roundabouts. Curiously the Golf (same platform and powertrain) didn't have any such problem. Main noticeable difference was a very-stiff front-end in the FR.

[vrsmxtb]

Probably because it has more torque than a Boxster.

[havoc]

:cough: Gearing :cough:

Or :cough: twit :cough:

[TonyTony]

Is this the 7 speed DSG VRS you have?

I'v got the Ibiza FR with the same box and I have noticed a hell of alot of wheelspin under not very hard acceleration as well! :S

I have had wheelspin in wet and dry under a bit too harsh acceleration on my part setting off, but on the way home from work tonight it was flashing the light at me and spinning in 3rd and 4rd under not so hard acceleration.

[HBFS]

I have the mk2 Fabia vRS also.
Just had winter tyres fitted and it does wheelspin occasionaly, but only when its very very damp and I'm setting off from standstill.

There are a few more occasions, but they are uterly provoked :P

[nottyash]

vrsmxtb said:

Probably because it has more torque than a Boxster.

Your right, but a Boxster can do 164MPH and 0-60 in 5.6 seconds