rx8_4TWin

Don't know how to put this, but my 8 is feeling drags when I am making turns in low speed, especially if I am turning when starting up.

It feels like there is a lot of resistance between the tire and the ground...everything seem fine in straight line or when turning in higher speed (30+mph). Also, the tires are fairly new (same problem when with old tires though).

any thought?

CrazyJek

Did u leave ur e-brake on?

rx8_4TWin

if by e-brake you mean hand-brake, then no.

and it has been like this for a while... any other thought?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Turning the wheel does induce a faint amount of rotor/caliper shift, a severe turn can be enough for the pads to start gripping the rotor if not everything is where it should be and appropriately tight...


Not saying this is the issue, but it might be.

jasonrxeight

on a RWD car starting while turning will always be harder with FWD car because the torque only goes forward while FWD torque turns as the wheels turn. thats why RWD is harder to drive in the snow.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

yeah, that why a sudden hard acceleration with the wheels turned will actually slide the front tires forward slightly before they grip...

Sorry, you were going good till this line. It ain't so

RWD sports cars typically come with summers, which turn into hockey pucks under 40 degrees...and usually the weight is forward in most cars, so weight off the drive tires, compounding the problem. Low end torque doesn't help either. Breaking torque induces oversteer, and into a spin if you can't control it.

FWD cars typically come with all seasons, which at least retain some flexibility, and more tread, so they do better. They also have the weight over the drive wheels, improving the limited grip better. They are also usually lower torque, so easier to stay within available torque limits. Breaking torque induces understeer, so while you can't control your direction very well, at least you aren't spinning.

THAT is why the common perception exists that "RWD cars are harder to drive in the snow"

Stick snow tires on a RWD car, and it will beat all seasons on a 4WD or AWD hands down. I do it every winter. Snow tires on AWD is obviously the best possible.

It helps that our low end torque is so low and our weight is 50/50 so less unbalanced weight off the rear axle.

I am planted and stable and can grip and drive anywhere except deep powder (ground clearance). But I can break traction when i want to for the fun.



Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ken-x8

Ack! And I was so looking forward to a correct explanation.

Given equal tires, the reason why fwd is easier to drive in the snow is just the difference between pushing and pulling. When rwd wheels spin, they may slip sideways and you need to countersteer. The car won't straighten unless the front wheels have enough grip to turn and move the whole front over. Not even possible if they're in a rut. When fwd wheels spin, the rear isn't trying to come around. The front wheels may slip sideways, but steering as they're spinning has a shot at countering the sideways slip.

FWIW, rwd cars tend to be better than fwd for stopping on snow, because all cars are four wheel braking and the weight distribution is usually better.

Considering the current heat wave, talking about driving in the snow is really refreshing.

Ken

jasonrxeight

ok this is my theory
given same weight distribution and same tires
FWD cars are easier to get going when turning because the torque goes to where the wheels are turning to.
RWD is harder because when get going weight shifts to the back front tires lose grip

hill start going in a straight line, RWD is better since the weight shift

rx8_4TWin

interesting... i wonder if this could actually be the cause.

last time when i changed oil at the dealers, they mentioned that i needed new brake pads (although i didn't feel any difference when braking...certainly no screaming). i have planned to change the pads myself sometime. maybe i just need to do this sooner...

kjb

It might be an LSD problem. If the differential is locking up all the time, you could get some binding at low speeds that might feel like it's dragging.

c0ldf1ame

iTrader: (5)

good alignment?

rx8_4TWin

that i really don't know for sure. but there seems to be no reason to suspect otherwise, the tire wear seems quite even

Razz1

have another member drive it to see if its your head

0413B

mine does a little too. my 04 gs never had the 'problem'. ive never read anything about it here so i assumed it had something to do with the dsc. i rarely have to crank it to full lock anyway. ill bring it up with my tech at the next service.

rx8_4TWin

i think my head and my friends' heads are all good....

yiksing

Check your brake calipers and pads for debris, dust, whatever... it might be causing caliper to rub against pad especially when turning. I had that happened to me once on my DD, toasted a rotor completely. Hope this helps