2008 Subaru Impreza WRX w/ traction control tire slippage ... huh?

naturalPlastic · 09-28-2009, 04:21 PM

Hi folks! New member, total newb, and just got a 2008 WRX hatchback after lusting after WRXes for six years.

So here's my question.

My WRX is all stock except for a kartboy short throw shifter, and my girlfriend and I went blasting through the twisties yesterday. I was surprised when she pulled off a very controlled drift around the first tight turn for two reasons -- one, my girlfriend can drift, and two, this is an AWD WRX with traction control and suitable tire tread left.

Now, in my experience many years ago, I couldn't get the 2004 or 2005 WRXes to slip no matter what I did if the road conditions were good. The car I just bought, though ... it slips easily. She enjoyed it, but I kept thinking, "It's not supposed to do that!" (She owns a Mazdaspeed 3, and on the same course her car slipped far less).

Here's what I know:

1. The tires have plenty of tread left -- at least another 5000 miles or so. They are a bit bald on the edges, though.
2. The car has traction control, and it is *ON*. (There's a light that says when it's off.)
3. The road conditions were good in every place she began to lose traction.

What gives? Is this expected?

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Brewhaha · 09-28-2009, 04:27 PM

Hello,

I will say before anyone else mentions this, you should probably fill in your profile.

My guess would be speed? I only have issued with slipping on painted lines so I have no idea.

jalm111 · 09-28-2009, 06:16 PM

That's open diffs for you....

and take it to the track, Takumi.

burtonrider3889 · 09-28-2009, 06:46 PM

Seems your girlfriend just drives better than you. She seems to be pushing it harder.

constantino7491 · 09-28-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burtonrider3889

She seems to be pushing it harder.

she loves to push it harder

CynicX · 09-28-2009, 08:02 PM

We will need pictures of your girlfriend to verify her looks to driving ability ratio....

In 2008 the WRX lost its rear LSD and gained traction control. Traction control in most cases is a system that activates the brakes to a certain wheel to simulate traction to make an open differential more like an LSD. MIGHT have something to do with it.

Probably more likely to be differences in cars and drivers. The stock tires are crap so it will handle worse then any WRX with none stock tires.

Kaylz555_UK · 09-28-2009, 08:41 PM

I've got a UK model and mine slides out at the rear too, which can be both a good and bad thing!

andrew3776 · 09-28-2009, 09:45 PM

I have brand new tires and i was doing 60 around turns in the rain and had some tire slippage. I"m guessing speed is the cause. And +1 for a pic of the girlfriend

Chuck Jones · 09-28-2009, 09:51 PM

TTIWWOP

In my experience the rear slips pretty easily on the 08. The problem is the suspension loads and unloads alot and in dry conditions can throw you around a little. But I would say it is normal and get some better tires!

GreenMarine · 09-28-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalm111

That's open diffs for you....

and take it to the track, Takumi.

Yeah, that's one reason I don't like the new WRX's... They ditched the rear LSD and went for an open unit, then put traction control in there... To me it seemed like they were trying to move away from the "Performance driving" end of things and into the normal everyday commute

...

Whatever though, because I loooooove my 2006, and all that matters is that you are happy with what you have

~ Chris

09-28-2009, 04:21 PM	#1
naturalPlastic Scooby Newbie Member#: 225137 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Campbell, CA Vehicle: 2008 Impreza WRX White	2008 Subaru Impreza WRX w/ traction control tire slippage ... huh? Hi folks! New member, total newb, and just got a 2008 WRX hatchback after lusting after WRXes for six years. So here's my question. My WRX is all stock except for a kartboy short throw shifter, and my girlfriend and I went blasting through the twisties yesterday. I was surprised when she pulled off a very controlled drift around the first tight turn for two reasons -- one, my girlfriend can drift, and two, this is an AWD WRX with traction control and suitable tire tread left. Now, in my experience many years ago, I couldn't get the 2004 or 2005 WRXes to slip no matter what I did if the road conditions were good. The car I just bought, though ... it slips easily. She enjoyed it, but I kept thinking, "It's not supposed to do that!" (She owns a Mazdaspeed 3, and on the same course her car slipped far less). Here's what I know: 1. The tires have plenty of tread left -- at least another 5000 miles or so. They are a bit bald on the edges, though. 2. The car has traction control, and it is ON. (There's a light that says when it's off.) 3. The road conditions were good in every place she began to lose traction. What gives? Is this expected? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-28-2009, 04:27 PM	#2
Brewhaha Scooby Specialist Member#: 180677 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Dover, DE Vehicle: 06 Chains n Whips 06 WRX CGM	Hello, I will say before anyone else mentions this, you should probably fill in your profile. My guess would be speed? I only have issued with slipping on painted lines so I have no idea.

09-28-2009, 06:16 PM	#3
jalm111 Scooby Specialist Member#: 119074 Join Date: Jul 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Issaquah, WA Vehicle: 2009 WRX WRB	That's open diffs for you.... and take it to the track, Takumi.

09-28-2009, 06:46 PM	#4
burtonrider3889 Scooby Specialist Member#: 163519 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Richmond, VA Vehicle: 2005 Wrx Wrb	Seems your girlfriend just drives better than you. She seems to be pushing it harder.

09-28-2009, 08:02 PM	#6
CynicX Scooby Guru Member#: 48199 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Maryland Vehicle: 06 WRX WRB	We will need pictures of your girlfriend to verify her looks to driving ability ratio.... In 2008 the WRX lost its rear LSD and gained traction control. Traction control in most cases is a system that activates the brakes to a certain wheel to simulate traction to make an open differential more like an LSD. MIGHT have something to do with it. Probably more likely to be differences in cars and drivers. The stock tires are crap so it will handle worse then any WRX with none stock tires.

09-28-2009, 08:41 PM	#7
Kaylz555_UK Scooby Newbie Member#: 225158 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Scotland, UK. Vehicle: 2008 Impreza UK Satin Pearl White	I've got a UK model and mine slides out at the rear too, which can be both a good and bad thing!

09-28-2009, 09:45 PM	#8
andrew3776 Scooby Specialist Member#: 172133 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Holyoke Mass Vehicle: 2003 Stage 2 Wrx rotten banana	I have brand new tires and i was doing 60 around turns in the rain and had some tire slippage. I"m guessing speed is the cause. And +1 for a pic of the girlfriend

09-28-2009, 09:51 PM	#9
Chuck Jones Scooby Specialist Member#: 153449 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Peterborough, NH/Woo, MA Vehicle: 2008 WRB Replaced East Coaster	TTIWWOP In my experience the rear slips pretty easily on the 08. The problem is the suspension loads and unloads alot and in dry conditions can throw you around a little. But I would say it is normal and get some better tires!