How to keep a FWD car from understeering?

[Jand3rson]

Of course I already know that if you want a car for the twisties, RWD or AWD is the best. What about if you have a FWD car, such as a Honda or VW? I know you can't attack a corner in the same way as you can with a RWD, but does anyone know some techniques to keep from understeering yourself off the road or into a wall? If I end up getting a FWD car, I want to set the suspension up for maximum grip. I don't want oversteer either, I just want to keep the car where I want it to go.

[e9nine]

Chose the right lines, don't plough into turns..your e-brake is your way out since you can't kick the rear out with throttle. FWD really doesn't understeer that much if driven like its a FWD and not a RWD IMHO...good tires make a HUGE diff in the wet and on slippery surfaces. Another trick is to "unwind" the steering wheel a lil bit then dial it back in to where you want it to go..

[M-technik-3]

Big rear sway bar and no front bar.

[e9nine]

Big sway bar and no front bar.

The 'rocco Knight speaks :D

[Bill 84 318i]

your e-brake is your way out since you can't kick the rear out with throttle.

Hey now, the handbrake isn't a good substitute for understeer. Or much of anything really, besides "P" on auto cars.

[Stu]

Your front tires can only do so much when they are doing the steering and being driven.

[Rob]

a good LSD and a balanced suspension. My ITR didnt understeer so much as torque steer coming out of corners.

[e9nine]

your e-brake is your way out since you can't kick the rear out with throttle.

Hey now, the handbrake isn't a good substitute for understeer. Or much of anything really, besides "P" on auto cars.

Oh k that's it ... you're gonna be ridding shottie in the Max and I'll show you :twisted:
Its a simple strategy as you're understeering, lift off, a little flick of the steering wheel with a timed yank of the e-brake and voila. It takes practice and confidence to do it in an instinct and in the heat of the moment of the deadly understeer.

Bear in mind that this cannot rescue you from high speed understeer easily...

[M-technik-3]

Theres a good book out there sold well in late 80's and early 90's that told all the tricks of fast road FWD performance tricks for VW's that work well on most non IRS fwd cars. Plus Kenny Bell's book tells alot. Check out the B&N book stores.

[Jand3rson]

Awesome guys, thanks for all the responses. Keep 'em coming!

[Rob]

another good way is to go hot into a turn then jam the brakes.*










*=if you do this, dont blame me cause I was being sarcastic.

[808BMW]

It's kinda like over steer. A little bit will require adjustment, but the best way to not get too hot is to never get in that situation. Just realize your limits are a bit lower before you get into that corner :P

[Rob]

and also remember you can get on the power a little earlier in a FWD, since you have no worry about power oversteer

[whakiewes]

FWD doesn't mean oversteer. I know Rob has spoken, but ITR's and Prelude SH's really handle well. I think that there are so many parts out for FWD cars now days that everything gets thrown together to get that stiff low look, but in truth its not helping. As Tiff Needle said in one of his videos "Its got no suspension, it's SPORTY, SPORTY". Just to add to the understeer delima, my E36 with X-brace, Eibach Pro-Kit springs(285F/515R), Koni DA/SA's, and decent tires understeers like nothing I have ever driven. Thats even with bald summer tires out back. Then again, I came from a hellishly beaten E30 M3 :twisted:.

[Gr00v3]

sorry, that was jeremy clarkson

tiff > jeremy in driving

but

jeremy > tiff in dry sarcastic humor
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