Traction control problem?
 

Its been four month since i got my Mazda speed3 09.The car does have a turbo upgrade. Since then I have notice that the traction control light come on went I take turns fast and notice the traction control come on. I feel the car loose at the turns like if I have no traction at all, which is probably why the traction control is kicking on, This also happens went I step on it really hard, event if am going on a straight line. I think its because the tires suck, which are Kumho ECSTA AST. But am also coming from a rear wheel drive car Mazda Rx8 Gt. I have driving regular mazda 3 before and it felt planted, not loose like this one, shit my Suzuki Sx4 feels more planted then this one.

So my question is, am I been paranoid coming from a rear wheel drive car Or do I have a traction control problem?

Suspension is stuck, except for the wheel which are MSR, which have rub the fenders, but i roll the fenders since.

Any feed back would be helpful, thank

Traction control problem?
 

My question is: why ask the Rx8 club about a Mazda 3? You could try going to the Mazda 3 forums and asking there?

Are you spinning the tires when it feels loose? Mike has one....and it is a little hairy when you tromp the gas :)

Better tires will help...those things are like rocks...especially if they are a few years old

"Guys when I spin the wheels or lose traction, the traction control light comes on."


Okay so what exactly is the problem then?

Quit driving it like it doesn't have any power.

You have to remember that have around double the power and torque of a standard Mazda 3 (and probably more than double the Suzuki). Of course you're going to run into the limits of grip much, MUCH faster. When you only have 100-150 HP, it's easy for to get away with treating the gas pedal like it's a binary state (on or off). But when you have this much power, you have to ease into it much more gently while paying attention to how much the wheel is turned, the camber of the turn itself and a berjillion other things.

Remember the traction circle.

Also, Kumho AST isn't a bad tire but it's not a good tire, either. Get some good rubber and it will help. It won't stop this problem if you're just ham-fisting and lead-footing it around town but it will help.

If you really want to learn how to drive this car fast, start autocrossing it. Don't worry about class and competitiveness and focus more on learning how to drive properly.

Thanks, just like you said I need to get use to it, specialy since its front wheel drive, but I also rotated the tires, as they were never rotated, I now this because the real tires have 3/4 more tread in them and now I do feel the car planted now, and yes am planing on getting some Bridgestone potenza re960as, as its going to be my daily, but I miss my Rx8 some much, can't wait to get her fix next year and I new was going to have some problem with how it feels after driving my rx8 for the past 10 years. I also ask the question in case the speed3 did have a traction control problem, and I did post on the MazdaNw forum, with no luck, Thats why I post it here to since I been here for the past 10 year, not so much in the past two year do to personal problems.

So Thanks again

Hey, at least you're asking questions. The admission of ignorance is the first step in learning.

As has already been stated this is normal for a MS3 with mare than stock power. They can be a handful. If you get all the way on the gas from a roll it will try to turn left. Torque steer.