Mk2 Leon Fr Traction

[Josemartinez]

Hi

I've recently bought a Mk2 Leon FR 2.0 TSI and have noticed that when I put my foot down out of a junction I get wheelspin in 2nd and 3rd, even in the dry.

Is this something other owners have noticed? I'm wondering if it's just the way the car is or the tyres.

It's got Michelin Cross Climate tyres on, which aren't ideal but its not like they are £40 chinese tyres. I'll probably out some PS4's on it, hopefully that will solve it.

[thebraketester]

Are you just stamping on the accelerator?

[Josemartinez]

Not really. The junction near my office is straight onto a dual carriageway with no slip road, so you have to put your foot down but I'd say half throttle. I had a JCW with similar power and didn't have the same issue.

[the-norseman]

MK2 chassis is known for lack of traction, an Australian company called Whiteline make an anti lift kit (WALK) for the MK2 Leon/MK5 Golf chassis.

I owned 2 MK2

2008 Leon FR TDI (170PS) tuned to about 230
2010 Leon Cupra R (265PS) tuned to about 370


I had the WALK kit on both with Michelin SuperSport.

It could also be that your car is tuned!

[Belle427]

Try the tyres first as its easier, there are a few things you could do to improve it but its all £££.

[SteBrown91]

The PQ35 chassis was never good at putting its power down.

Also if they are in OG cross climates they are old and not actually that good. It’s possible the tyres are ancient and need replacing.

[Hoofy]

I had a 208bhp one a few years ago and experienced similar so adjusted how I drove because it wasn't an issue if I drove appropriately for the setup. I get it in the TT especially in the wet and it's only got 180bhp so I just feather the throttle a bit to minimise spin. One thing is to check the age and condition of the tyres.

[Josemartinez]

Ah thank you that's useful. I wondered if it was just the car design or the tyres.

I'll change the tyres first, and see how I get on. I'm not sure how old they are.

Could be tuned, I hope so. I have limited history of the car, i noticed the aftermarket exhaust on it the other week so maybe.

[the-norseman]

Chances are its tuned then if its got an aftermarket exhaust as remap is cheap mod to do. The WALK kit did make a big difference depends how long your planning on keeping it.

[Josemartinez]

Hm I'll have a look at the walk kit.

I checked today and the tyres are 5 years old so that may not be helping. They will be getting changed at some point

[Hoofy]

Josemartinez said:

Hm I'll have a look at the walk kit.

I checked today and the tyres are 5 years old so that may not be helping. They will be getting changed at some point

Research the best tyres for your style of driving and the sorts of conditions you drive in. Bear in mind that more grip generally means softer compound which means quicker wear which means you are buying more tyres more often if you do a lot of miles.

[the-norseman]

Michelin Supersport were great on my 2 MK2s. Ran a few track days on them etc.

[Josemartinez]

the-norseman said:

Chances are its tuned then if its got an aftermarket exhaust as remap is cheap mod to do. The WALK kit did make a big difference depends how long your planning on keeping it.

You were right, it's currently in the garage due a misfire they are recommending new spark plugs and coil packs and the first thing they said when they called was do you know it's been remapped.

[thebraketester]

Even if it is remapped it shouldn’t spin the wheels in 3rd in the dry or 2nd for that matter.

[Josemartinez]

thebraketester said:

Even if it is remapped it shouldn t spin the wheels in 3rd in the dry or 2nd for that matter.

Probably the 5 year old Michelin Cross Climate tyres. After spending £300 on coil packs and spark plugs they will have to stay on for a while. I really need to be better with a spanner, I'm sure i could do that myself.

My wife says they have gone as I in her words "razz it"

[thebraketester]

Yeah, spark plugs and coil packs is a 30 minute job if you have the right tools

[the-norseman]

Plugs and Coilpacks is easy, 4 bolts hold the coilpacks on, then you need a spark plug socket and ratchet.

If your not sure.. there is loads of youtube videos on doing it.