Hi guys!

 

We've been enjoying our new FL TSI vRS with DSG box with my wife for the past two weeks, having just crossed the 1000 mile mark and we love the car so far. It's pretty darn quick and handles well, but today the weather collapsed and roads got wet. This unearthed a surprising to me behaviour and I definitely don't like it, but I'm not sure if everyone is having that too?

 

When you floor it on the wet from standstill (okay, you don't have to floor it - but then it's obvious on each try) it's quite normal the torque on the vRS would cause the wheel spin. The ASR kicks in, but instead of gradually limiting power to the wheels to counter the spin, it's very abrupt - the power is basically disengaged with an audible "bang" like you would hear by releasin the clutch abruptly with a manual. Then it spins again, and bang again, until it gains enough traction to propel the car forward. It's displeasing, it's abrupt, but most of all - I'm afraid it's not healthy to the DSG box at all!

 

I'm coming from a RWD Beemer which had ASR too, but the power to the wheels was gradually lifted off in such cases, so the car - while not exactly rushing forward - was avoiding wheel spin in a very gentle manner and I didn't even notice that often.

 

Is it something which I should be concerned about? Does it get better down the road, or should I consider disabling ASR and/or being very gentle with the throttle not to cause those "bangy" ASR bursts? I can cope with wheel spin myself - I'd much rather feel that wheels are losing traction and lift the throttle myself than be shocked by the ASR which is trying to be smartass.

 

 

Thanks!

So what tyres are fitted, and what pressures are they at, and could that be an issue.

How many miles have the new tyres done now?

EDIT, 

I see now you have crossed the 1,000 mile mark, so not newness of the tyres.

Edited 24 September, 20178 yr by Headinawayoffski

Tires are some Bridgestone Potenza, I don't remember the exact symbol right now - they came with the car.  There is a possibility they are still not fully broken in as most of the mileage was a straight highway with little cornering, but I doubt it's of much relevance.

 

It's not the wheel spin and slipping that surprises me - there's lots of torque on the front axle and that's to be expected - but how abruptly the ASR cuts power when it deems necessary, presumably putting strain on the gearbox and the clutch. With ASR disabled when I feel the wheels are losing traction I can back off the throttle a bit, regain grip and go forward without losing the power totally for a second and abrupt re-engagement.

Yeah its "Normal" at least for Skodas, there are a few threads about it - I think its called Wheel Hop.

 

First time my did I nearly soiled myself as I thought the front axel had taken off on its own - seems to be worse in the rain.

 

I have learnt to be more gentle on the go pedal!

 

Wow! Now when I know how it's called I've read all threads about it. That's nasty, we'll have to learn to live with it and adjust the driving style to avoid it.

 

Thanks!

 

Wife says she wants RWD back for the next car though and I can't blame her for thinking that

It is a wheelspin / lack of traction / lack of grip situation causing a 'Cars electronic sticking its banging noise diff into the situation'. 

 

Which is why the tyres are usually the first place to visit, especially if with Traction Control off it is spinning wheels when better  tyres might not spin, 

and just grip and go.

?

So have you set the tyre pressures since collecting the car?

Edited 24 September, 20178 yr by Headinawayoffski

I must check the TC off thing again. We only did notice the wheel hop (as it seems that's the case after all) today when it rained. On dry tarmac even floored from standstill it just blasts forward. Maybe it was just a coincidence that with TC off it didn't "bang"/"wheel hop" on me.

 

I'll check the tyre pressures tomorrow - I've adjusted the pressure according to the spec some 300 miles ago before I tapped "SET" on the TPMS learning how to use it, but haven't checked since.

 

Thanks!

TC off should have no brake nipping or engine power cutting as you spin your tyres to your hearts delight.

 

 

Wheel hop can be reduced significantly by replacing the pendulum mount ( usually known as the dogbone mount). CTS Turbo, 034 Motorsport, HPA etc make them and they’re quite cheap. Be aware that they can introduce some extra vibration at idle, but it’s said to be quite minor. 

Unfortunately the car is leased and the leasing company explicitly disallows any modifications until it ends, so I have little to do but to learn to avoid it and live with it. 

Edited 24 September, 20178 yr by Mati

Worth trying a full "off" of the TCR and ESC - hold the button down for 5-6 seconds or so. until it says "TCR Off" and "ESC Sport mode" I have found this seems to allow for the most spirited take off/driving and the least amount of interference from the car!

 

You will still get some "wheel-hop" or "axel-tramp" at times, depending on surface type and grip levels though - it is a characteristic of the car (and many other torque-y FWD cars)

Axle tramp is not the same as ASR cutting power, it's simply the suspension being wound up slightly by the torque, a bit like a clock spring which eventually gives, and normally exhibits itself as a series of irritating thumping hops. It's best avoided by good suspension design, but a macpherson strut with a couple of radial links isn't particularly elegant. 

Edited 24 September, 20178 yr by stever750

Can you explain more how it works, why we get bangs? I mean more detailed info, if you already found such...

 

I was afraid to look even, the first time it happened. Then I've learned what those bangs are about. Sounded like I passed through a big hole while with pedal to the metal and it even tried to grab for traction within the hole. 

 

Very unpleasant reaction from the ASR :(

It is not 'Axle tramp',  it is just like 'Axle Tramp' simply switching off 'VW's Keep you safe functions can mean it is no longer an issue,

and with VW's EDL / Electronic Differential Lock / XDS or XDS+ you just reduce the settings and you can get rid of it, 

& without having to always Switch TC off, or having to be change the suspension or the engine mounts of the likes.

it is only 230ps or so being put through not very good tyres onto a wet road.

Beauty of the more modern Skoda / VW vehicles is that the drivers can change things without needing to plug into the OBDII Port.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/227295-who-needs-a-lsd 

That is from when you needed to plug in to change from factory settings.

 

The XDS or XDS+ is about cornering supposedly, giving drive to the wheel with drive, but can be intrusive when in a straight line as well.

 

Even Nissans with a fool prove launch control can get themselves messing it up when there is wheel hop, 

too much traction, or not enough traction or is it, all the gear and no idea? 

 

Simple XDS with TC off and 185ps or so vs technology.  

The likes of the Silver Fabia estates system can bang like it is going to break the gearbox or drive shafts if you let it happen, 

and that is just by leaving TC on and booting it in the wet at traffic lights and tyres spinning and then getting traction.

 

Edited 25 September, 20178 yr by Headinawayoffski

I think I understood most of that George... 

MK7 Golf estate with 140PS (cough) & 250Nm with 225/45R17 Michelins does it in the wet....

 

Plenty of the foot down brigade in the GTI forum sections have the same problem & in the dry.....

 

I prefer to be gentle & feed the power in...but still had it happen to me a couple of times...

 

will sort it when I get around to swapping the suspension & front hub carriers to the 55mm alloy ones...& fit some bilstiens & better superpro bushes like I did on my Fabia..