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Original poster

New car help please

34 replies

CtrlU · 09/07/2020 13:55

Hi all
Posting for traffic so please forgive me if this has been posted in the wrong category.

I have recently bought a new car and whilst driving yesterday in the rain I noticed it seemed that the wheels were skidding slightly. (Think when your trying to take off in snow and the wheels are skidding rather than gripping and moving off). I noticed the check tyre pressure lights came on yesterday also.

Is the skidding caused by the low tyre pressure or would I need to take my car back to the dealership ?

I feel silly for asking but it’s a new car for me (2017 make car) and I’m a relatively new driver so I’m unsure what this is and if the car is faulty or it’s just the tyres ?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Ardessa · 09/07/2020 14:13

If the tyre pressure light came on it is probs tyre pressure, take it to most petrol stations and make sure it is between 32 and 34 on the scale. When was it last Mot and has it been serviced? MOT would've checked tyre depth of tread and should have advised if there was an issue.

AnathemaPulsifer · 09/07/2020 14:15

Check your car manual to see what pressure the tyres need to be, it’s different for every car.

AnathemaPulsifer · 09/07/2020 14:16

That said, I haven’t noticed any slipping from my tyres even when tyre pressure has been low. I’d talk to the dealership.

GinDaddyRedux · 09/07/2020 14:16

Quick q and this isn't meant in any way of annoyance -

Do you know what the PSI is your tyres should be pumped up to? Sometimes it can be found on a sticker inside the car door, but you can easily google this stuff as well, lots of sites have tables.

Once you've found that out, if you have a tyre pressure pump, or if you have a local garage with air and water, it's worth inflating them to the right PSI just to be sure that you're not under-inflated.

I wonder whether if a car was sitting around a lot during COVID and has just been bought, if a forgetful dealer just didn't make sure they were inflated to the correct PSI during the pre inspection.

I don't work in the car industry or anything else but that's just my hunch. Check the tyre pressure yourself please before going back to the dealer.

FatherBrownsBicycle · 09/07/2020 14:17

Does it have an ASP, ESP or ASC button? Automatic stability control/anti skid -if it’s turned off then that would explain it.

PawPawNoodle · 09/07/2020 14:18

Low tyre pressure can cause skidding, particularly noticeable when stopping as you have a thudding noise and sensation.

Tyre pressure is dependant on car and model so I would check that out. Easiest to google make, model and year and "tyre pressure" but it may be in the user manual or somewhere on the car (I've had it shown on the driver side door panel or inside of the petrol flap)

I'd get the tyre thread checked in case with your local trusted garage who will likely check for free.

BertiesLanding · 09/07/2020 14:22

New tyres can also do this.

HardAsSnails · 09/07/2020 14:25

Why on earth did you drive after the warning light came out without checking your tyres? Everyone who drives should know how to do this, check oil and top up fluids.

potter5 · 09/07/2020 14:34

I had this with a Lexus. It was because car was a rear wheel drive. Back end skidded every time in rain or snow.

MoistMolly · 09/07/2020 14:45

It sounds like a combination of poor driving and poor vehicle maintenance.

Please leave the car keys at home.

Elai1978 · 09/07/2020 15:28

I had this with a Lexus. It was because car was a rear wheel drive. Back end skidded every time in rain or snow.

With the exception of snow that’s either crap tyres and/or poor driving. No reason you should be getting wheel spin.

FartingInTheFence · 09/07/2020 17:57

Depends on the car and what sort of traction control and other related systems it has....

Hard to tell without those details.

bridgetreilly · 09/07/2020 18:07

Yes, check the tyre pressure but also check the tyre depth. Bald tyres are susceptible to skidding.

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 09/07/2020 18:08

Are you sure it's the tyres? Could it be the clutch that is slipping? (assuming that it has a manual gearbox)

QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2020 18:13

Is it a bigger engine than you're used to?

I switched from a 1L to a 2L and got wheel spin a few times because it took me a few times to get used to the more perky engine.

HardAsSnails · 09/07/2020 18:15

OP said her low tyre pressure light came on already.

Elai1978 · 09/07/2020 18:54

The odd thing is that a tyre with lower pressure has more traction so you would be less likely to get wheel spin when pulling away. Has this only been happening when it’s wet? Does the traction control/ESP light flicker on the dash when this happens? If it’s wet and the car is fitted with cheap/nasty Chinese tyres that could explain it.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 09/07/2020 18:59

I bought a tyre pressure gauge a couple years ago - c. £15 from memory, wouldn't be without one.
Amazon or Argos I think

MoistMolly · 09/07/2020 19:04

The odd thing is that a tyre with lower pressure has more traction

Dangerous generic statement

mencken · 09/07/2020 19:10

get a tyre pressure gauge and check the tyres. Look also at the tread.

I think they teach this in the driving lessons now, if not find out how before you drive again.

basically you are going too fast for the conditions and that's dangerous.

Elai1978 · 09/07/2020 19:26

Dangerous generic statement

Not really, on most surfaces a lower pressure tyre has more traction. It’s not a recommendation, more an observation

Elai1978 · 09/07/2020 19:27

basically you are going too fast for the conditions and that's dangerous.

I read the OP as if this is happening when pulling away

QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2020 19:51

@mencken

get a tyre pressure gauge and check the tyres. Look also at the tread.

I think they teach this in the driving lessons now, if not find out how before you drive again.

basically you are going too fast for the conditions and that's dangerous.

Good lord what an ridiculous statement!

Nothing the op has said even remotely suggested that she was going too fast.

Lots of unfair judgement going on here!

MoistMolly · 09/07/2020 19:57

Not really, on most surfaces a lower pressure tyre has more traction. It’s not a recommendation, more an observation

Despite both car and tyre manufacturers investing thousands to get the optimal tyre pressure for each car/tyre combo, you know better?