General under steer when the roads are wet

[paulnsamantha]

Hi all does anyone else get under steer when the roads are wet I am not going to fast just get it mostly going round a round about. Also I have misplaced my owners manual when I moved can someone tell me the fuel consumption around town please> Oh and its a 2001 1.6 elx multipla

 

[slobo]

In the first instance I would check the tracking and ball joints etc.

 

[Avaxbox]

Cheap Chinese tyres are the most common cause


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[paulnsamantha]

Thanks for your replys it just passed the mot a few weeks back ball joints are fine tracking seems fine. As for the tyres the two on the front are good year and the back are dunlops do you think I should have all same make tyres on all 4 corners. The front tyres have 4-5mm tread and the rears are roughly the same

 

[Alpitlum]

Easiest and cheapest first. Swap the front tyres with the back and try it.

 

[BikeDoc]

Understeer when the roads are wet

If the tyres are the same (or close) all round, then it's probably down to the relative lightness of the Petrol engine (compared with the Diesel version).
My old 115 JTD (and now my 110) were/are probably the best balanced cars I've driven (other than minis . . . the real ones that is), both ends start to drift at the same time, great fun!
You could also try taking the rear seats and spare wheel out, see if that alters it.

 

[paulnsamantha]

Thanks all I might try some wider alloys on the old girl. my Passat estate tdi can go round at least 5 to 10 mph faster round a round about with no problem at all wet or dry. I only seem to get the under steer in damp and wet conditions

 

[MultiplaAbarth]

I agree with above, car in a certain road test has been described as almost hooligan for an MPV, I agree, as with the diesel engine you get a hefty lump on the front to keep it planted, and wide track, wheel at each corner.
Designed by italians to handle with confidence, especially at high speed on sweeping bends, so I'm told. Yes it does understeer, I agree, but thats good for safety, if its not your tyres, its not squeeling, and the tyres arent wearing out on the sides, then just go slower....

 

[Cheesy]

I had massive understeer on my multipla until recently.

When I purchased the car. I had a different manufacturer on each corner, all of the tyres were at different states of wear and all of the tyres were budget ditchfinders. Which, I found odd considering the service log the previous owner kept. Very out of character.
With a little spirited acceleration the front tyres would lose traction and wheel spin in the dry. In the wet, I would understeer and slide at any roundabout above 25mph. Horrible horrible ride.
It is only in the last month I have changed all of the tyres. 195/60/15H; I changed them for a mid range tyre. If I believe the sale blurb, the tyres are made in the same factory as Continentals, same carcass and rubber, but different tread pattern. I am driving on GT (general tyres) comfort. range. £280 fitted and balanced for all four.
The car drives much better, no more understeer in the wet or dry. Roundabouts on my daily commute can be taken at faster speed (when safe). The steering wheel no longer wobbles/vibrates above 70 and the brakes feel a lot more progressive.

 

[portland_bill]

Easiest and cheapest first. Swap the front tyres with the back and try it.

A good idea. Cheap and easy to do.

Thanks all I might try some wider alloys on the old girl. my Passat estate tdi can go round at least 5 to 10 mph faster round a round about with no problem at all wet or dry. I only seem to get the under steer in damp and wet conditions

Don't go changing the wheels yet. Sort the understeer first. Different wheel may mask the underlying issue.

Different cars react differently to different tyres. Expensive tyres may not suit some cars, whereas some cars may be happy on cheap tyres. Swapping from to rear will give an instant test at no cost.

Just moved some Continentals to the rear of the Panda and put new Vredestein on the front, a very different feel. Handles better, wet or dry, quieter.

You say tracking seems fine, I assume you mean no abnormal wear. Get it checked.
Ensure tyre pressures are correct.
Browse the tyre manufacturer's web site. Most will have a pressure recommendations listing. This is likely to show higher pressures than the Fiat handbook. Use these higher pressures.

 

[paulnsamantha]

Ok changed tyres around rears to front and fronts to rear its a bit better to be honest the tyres have the same tread depth on all of the tyre so no uneven wear. As to going slower if I go any slower a snail would overtake me im only going roughly 15 mph and I get sight understeer and never get it in the dry. I am going to replace all 4 tyres in the morning and I will be putting midrange or higher on. I think my multi doesn't like the rain as my front sunroof is leaking as have a wet roof liner at the top of the windscreen anyone no how to fix it

 

[widemouthfrog]

What are your tyre pressures? Does it behave in the same way turning left and right?

As for the handling, a lighter (i.e petrol rather than diesel) engine over the front axle should make it less likely to understeer. When the Multipla was released, a lot of magazine road tests reported better handling & balance for the petrol engined version, saying it was much less prone to understeer.

 

[portland_bill]

Are you keeping the power on and pulling through the corner? A trailing throttle will promote understeer.

 

[BikeDoc]

Understeer when the roads are wet

Front wheel-drive cars (as you probably know anyway) should be 'on the throttle' through corners, as far as possible, particularly in the wet.

I only ever put cheap tyres on mine (£60-70), never had an issue.

 

[paulnsamantha]

Just a quick update I have had 4 bridgestone tyres fitted this morning got a good deal on them cost me £240 which I thought was good. Anyway sods law it hasn't rained so I will have to wait and see if its better. To reply to above comments it will do it going left or right and im on the throttle round the corners as much as I can.


Also anybody no how to sort the sunroofs from leaking as the front and rear are leaking or do I have to seal them shut thanks for all your help

 

[portland_bill]

The new tyres will need running in for about 100 miles before they give their best. Don't push them until then. This applies to all new tyres.

 

[BikeDoc]

Leaking sunroof(s)

Leaky lids
And another

 

[paulnsamantha]

Thanks for that