Is it just me? I have tried everything - being very progressive with the power delivery, changing front tyres, short shifting the lot, but I cannot, or have ever been able to engage full throttle in second gear without severe front wheel tramp overcoming the traction control. I understand the poor road conditions at present, however even in the dry on o/e tyres in autumn it has been impossible in my car. Do not get me wrong, there is so much power third is great, but to me begs the question of gearing in the car against the peaky nature of the engine. First gear is possibly the shortest in the world!

Is it my car my driving style or just TDI life? (Party trick is if the passenger wants something out the glove box, engage full throttle in 2nd and the tramp will pop it open for you such is the severity of the problem - just do not even try now as it is lacking in mechanical sympathy would be an understatement.):tired:

Yes I agree, up to a point. The torque of the TDI overcoming grip can be a problem in second.

I find you can use full throttle but it has to be applied progressively, in a straight line and on a smooth/dry road. In reality though, 2/3rds or 3/4s throttle gives more than enough acceleration for most circumstances, so why bother giving it full wellie?

The grip level offered by your tyres will be a factor and this, I feel, can be sensitive to tyre pressure. What size wheels/tyres do you have and what pressures do you run them at?

Having experimented a bit I am currently running 2.3 bar front & rear (as opposed to 2.1bar) which does seem to give more bite (on 225/45 17s).

Yes I agree, up to a point. The torque of the TDI overcoming grip can be a problem in second.

I find you can use full throttle but it has to be applied progressively, in a straight line and on a smooth/dry road. In reality though, 2/3rds or 3/4s throttle gives more than enough acceleration for most circumstances, so why bother giving it full wellie?

The grip level offered by your tyres will be a factor and this, I feel, can be sensitive to tyre pressure. What size wheels/tyres do you have and what pressures do you run them at?

Having experimented a bit I am currently running 2.3 bar front & rear (as opposed to 2.1bar) which does seem to give more bite (on 225/45 17s).

??? How can running tyres at higher pressures (with a consequent reduction in contact patch) improve grip? Not saying it doesn't, just goes against logic...

??? How can running tyres at higher pressures (with a consequent reduction in contact patch) improve grip? Not saying it doesn't, just goes against logic...

I know it defies logic but all I can say is that it seems to work.

My thoughts on it; the standard 2.1bar is a smidgen too soft, the stiff sidewalls of the tyres take care of the outer part of the tyre pressing on the road properly but the centre relies more on tyre pressure, this is the bit that provides the major part of the 'contact patch'. Slightly higher pressure pushes this bit onto the road just that bit more. e.g. more grip.

Only real way to tell - put it to the test.

Yes I agree, up to a point. The torque of the TDI overcoming grip can be a problem in second.

I find you can use full throttle but it has to be applied progressively, in a straight line and on a smooth/dry road. In reality though, 2/3rds or 3/4s throttle gives more than enough acceleration for most circumstances, so why bother giving it full wellie?

The grip level offered by your tyres will be a factor and this, I feel, can be sensitive to tyre pressure. What size wheels/tyres do you have and what pressures do you run them at?

Having experimented a bit I am currently running 2.3 bar front & rear (as opposed to 2.1bar) which does seem to give more bite (on 225/45 17s).

I have tried 30psi up 34psi and agree that the slightly higher pressure gives greater feel to the steering, but it does not help this. I also try the progressive approach with no luck. Running std 17" 225/45 by the way. As you say bahnstormer 2/3rds throttle or a short shift to third does provide ample go, but I am questioning the logic in setting a car up in this fashion. It seems illogical to have to drive a car at 2/3rd's? I maybe an old cynic so please forgive me if I am!

I have tried 30psi up 34psi and agree that the slightly higher pressure gives greater feel to the steering, but it does not help this. I also try the progressive approach with no luck. Running std 17" 225/45 by the way. As you say bahnstormer 2/3rds throttle or a short shift to third does provide ample go, but I am questioning the logic in setting a car up in this fashion. It seems illogical to have to drive a car at 2/3rd's? I maybe an old cynic so please forgive me if I am!

You're perfectly entitled to be a cynic, but not an old one (yet).

How about this, to drive around the problem?

Don't short shift; take revs up to 3,500 - 4,000rpm before you change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. That way you keep the turbo 'on the boil' and the torque at a steady high level.

I find the thing that can catch you out is when you are 'off boost' at 1500rpm - so use full throttle to get going - the turbo fully kicks in at 1800 prm ish - you the get this massive surge/tsunami of torque - which you have to back off for or start using the TC.

If you keep the revs over 2,000rpm by changing up at 3,500rpm or more, then the torque delivery is strong and smooth and more easy to control.

In my opinion, there is no solution (see bye-bye vRS TDi). I also tried playing with tyre pressures to see if it helped but it was all very subjective - sometimes it felt better then Wham! if needed a quick getaway into a line of traffic on a wet or broken surface