How to make a Mondeo understeer less?
Discussion
My company charriot is a new shape Mondeo 2.0 TDCI. Whilst it is fun to drive most of the time, it does suffer quite bad understeer when pushing on at small roundabouts etc.
Are there any simple changes that can be made to help with this? It had the front tyres replaced with the standard spec items a few months back and that made no difference. I'm sure I could wear them out again though if changing the tyres is going to be the only way to resolve the issue
Are there any simple changes that can be made to help with this? It had the front tyres replaced with the standard spec items a few months back and that made no difference. I'm sure I could wear them out again though if changing the tyres is going to be the only way to resolve the issue
You could always approach a little slower? 
My Mk3 spins the inside wheel a bit more since we've had the colder weather, part of it I put down to having relatively high set off revs for a diesel (which I attribute to DMF and clutch setup) otherwise it can stall fairly easily
And it nosedives a bit on braking, which considering the weight of it, if it's a Mk3 you might be asking a bit too much of the tyres. They're not the widest ones in standard steel rims, alloys are a bit wider IIRC
My Mk3 spins the inside wheel a bit more since we've had the colder weather, part of it I put down to having relatively high set off revs for a diesel (which I attribute to DMF and clutch setup) otherwise it can stall fairly easily
And it nosedives a bit on braking, which considering the weight of it, if it's a Mk3 you might be asking a bit too much of the tyres. They're not the widest ones in standard steel rims, alloys are a bit wider IIRC
If it's a company car then you have a choice of only two options. Assuming nothing is bent or broken underneath, firstly get the front tyres checked as they are obviously the largest contributor in good road holding. Secondly try to modify your driving style to be much less aggressive with control inputs and read up on trail braking. The amount that simple changes here can influence grip is amazing. These cars should handle pretty nicely if they're in good order.
HTH?
dumbfunk
ETA: Sorry, I just read you'd already changed tyres - what brand do you have now?
HTH?
dumbfunk
ETA: Sorry, I just read you'd already changed tyres - what brand do you have now?
Edited by dumbfunk on Tuesday 9th December 17:56
If you were handy with the spanners you could perhaps investigate if any other models in the range have a stiffer rear anti-roll bar (ST maybe?). Buy one cheap from a breakers, possibly/probably/maybe simple to fit. I don't know how complicated the rear suspension is on a mondeo. Might be a complete disaster but you could always swap it back.
Well, bigger wheels+tyres would increase the gearing, effectively reduce the power to the wheels. So yes, that would reduce understeer, but possibly not in the way you wanted. There is this myth that using lower and lower profile tyres increases grip. It may do on a smooth track (but look at the profile ratio of racing car tyres) but on a real road surface you need the tyre to deform and follow the shape of the road surface in order to create adhesion. Without that, it will tend just to skip across the surface. The same applies to high rate springs. Making your car look good isn't the same as making it go faster.
However, suspension bushes do degrade over time, and it may be that refreshing the anti-roll bar bushes at least would tighten up body control. Ideally put uprated items in. The cabin will be slightly noisier but you will retain the manufacturer's geometry. Unless you get some much lighter wheels, I don't think there is an awful lot that can be done without replacing the engine with something lighter. Have you tried higher / lower tyre pressures?
However, suspension bushes do degrade over time, and it may be that refreshing the anti-roll bar bushes at least would tighten up body control. Ideally put uprated items in. The cabin will be slightly noisier but you will retain the manufacturer's geometry. Unless you get some much lighter wheels, I don't think there is an awful lot that can be done without replacing the engine with something lighter. Have you tried higher / lower tyre pressures?
Go into the roundabout too fast and on the brakes and get the arse end light and sliding, then back on the throttle for some understeering sideways action! There's some vids on YouTube of an ST220 going round a track sideways 
But seriously, with it being a company car and so limiting options, as previously mentioned a stiffer rear anti-roll bar will help, also better anti-roll bar bushes to prevent excessive movement before the roll bar does it's job. It's a front engined front drive car so it will always have a tendency to oversteer, especially in the wet.
But seriously, with it being a company car and so limiting options, as previously mentioned a stiffer rear anti-roll bar will help, also better anti-roll bar bushes to prevent excessive movement before the roll bar does it's job. It's a front engined front drive car so it will always have a tendency to oversteer, especially in the wet.
What tyres are on it?
Anything "eco" and / or with a higher treadwear rating will lack grip.
What tyre pressures are you running?
Increasing the front tyre pressures up to a point increases grip but go beyond that point and it deteriorates again. It's really a matter of testing to find the optimal pressures.
Anything "eco" and / or with a higher treadwear rating will lack grip.
What tyre pressures are you running?
Increasing the front tyre pressures up to a point increases grip but go beyond that point and it deteriorates again. It's really a matter of testing to find the optimal pressures.
. Just careful on how you describe the accident on the insurance claim forms.Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff