MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: nymets on October 12, 2011, 12:08

Title: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: nymets on October 12, 2011, 12:08
Hi all.
I recently changed my tyres to the standard Yokohama's that are fitted to the facelifted MR2 from new. When I bought the car it had three different makes of tyres on it, including Marshall tyres!? Anyway, since I changed to the standard factory tyres the car seems to understeer more, especially in the wet, and not be quite as responsive regarding the steering. The tyre pressures are set to the handbook, and I wondered if this is indeed how the car is meant to handle, since I only really have experience with the old tyres. I know the pre-facelift car had slight understeer on turn in, so it could just be that the facelifted one does too.

Any help much appreciated. Thanks.
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 12:19
How many miles have these tyres done? Most, if not all, need bedding in.

Car should have mild understeer followed by oversteer if pushed harder.
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: Stephster on October 12, 2011, 12:38
I have a set of Yokohamas, my car is pre-facelift, but have never had any problems like that. Maybe I just don't drive it hard enough !
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 12:42
Another thing, make sure you have your spare+jack in the front (the car needs this weight) and that your wind deflectors are still there (little lips hanging down in front of the front wheels).
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: nymets on October 12, 2011, 12:48
Everything is in place. Spare wheel, wind deflectors, etc. tyres are bedded in, I suppose they've done about 1500 - 2000 miles.
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 12:50
Hmmmm, wheel alignment/tracking?
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: nymets on October 12, 2011, 12:57
I'm not necessarily saying there is anything wrong with it, I'm just wondering if it  is meant to have some understeer as I only have some experience with the old tyres (turn in was really responsive, followed by oversteer accellerating out). I had the TTE lowering springs fitted as well, I suppose that could make a difference.
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: aaronjb on October 12, 2011, 13:03
They did have a degree of understeer as standard (engineered in to try and stop people wrapping them around lampposts and earning the car a 'widowmaker' reputation) - you can trail brake quite heavily usually to point the nose in..
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 13:06
The whole car seems to pivot around the engine, and in such a fluid way that nailing an apex becomes instinctive. If there is understeer it is easily quelled with a slight lift of the throttle, while a heavy right foot will load the rear of the car up beautifully out of a bend. The MR2 is not a car with which you take liberties, but over time you'll relish the thrill of mastering its tail-biased balance. Roger Green knows the little Toyota well and is smitten: 'Despite having driven several thousand miles in this car I'm far from bored of it because every time you drive the MR2 you learn another facet of its character. You have to drive it, too. It demands your concentration.'

 m http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrou ... 06_cc.html (http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/15612/mg_tf_v_toyota_mr2_v_peugeot_206_cc.html) m
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 13:16
Tiff Needell - Top gear (Not fifth gear) toyota MR2 MRS review

Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 13:17
Doh! that didn't work  s:( :( s:(
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: ekimq on October 12, 2011, 13:40
Quote from: "dcod"Doh! that didn't work  s:( :( s:(

try:  m http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83RCDFg67zQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83RCDFg67zQ) m
Title: Re: YOKOHAMA UNDERSTEER
Post by: dcod on October 12, 2011, 13:43
Thanks dude.

I'll try again with the correct ID string.

[youtube:25mergef]83RCDFg67zQ[/youtube:25mergef]