My Monte Carlo is pulling to the left HELP!

[Carlodiesel]

Well its been a month now since having the car corrected.

After all the problems the result was a new set of tyres.

Skoda agreed the Dunlop's had been giving some grief.

4 New tyres fitted and all is well.

Thanks again go to Barnstaple Skoda.

If any one else has this constant Pull to the left contact your Skoda dealer & ask them to contact Skoda re the tyres.

CD

[multiskoda]

There are some inescapable truths that people should be aware of:

• Our roads generally have a camber that leans to the left. A car prone to tramlining will follow this camber.
  
• wide wheels on a small/light car will lead to tramlining.
  
• winter wheels on the same car will make the problem go away - less surface area, less impact.
  
• VERY FEW COMPANIES, including most of the so-called specialist wheel alignment places have a clue about the impact of the geometry settings they're messing with. That's because they don't employ people with degrees in physics to do the alignment on your car (funny that). They look at whether the numbers go red or green, but don't have the foggiest what it all means. The upshot is that you can get your car re-aligned 5 different times, and each time it will feel different, but not better.
  
• Tyres approaching 4mm left on the wear marker will start to tramline in a much more pronounced fashion than new tyres. So, changing tyres can give the impression you've cured some problem, when in fact you're just resetting it.
  
• Over the course of a few thousand miles, with our potholed roads and a few mechanics working on your car, it's easy for the alignment to move out of whack by a tiny amount - but that's enough to exacerbate an existing tramlining issue.
  

The *only* success I've had in dealing with such issues (on a number of cars) has been to visit a company called Wheels-in-motion in Chesham (I think they have franchises elsewhere too, though I can't vouch for them) who actually understand what they're doing. Wheel alignment there is done professionally and by someone who understands what they're messing with.

Wheel alignment is something to be taken extremely seriously. As an example, I had two front wishbones replaced on an Octavia a few years ago. When I got it back from the dealers it had dangerous amounts of oversteer. They claimed to have done the alignment, but they hadn't. I gave it back to them twice to adjust, and each time it came back worse than the last. In the end, it went to wheels-in-motion, who solved the problem.

The point is that unless you understand how your car *should* handle, you could end up getting your car back and being none the wiser as to how dangerous it could be in an emergency situation.

[DanMonteCarlo]

Hmm my monte has never had a problem with pulling to one side even after 10k anyone who has this issue should definitely get it checked

[multiskoda]

Hmm my monte has never had a problem with pulling to one side even after 10k anyone who has this issue should definitely get it checked

If you take your hands off the steering wheel, it will follow the camber of the road and pull to the left. The difference between a car "pulling" to the left, and following the camber of the road is subtle, and as I've mentioned above, is exacerbated by all sorts of things.

Some people interpret this gentle tug as something that's wrong, when it isn't. Sometimes it *is* wrong, and needs adjusting.

The only way to find out is to visit a specialist alignment place who know their stuff. You can change tyres a million times, but I don't see how that can have any bearing on anything other than reducing the effect of any existing behaviour. You aren't changing the geometry by changing tyres, so it's a placebo, or as I mentioned acts to mask the problem by increasing tread depth.

[Ootohere]

This is one way the tyres effect things and is missed by Technicians, Tyre Fitters etc that should know about such things.

Changing the tyres and getting things correctly fitted can very much correct the car without adjustment to alignment.

Especially if the Alignment is already correct.

http://www.wheels-in...p?showtopic=165

[skoda1982]

Mine has been back twice last week front tracking and yesterday full wheel alinment still pulling to the left steering wheel is about 5 deg down to the right if i put it

in a straight line i turn left have to keep presure on the wheel to the right. Do i go to the dealers again or just phone suk

[Carlodiesel]

Quote "The only way to find out is to visit a specialist alignment place who know their stuff. You can change tyres a million times, but I don't see how that can have any bearing on anything other than reducing the effect of any existing behaviour. You aren't changing the geometry by changing tyres, so it's a placebo, or as I mentioned acts to mask the problem by increasing tread depth."

Have to disagree here in part louisv6 ( so it's a placebo), The wheel alignment at first was only marginal, they adjusted to "spot on". No diff. (laser 4 wheel alignment)

Fitting 4 new tyres as Skoda said (different make) cured the prob. And I do mean cured.

Before it was a deff pull to the left, you could not take your hand off the wheel.

Skoda says they have had trouble with Dunlop tyres.

That's it that's the info I got. Make of it like what you like but it has cured the prob.

skoda1982 Yes mate go back to dealer. You could mention that Skoda recommend different tyres. (for what its worth).

CD

[DanMonteCarlo]

@louisv6 genuinely even under throttle the wheel stays central (:

[The Plumber]

Mine has been back twice last week front tracking and yesterday full wheel alinment still pulling to the left steering wheel is about 5 deg down to the right if i put it

in a straight line i turn left have to keep presure on the wheel to the right. Do i go to the dealers again or just phone suk

Very similar story with ours; new guy in service is now trying to convince me it's normal behaviour for UK Fabia's :S Problem for him though this is our fifth Fabia and the first to want to drive naturally in left hand circles

Admittedly non of these previous cars had the 'sport' chassis but our previous Elegance was on similar 205/45 R16 tyres and had the same engine etc.

Oh what tyres are you on from factory :wonder:

TP

[Ootohere]

I would put a bet on 'Dunlop' being less than pleased if someone in SKODA UK Customer Services is using their tyres as a excuse for how they sling tyres on cars and turn cars out of the factories or workshops that are not set up for safe driving on UK roads.

I WOULD GET SKODA UK TO PUT IN WRITING IF "THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING 'TROUBLE' WITH DUNLOP TYRES."

It should not be a lottery if the cars wants to find the ditch or not depending on if the road is slightly cambered or heavily cambered.

Many many thousands of cars behave totally correctly with kind of neutral handling.

At least we seldom hear of cars pulling to the right in this country and into the line of oncoming traffic.

*Once the car is set up properly, and driving correctly have the Dealership be sure the wheel is correctly centred, it might mean removing and putting the wheel on straight and not altering Alignment and car steering geometry.*

Car driving correctly, obviously needs the car run in with the springs settled and the newness off the tyres, pressures checked and set etc, and the driver giving the car a fair chance and being aware it might feel different from the car they just moved on from usually driving which may feel very different.

Technicians that are used to driving different cars should be able to roadtest a car and then 'Honestly' say if the car is driving & handling properly or not.

Then correct things if they are not right or safe.

Rather than panning off owners as they often seem to.

george

[skoda1982]

Very similar story with ours; new guy in service is now trying to convince me it's normal behaviour for UK Fabia's :S Problem for him though this is our fifth Fabia and the first to want to drive naturally in left hand circles

Admittedly non of these previous cars had the 'sport' chassis but our previous Elegance was on similar 205/45 R16 tyres and had the same engine etc.

Oh what tyres are you on from factory :wonder:

TP

Conti's sport contact 2

This is my 7/8 fabia since 2000 and the first one to pull to the left

[tonystop]

Same here, and I am on Contis as well. Not good enough

[Ootohere]

Request of Skoda UK if the Dealership can not deal properly with the issue,

if 'the TROUBLE they have with DUNLOPS, is also a CONTINENTAL TYRE problem,

or just actually a 'Tell the customer any old story problem'..

Then ask the Dealership if this can be an issue.?

Or just an 'Urban/Internet Myth'.

http://www.wheels-in...p?showtopic=165

george

[AVTUR]

Mines also got Conti Sport Contact 2 tyres and there are no issues at all with pulling left (or right)...........

....apart from a bit of torque steer under hard acceleration.

[pipsyp]

There are some inescapable truths that people should be aware of:

• Our roads generally have a camber that leans to the left. A car prone to tramlining will follow this camber.
  
• wide wheels on a small/light car will lead to tramlining.
  
• winter wheels on the same car will make the problem go away - less surface area, less impact.
  
• VERY FEW COMPANIES, including most of the so-called specialist wheel alignment places have a clue about the impact of the geometry settings they're messing with. That's because they don't employ people with degrees in physics to do the alignment on your car (funny that). They look at whether the numbers go red or green, but don't have the foggiest what it all means. The upshot is that you can get your car re-aligned 5 different times, and each time it will feel different, but not better.
  
• Tyres approaching 4mm left on the wear marker will start to tramline in a much more pronounced fashion than new tyres. So, changing tyres can give the impression you've cured some problem, when in fact you're just resetting it.
  
• Over the course of a few thousand miles, with our potholed roads and a few mechanics working on your car, it's easy for the alignment to move out of whack by a tiny amount - but that's enough to exacerbate an existing tramlining issue.
  

The *only* success I've had in dealing with such issues (on a number of cars) has been to visit a company called Wheels-in-motion in Chesham (I think they have franchises elsewhere too, though I can't vouch for them) who actually understand what they're doing. Wheel alignment there is done professionally and by someone who understands what they're messing with.

Wheel alignment is something to be taken extremely seriously. As an example, I had two front wishbones replaced on an Octavia a few years ago. When I got it back from the dealers it had dangerous amounts of oversteer. They claimed to have done the alignment, but they hadn't. I gave it back to them twice to adjust, and each time it came back worse than the last. In the end, it went to wheels-in-motion, who solved the problem.

The point is that unless you understand how your car *should* handle, you could end up getting your car back and being none the wiser as to how dangerous it could be in an emergency situation.

Couldnt agree more with the above Louisv6. Ive had several new VAG cars over the last few years and every single one of them has pulled slightly to the left (partly down to UK road camber and by design for safety) also they have more often than not had a steering wheel that sits slightly of dead ahead in most circumstances.

Went to the trouble on my first one of getting a wheel alignment done by VW; initially was completely borked by them, had to go back for a 2nd time for it to come back exactly as it was before.

Following this have just come to accept this is a VAG trait and just accepted its how it is. Interestingly my 5 month old Blackline does exactly the same thing.....until you drive it on an almoat dead flat true piece of road at which point it tracks straight and true and the wheel is more or less dead centred as it is on the middle lane of a motorway typically.

IMO most of the issue is down to the strong camber we have on our roads in the UK. However if were talking let go of the wheel and it sends you careering off centre then yes that isnt right!

[Ootohere]

PMSL.

Accepting that that is how the cars you drive is,

is very different from 'All VAG cars do that and it is OK.

They do not all do that in the UK and Owners do not have to accept it is how all cars bought should behave.

?? Are you saying the cars that do not run in towards the nearside are in the wrong and not as safe as ones that drive up the road without drivers always having to correct the steering input to carry on going straight.?

george

[AVTUR]

Ive had several new VAG cars over the last few years and every single one of them has pulled slightly to the left (partly down to UK road camber and by design for safety).

Following this have just come to accept this is a VAG trait and just accepted its how it is.

Totally disagree with those statements, where's the evidence that it's a VAG trait? I've had 17 VW's, 3 Seats' and 1 Skoda since 1978 and have honestly never experienced any 'pulling to the left', on any of them.

IMO most of the issue is down to the strong camber we have on our roads in the UK.

I'm not sure what roads you drive on, but I have rarely seen roads with 'strong camber' anywhere in 38 years of driving. Yes, of course there are the odd ones, but its certainly not the norm in my experience.

[OzFabia]

Any chance someone with a "straight" car can head down the same piece of road as one of the "pullers" ( )?

[Carlodiesel]

George, Correct.

If I was test driving a second hand car, & it did that, I would walk away from it.

Or, ask the owner to have the fault corrected & ring me back.

I would also do a braking test, as hold lightly onto wheel and apply brakes.

The car should brake & hold a straight line, not pull to one side.

CD

[AVTUR]

I would also do a braking test, as hold lightly onto wheel and apply brakes.

The car should brake & hold a straight line, not pull to one side.

CD

Surely that would depend on whether or not the road was 'strongly cambered'.

[Ootohere]

Or if your partner is a rather heavy person, your rear seat passengers are sitting behind that heefer or the driver.etc etc.

Not being serious there,

but the cars are or should be perfectly drivable when in Mainland Europe on the 'Wrong Side of the road.

Should behave well loaded or just with a driver.

(Maybe driving in Norfolk can be awkward since they seem to get cambers all back to front, and cars corner weirdly there IME)

george

[The Plumber]

Any chance someone with a "straight" car can head down the same piece of road as one of the "pullers" ( )?

We currently have two Fabia II's in the household and can confirm they behave differently on the same section of road; Monte tries to turn left the other one is fairly neutral in following the line of the road. However our other Fabia is a base model pre FL on the 15" wheels, so it could be argued not quite a fair comparison :wonder:

TP

[pipsyp]

Yawn.....

FFS, I basically said if your car pulls slightly to the left during normal driving on UK roads bearing in mind roads are cambered I consider this pretty normal and pretty much every car ive driven in the past 15 years old and new has done it to some degree, not just my VWs, Seat and Skodas. Let go of a cars steering wheel and the truest of cars will follow road camber, its not rocket science.

Driving a car and actively having to hold it in a straight line is a different thing entirely and i wouldnt suggest this to be normal behaviour or necessarily safe.

I will however suggest that some people are slightly obsessed about this sort of thing and reading about it makes me sleepy. To most I would suggest there is **** all wrong with your car and either live with it or take it somewhere to be 4 wheel aligned whereby the outcome is likely to be no better or worse.

George - your response didn't surprise me at all, how I laughed.

[Carlodiesel]

pipsyp

Yawn. "reading about it makes me sleepy"

Simple answer, Don't read it.

pipsyp, these are real problems real situations people have here, and not being mechanically minded they are looking for answers. Like me they are concerned about their cars & how they are reacting.

Like me many have spent a lot of money & want the car to be right. Only natural. What is Not natural is, Quote " if your car pulls slightly to the left during normal driving on UK roads bearing in mind roads are cambered I consider this pretty normal "

Putting their feelings & problems on this forum is one way they can get answerers that sometimes the Dealers are not giving, one way or other.

So if your bored, please do not read & move on.

Thanks

CD

Ps.

I just want to add. If your car pulls, veers to the left or right, it isn't right. Full stop. Never have I owned a car that does that. Especially from new. So to those who are concerned take it back.

Edited 29 June, 2013 by Carlo diesel

[pipsyp]

pipsyp

Yawn. "reading about it makes me sleepy"

Simple answer, Don't read it.

pipsyp, these are real problems real situations people have here, and not being mechanically minded they are looking for answers. Like me they are concerned about their cars & how they are reacting.

Like me many have spent a lot of money & want the car to be right. Only natural. What is Not natural is, Quote " if your car pulls slightly to the left during normal driving on UK roads bearing in mind roads are cambered I consider this pretty normal "

Putting their feelings & problems on this forum is one way they can get answerers that sometimes the Dealers are not giving, one way or other.

So if your bored, please do not read & move on.

Thanks

CD

Ps.

I just want to add. If your car pulls, veers to the left or right, it isn't right. Full stop. Never have I owned a car that does that. Especially from new. So to those who are concerned take it back.

Mate all I am going to say is that I have had a Seat, 2 Skodas and 5 VW's new and used over the past 6 years and they have all had a slight pull to the left and have been sensitive to road camber to some degree.

In fact ive not been in a car ever that wouldnt drift to the left slightly if you let go of the wheel; there is also no such thing as an entirely "true" vehicle; there will always be some degree of manufacturing tolerance that even 4 wheel lazer alignment cant cure.

I agree if there a massive pull or evidence there is something mechanically wrong with the car then fine no argument that aint right but IMO to say a car shouldnt steer to the left on a UK road at all to the smallest degree when you let go of the steering wheel in most instances is wrong.

You could spend years, lots of time and lots of money trying to make a car perfectly true but sadly I dont think you'll ever find it.