Why am I skidding?

Recently got myself a new P reg disco 300tdi to replace an identical model which was falling apart and has now retired to be an off-roader. This new one has General Grabber AT2s on (235/70R16) and I have now ended up sliding into hedges twice at no great speed and no damage done. These are local roads I've driven on for years with no problems before. On neither occasion was I going more than 30mph, nor was is round a particularly tight bend, but on each occasion there had been a frost so there was obviously less grip on the road (though no black ice as I went back to check!) Tyre pressure was fine too and there is plenty of wear left in the tyres. It was frostly again this morning and I had the distinct impression I did not have full grip all the time.

I had Perelli Scorpions before on the old disco which seemed to have much better traction. Are these Grabber tyres really not meant for winter driving on the road? Is there something else I'm missing? Sorry for stupid question but I don't really want to fork out for a new set of tyres unnecessarily but I hate the feeling that I don't trust that the car will stay on the road!

Thanks

Is it locking up when you brake or just under steering on bends? No oil leaks that are getting on the tyres?

I suppose locking up but feels gradual if that makes any sense!

I've got bigger Grabber AT2's and they handle great, no worrying moments and they have a great reputation so there must be another reason, but I cant think of any off hand.

check ya trackin, track rod ends, drag links, generally all the steering components would be a good place to start...

Check calipers aint locking up or seized on rear

Why am I skidding?

Eat less fibre,n cut down on the fruit a bit

biolandy said:

Why am I skidding?

Eat less fibre,n cut down on the fruit a bit

Click to expand...

um other way round surely, eat more fibre and more fruit

strange_days said:

um other way round surely, eat more fibre and more fruit

Click to expand...

Aha yes!

But back to the car.... I don't think its a mechanical problem as I'm assuming it would be doing it all the time, not just specifically when frosty? Just keep coming back to thinking it must be the grip on the tyres.

What are your tyre pressures?

With grabbers if the pressures are too high you get less grip on firmer surfaces as there is less rubber in contact with the road.

Disco can be thrown about and very rarely skids until you completely lose it, so its odd that its letting go gradually.

tyres first. pressures and perhaps have a swap round? even better borrow a set off a mates car...?

Last time I skidded was due to all 4 locking due to gearbox winding up

a long shot. as you say you just recently got it. is it possible the tyres are very old. sat around outside in the open and have gone past their sell by date. had it with old motorbikes in the past.

Has it got ABS? are you "skidding" whilst braking or when you go round a bend without braking?

The reason I ask is my ABS over reacts and actually increases the stopping distance! Ive took the fuse out so I now have "normal braking" with no ABS and the problem has stopped, will be an MOT failure now though...

Or could you not borrow a set of good wheels with good tyres to stick on to see if the problem persists?

Off topic but been offered a set of these; apart from a love of hedgesare these tyres any good in the mud?

I t hink xat44 might have something. I bought a second hand bike a few years ago and it was all over the road even though there was plenty of tread on the tyres. I was told that the rubber starts to break down after a long period.
I don't know if someone was having me on ,but 2 new tyres did the trick.!

If your front shocks are shot, the tyres won't grip the rode so well such that when you brake your front wheels will skip and therefore lock.

We had a moment like that 3 days ago. a green flag truck pulled out on us just before a train crossing. All four locked under braking and slid. Mine has insa turbo sahara on. When we drove back over it i noticed that the road surface was very smooth and shiney, hence why i thing we slid. (its a road we travel 5 days aweek). Is it possible that the road surface is poor, or even a diesel spill?. I've run General Grabbers and always found them fine.

thebiglad has a very good point, check your shocks.

as already mentioned shocks are a strong possibility,