Steering Issues - new owner

C

Craig F-A

New member
Hi,

I'm new to F-Type ownership, having just bought a 2016 V6 S. 46,000 miles.

The steering feels very light and is twitchy particularly when on rolling B and C roads when driving at 40 - 50 mph. Almost feels like it has lane monitoring (which I know it doesn't) when it pulls at some points. I've had a TVR S (also V6) before, and that certainly felt a lot more stable.

Tyres are Pirelli P Zero's. Allegedly only 3mm tread left, but i'd say less on the inside tread.

Dynamic mode doesn't seem to make any real difference to the steering as far as I can feel anyway.

Feels to me like it is more than just worn tyres, but suspect that should be the first thing I try - any other suggestions, and what tyres do people recommend? I've seen some comments that Pirelli's may not be the optimum choice.

Any help appreciated!
 
From personal experience the P-zeros are terrible tyres. They can't get hot enough in our climate to perform well but even when warm they are mediocre. I would strongly suggest looking at either PS4's or my personal suggestion is Continental Sport Contact 7, since fitting them I cannot explain how well they grip. I get almost no off the line slippage and excellent cornering. Wet performance is also brilliant. The link below is a direct comparison of all the major brands on the same car in the same conditions.

https://youtu.be/t10y-87oiD4?si=nYdDfojSyRie1GjX

In terms of the steering issue I don't think the tyres will fix that but whilst you get them changed it would be worth booking the car in to get the tracking measured and adjusted. It's not an expensive job but the first stop for any handling issues
 
I second the Conti SC 7’s - cheaper than the Michelin PS4s’s and a more recent design that gives slightly better performance too.

Before investing in new boots be sure to get a proper 4 wheel laser alignment done - not at the local garage where they still hang the kit over the tyre.

Potholes can soon knock things out of alignment, which sounds like the issue you have.
 
Well worth checking that dynamic mode is set to factory defaults. Dynamic is configurable (on most models) and maybe someone changed it?
 
You can get that light feeling when the tyres have worn down low having experienced it in the past with my van, and new boots cured it. I also agree with the previous comments regarding the P-Zero Grip, very lacklustre performance in low temperatures but they are an Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyre so can’t be expected to perform all the way through the temperature range. When the opportunity arises I shall be putting the SC7’s on
 
As already mentioned have 4 wheel alignment done with the new tyres. Your front wheels should have a couple of degrees of toe in. If the wheels are dead straight or very slightly toe out, it'll feel a bit twitchy in a straight line, and will dive into corners easily. I had a V6 set up like that from the factory 🙄.
 
1) Check your tyre pressures are correct
2) Do the alignment as suggested - this link may help find your local Hunter centre and generally they don't charge to just check it. https://alignmycar.co.uk/
3) invest in some new tyres as 3mm is as good as gone on a performance car
 
Thanks for your help everyone. Laser alignment completed and new Conti Sport Contact 7's fitted to front. The wheel alignment was out (front left was slightly toe out), but just the alignment alone didn't fully solve the issue. The new types however, make it all feel as I would expect - the old ones were very worn on the inner - it's amazing the difference of having the full tyre in contact with the ground :)
 
Good luck and it goes to show the importance of replacing at 3mm and staying on top of your wheels alignment. I for one disagree about the OE Pzero tyres. I find them superb on my setup (RWD V6). I daily my F-type in Dynamic mode only and I've done just over 5K spirited miles with them. Only once the rear let go a bit on a twisty road but it was about 5C, wet and I had not done the alignment yet.

I'm not saying there aren't better tyres but I really don't get people's complaints about the Pzeros on a V6.
 
WShudds said:
I'm not saying there aren't better tyres but I really don't get people's complaints about the Pzeros on a V6.
Click to expand...

The Americans in particular seem to have a beef against them. I haven't found them bad, although I am on PS4S now - maybe I don't drive it like I should! :lol:
 
scm said:
WShudds said:
I'm not saying there aren't better tyres but I really don't get people's complaints about the Pzeros on a V6.
Click to expand...

The Americans in particular seem to have a beef against them. I haven't found them bad, although I am on PS4S now - maybe I don't drive it like I should! :lol:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen tonnes of negativity on the American forum. It's almost as if we're not talking about the same tyre. I suppose they might break traction or feel loose on a V8 but on a V6, they're very good on wet and superb on dry. I considered replacing the rears with something else in May when the old ones got to 3mm but decided to get new Pzeros as the deal was too good and I don't regret.

I just wish they'd last longer. I'm hoping I can get 10K miles like you out of the new ones...
 
Craig F-A said:
Thanks for your help everyone. Laser alignment completed and new Conti Sport Contact 7's fitted to front. The wheel alignment was out (front left was slightly toe out), but just the alignment alone didn't fully solve the issue. The new types however, make it all feel as I would expect - the old ones were very worn on the inner - it's amazing the difference of having the full tyre in contact with the ground :)
Click to expand...

Good outcome. Most issues like this are solved with decent alignment and tyres and not forgetting correct pressures
 
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