Extremely sketchy handling when wet

[Callum]

I've been fighting this issue for the past few weeks now. The dealer states the alignment is fine, and nothing is loose. I have the Michelin 19's on my GT2 AWD.

When it's dry, small bumps and cracks cause the rear to jump side to side depending on conditions. I've chalked that up to normal, since my AMG's have done this.

However, when wet it's terrifying. Going in a straight line and the pavement is wet the rear of the car is wiggling about like you are jerking the wheel in small increments. The rear hops, and kicks out in a straight line. If it's raining lightly, the entire car becomes extremely unstable and rather concerning. 55MPH and above and I have a tough time keeping it in the same lane.

Anybody else have this issue? Seems to happen in Sport Mode when it's 80/20 in a much more aggressive manor, however Comfort and Eco mode also show the same effects but not as "snappy" if that makes sense.

EDIT: Sorry, I guess I didn't mention, this is cruising speed. No acceleration. Just a constant speed on the highway, where the rear end wiggles and jumps about on smooth pavement

 

[Ozstung]

Isn't this the wiggle/waggle/step out/ wallow thing we all talk about? Under reasonable acceleration this also happens in the dry. Believed by some to be caused by the split diff. If it is there is volumes written about it in this forum.

 

[Kamauxx]

I've never experienced what you're describing. But keep in mind you're driving on UHP summer tires in the winter. It's best to take it easy when the temps drop below 50 degrees, especially if it's wet out.

 

[Callum]

I've ran R888's, Super Sport Cup II's, etc in high performance sedans without these issues though. That's what makes me think it's the Stinger. The AWD is open diffs, so not related to the LSD stepping out. It just feels very unnatural. I might need a second opinion on my alignment TBH.

Just wondering if anybody has had the wiggling/stepping out in the wet when cruising in a straight line.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I've ran R888's, Super Sport Cup II's, etc in high performance sedans without these issues though. That's what makes me think it's the Stinger. The AWD is open diffs, so not related to the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) stepping out. It just feels very unnatural. I might need a second opinion on my alignment TBH.

Just wondering if anybody has had the wiggling/stepping out in the wet when cruising in a straight line.

Hey callum , I’m in Atlanta with AWD. I put in winter performance (not all seasons, not snow ice) specifically to drive in cold/wet weather. I’ve very aggressive. And the car is absolutely solid. No hint of rear end twitchiness. I use sport (and custom with sport engine settings-but comfort AWD/trans settings). Both work great. I typically don’t mess with the traction co trim settings.

But each tire does behave different in cold. I’ve read the PS4 are especially hard and unforgiving below 40. Normally summer tires are good in rain, but not if they are hockey pucks.

My 2 cents.

 

[Schpok]

No AWD here But I dove my car in the rain on snow and on ice. I also tried to let it kick out. I noticed in comparrison to my friends MB E350, Our traction control kick in very late.
for example - in the wet i can do a 180° turn with Spinning wheels before the traction control kicks in (in comfort). The MB is able to do like 30° max 50° before the traction control cuts alle the power.

so maybe thats what you experiance, no electronic helping especially in Sport mode

for me the car handles bumps good, even with rain and 200Km/H combined

 

[Callum]

Hey callum , I’m in Atlanta with AWD. I put in winter performance (not all seasons, not snow ice) specifically to drive in cold/wet weather. I’ve very aggressive. And the car is absolutely solid. No hint of rear end twitchiness. I use sport (and custom with sport engine settings-but comfort AWD/trans settings). Both work great. I typically don’t mess with the traction co trim settings.

But each tire does behave different in cold. I’ve read the PS4 are especially hard and unforgiving below 40. Normally summer tires are good in rain, but not if they are hockey pucks.

My 2 cents.

Anywhere near Mansell, heading south on 400 and the car is nearly undrivable at highway speeds right now. I have no odd tire wear, and the tread is relatively cool to the touch after a drive. I've had bad alignments, and the tires were extremely hot and had irregular wear. This genuinely feels like either a tire issue, or something is actually loose under my car. I'd be super curious if we put your tires on my car and went through the same area where my car is undrivable. That would answer my questions if it's the tires.

I feel like if my issue was more widespread (tire compound) there would be more posts about it..

 

[Doel]

really strange this only happens when it's wet.... My rear end will jump about in wet conditions, but only under hard acceleration. I literally won't have any traction at WOT until about 50 or so. With non aggressive driving, that car feels like any other comfortable sedan. My guess would be a tire issue, make sure none are mounted the wrong way. If it was something else, I would think it should exhibit this behavior when it's dry too.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Any possible ice buildup on your axles or inside your tires or anything? Also could be really badly unbalanced tires.

 

[Callum]

My guess would be a tire issue, make sure none are mounted the wrong way

You know...they did remove the tires when they installed the springs. I didn't even think to check the direction. I'll look!

 

[NS_Stinger]

really strange this only happens when it's wet.... My rear end will jump about in wet conditions, but only under hard acceleration. I literally won't have any traction at WOT until about 50 or so. With non aggressive driving, that car feels like any other comfortable sedan. My guess would be a tire issue, make sure none are mounted the wrong way. If it was something else, I would think it should exhibit this behavior when it's dry too.

Valid point that if your tires are unbalanced you’ll feel that in the dry as well.

 

[Callum]

Any possible ice buildup on your axles or inside your tires or anything? Also could be really badly unbalanced tires.

I wish I could say it was something silly like that. However in Atlanta it's just rain. The tires are smooth at high speed in the dry, so not that either.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

I've ran R888's, Super Sport Cup II's, etc in high performance sedans without these issues though. That's what makes me think it's the Stinger. The AWD is open diffs, so not related to the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) stepping out. It just feels very unnatural. I might need a second opinion on my alignment TBH.

Just wondering if anybody has had the wiggling/stepping out in the wet when cruising in a straight line.

I mean how fast are you leaving from a stopped position? I have a RWD and decide every time i leave a station position if I want to twerk with my ass end. If i dont its usually a slow rolling start if I do, I hit it with 25-30% accel and you can call me Niki Minaj

 

[Callum]

I mean how fast are you leaving from a stopped position? I have a RWD and decide every time i leave a station position if I want to twerk with my ass end. If i dont its usually a slow rolling start if I do, I hit it with 25-30% accel and you can call me Niki Minaj

I should have been more clear. This is not accelerating, this is cruising at a fixed speed. It feels like somebody jerking the wheel back and forth, say 10 degree's at a time. It's enough to shift me in my seat

 

[Doel]

You know...they did remove the tires when they installed the springs. I didn't even think to check the direction. I'll look!

If not that, I would check to make sure everything was installed properly, and if so put the stock springs back on. No idea why springs would cause your issue in only wet conditions, but you never know. If the issue is still there after all that, time to bang on Kia's door.

 

[Callum]

If not that, I would check to make sure everything was installed properly, and if so put the stock springs back on. No idea why springs would cause your issue in only wet conditions, but you never know. If the issue is still there after all that, time to bang on Kia's door.

I didn't drive the Stinger in the wet prior to lowering it. I didn't really drive it much prior to lowering it...still had the temp tag on it! So I'm not sure if my car would do that on the stock springs.

 

[DrGCS3]

I don’t think I would be able to keep this car if what you are describing happened to me. I have a 2019 GT2 AWD and it is very stable. I live in Indiana and just went through two winter storms. One dropped 5 inches of snow and the second was freezing rain with 2-3 inches snow on top. I drove through both storms and the only thing I can say is that this car inspires over confidence. Everything worked fine for me and slipping was always kept under control. No bouncing or skipping out when driving straight. I probably drove too fast for the conditions honestly. I know you probably know this already but I always have to adjust my tire pressures after the dealer because they overinflate and I turn off the lane keep assist in wet conditions. Is the road surface smooth where you are driving?

 

[Kamauxx]

I should have been more clear. This is not accelerating, this is cruising at a fixed speed. It feels like somebody jerking the wheel back and forth, say 10 degree's at a time. It's enough to shift me in my seat

I wouldn't even drive a car that was doing that. Take it back to Kia and let them drive it.

 

[Schpok]

turn off Lane Keep assist is a good Point

 

[Callum]

I don’t think I would be able to keep this car if what you are describing happened to me. I have a 2019 GT2 AWD and it is very stable. I live in Indiana and just went through two winter storms. One dropped 5 inches of snow and the second was freezing rain with 2-3 inches snow on top. I drove through both storms and the only thing I can say is that this car inspires over confidence. Everything worked fine for me and slipping was always kept under control. No bouncing or skipping out when driving straight. I probably drove too fast for the conditions honestly. I know you probably know this already but I always have to adjust my tire pressures after the dealer because they overinflate and I turn off the lane keep assist in wet conditions. Is the road surface smooth where you are driving?

The road is smooth, it's probably a little slicker than most due to how smooth it is. It's pretty sketchy, and will be dumping it off at KIA again.

I wouldn't even drive a car that was doing that. Take it back to Kia and let them drive it.

Probably a good idea!

turn off Lane Keep assist is a good Point

I don't really use Lane Keep Assist. It's cool, but seems to be all over the road most of the time. Mine loves the right side of the lane and get's too close to cars on the pass side for my liking.