[RESOLVED] Car Skidded and Almost Lost Control When Turning, Need Help

AussieBogan on 09/02/2023 - 20:58
Last edited 12/02/2023 - 11:32 by 1 other user

Hi OzMechanics,

I have a Kia Rio S 2015, and recently my car started to skid when turning right in roundabouts in wet conditions.

When turning right in a roundabout, the car started to shake and skid (slide to the right) in the middle of the roundabout, and the Traction Control Light was on. After 3-5 seconds the car came back to normal. This happened three times last month and I only drove around 5 times in wet conditions last month. Two of the three times happened in the same roundabout. My turning speed was not fast (10 -15 km/h), my tyres were nearly new and pressure of the four tyres was normal.

I had my car serviced recently after having these issues and the mechanic said everything was normal. I almost started to think my turning method was wrong but not sure where it went wrong. How I did my turn: I stopped before the roundabout to wait for other cars to pass, when cleared I hit the gas gently to accelerate. When the car reached the middle of the roundabout, I hit the gas again gently as the car was near to stopping. At this point the car started to shake and skid/slide. The roundabout that had two events happen was a two-lane roundabout, I was on the right lane (the lane close to the centre of the roundabout) and it looks like this.

What should I do to avoid this happening again?

Automotive Car Kia

Comments

  • tephra on 10/02/2023 - 12:05
    +8

    I highly doubt you were only doing 10-15km/h.

    Sign up for a defensive driving course ASAP please.

    Car control and knowing its limits is a valuable skill for you to have, and keeps other people safe.

    • greatlamp on 10/02/2023 - 14:41

      I hit the gas gently to accelerate. When the car reached the middle of the roundabout, I hit the gas again gently as the car was near to stopping. At this point the car started to shake and skid/slide.

      OP is driving very erratically and triggering the ESC (which is over sensitive in the Kia already).

      Defensive driving, and 4 new tyres

      don't be so cheap OP, for the size of tyres that car uses you could afford to use top brand products. Someone suggested Michelin pilot sports, I would agree

  • apple2016 on 10/02/2023 - 12:13

    When turning right in a roundabout, the car started to shake and skid (slide to the right) in the middle of the roundabout

    I would expect the car to skid to the left if you car looses traction due to speed. Are you sure you were turning right and the car skid to the right ?
    For a FWD this looks like your electric steering is forcing you to go further right and also increasing acceleration.

  • Odin on 10/02/2023 - 12:24

    Your tyres suck, but more expensive and better tyres. Look at reviews.

  • 6000SUX on 10/02/2023 - 12:37

    When i read the title i pictured someone writing this post from the drivers seat, stranded - asking for help on OzB after it just happened.

  • Dreamcast on 10/02/2023 - 12:56

    Get someone else to drive it and see if the same issue occurs.

  • jjacob on 10/02/2023 - 12:57
    +1

    My .02 cents, get some Michelin pilot sports for the car. They are not too overly priced as opposed to some average brand. I know its sounds insane for a 7 year old car, but think about it this way. Tyres are the only contact of your moving 1 ton vehicle to the road, so make sure you don't cheap out on them. I have pilot sport on my 15 year old Camry, and state of the road makes no difference to the way the car handles.

    • bmerigan on 12/02/2023 - 22:46

      I don't think someone using Viking tyres is in the same demographic as Pilot Sport users.

    • jvsnumberonefan on 15/02/2023 - 03:06

      I drive various abused company cars all with super cheap nasty tyres and they all have plenty of grip in the dry, in the wet you just have to drive slowly and gently and you won't lose traction at all.

      I agree really cheap tyres definitely aren't as safe as 'decent' or performance tyres in the rain but if you simply drive carefully and don't zoom around in the wet you'll be more than fine lol, having a good amount of tread, even wear, proper wheel alignment and otherwise good vehicle condition is far more important.

  • mctubster on 10/02/2023 - 13:09

    Scary; you brake as you approach a turn, generally coast through the turning bit, and then accelerate out as the wheels are straightening up. Maybe a driving lession showing your technique so it can be corrected…

  • Baysew on 10/02/2023 - 13:19

    Any dashcam footage?

  • Poor Ass on 10/02/2023 - 13:21

    maybe stop saying hit the gas

  • subroc on 10/02/2023 - 13:33

    One other thing to consider is how hard you were turning when you hit the accelerator mid-roundabout. Turning right on a roundabout, you'd be turning slightly left to follow the road around the centre island, then a hard right. If you hit the accelerator a little too hard on a wet road right at that point, you'd be more prone to losing traction than if your tyres were straight.

    But yeah, I agree with the others here. Sounds like you need to improve on maintaining a more consistent speed. I think the sudden switch from deceleration to acceleration mid-turn is doing it.

  • WT on 10/02/2023 - 13:57

    in addition to normal things which have been pointed out, check the engine and trans mounts on FWD cars, they are under more movement then rwd cars and when one cracks the engine can twist causing alignment to go out when under acceleration

    If you crack an engine mount in a rwd car, the rear end is under its own set of bushes so it doesnt happen

  • jatbinks on 10/02/2023 - 13:59
    -4

    Can confirm this has nothing to do with tyres but to do with the car. Kia Rio is a complete crapshoot with horrible handling and bad COG. No way around it.

    • Poor Ass on 10/02/2023 - 14:00

      ya mate they are not well made

      not sure if they changed the door handles but they used to be the lift ones rather than pull ones

      you know it's crap when it's a lift handle

  • hippieyippie on 10/02/2023 - 14:00

    It might be contaminants on the road. Mine occasionally skids on a certain roundabout in the wet but it's fine for every other corner and roundabout even at higher speeds in the wet. I have since learnt to slow down more and earlier when approaching that roundabout.

  • Hugh G Rection on 10/02/2023 - 14:33

    sounds like you need new and better tyres.

  • Empharand on 10/02/2023 - 14:47
    +1

    I was letting it slow down to almost stopping then accelerate again mid turn, sounds like I was wrong?
    (An earlier comment by OP - Describing their actions when going around a roundabout)

    The sudden power jolt by doing that will most certainly cause your tyres to lose traction going around a roundabout on a wet day

    Also make sure not to overinflate your tyres. Over-inflating is a good way to lose traction on wet roads.
    You said (and I quote) "pressure of the four tyres was normal" but define normal? Your definition of 'Normal' could be different to the recommended PSI by the manufacturer or the recommended PSI on the placard usually around the driver's side door area (If they're the same size as the original tyres).

  • Vent89 on 10/02/2023 - 15:52

    Turning right then sliding to the right? So you basically ended up turning more towards the right than you expected? Sounds like it could be a bit of overstear bought on by wet conditions and poor quality rear tyres.

  • CurlCurl on 10/02/2023 - 16:16

    Is this the first time it's happened?

  • skillet on 10/02/2023 - 16:22

    Go to a empty carpark at night and test your cornering. Better when it rains. If your car is sliding when turning at 10-15kmh you need to get it fixed.

    You might want to get your control arm bushing checked out. A worn out bushing can cause the car to drift left or right when you accelerate.

    The tyres has to be extremely plastic to do this.

    Anyway, keep us updated with the results.

    • MS Paint on 10/02/2023 - 16:48

      Anyway, keep us updated with the results.

      Unlikely. Radio silence at the moment.

      • skillet on 10/02/2023 - 16:50

        I didn't notice OPs username now I regret replying…

  • Logical on 10/02/2023 - 16:51

    Did you have a full lock of the steering wheel? I think you may have a problem with that thing down there (no, not there…) I am taking about where there is a steering arm and ABS sensor thing.

    • MS Paint on 10/02/2023 - 17:01

      I wouldn't put it past the OP but very unlikely unless it was a roundabout for ants.

  • mendoza on 10/02/2023 - 18:14

    There used to be a roundabout near me next to a servo, occasionally some diesel would spill from an over filled tank (i guess). It made the roundabout very slippery in the wet.

    Have you tried going left around the roundabout? :)

  • Mumbles on 10/02/2023 - 18:15

    If its low speed of 15km/h the shuddering is most likely the Electronic stability control activating as you've over accelerated for the amount of sideways G-force. The shuddering probably isn't ABS at that low speed. If its the ESC then you need to be gentler on the accelerator mid-corner and wait till steering wheel is pointed straight before accelerating that hard.

    Check the tread depth on the front tyres. If they are close to the tyre indicators then aquaplaning incidences will increase (and activation of Electronic Stability Control).

    If you keep cheaping out on tyres then you also must slow your driving down accordingly.

  • bunk on 10/02/2023 - 18:22

    I'm curious, how is it even possible (when driving any method) to drift/skid @ 10-15 km/h at a round-about…. Assuming no issues with the tyres.

    • JustASmoothSkin on 11/02/2023 - 00:00

      Road slick, road angles and poor tractions control systems.

  • Horacio on 10/02/2023 - 18:39

    I feel sad for the youth of today that they can't enjoy some moderate FWD drifting without a computer stepping in and ruining their fun with traction control, rev limiters and whatnot

    • skillet on 11/02/2023 - 11:54

      RWD drifting is much safer and easier to control. FWD oversteer and you are dead.

      • Euphemistic on 11/02/2023 - 15:55
        +1

        FWD oversteer? Understeer is more dangerous

  • trapper on 10/02/2023 - 19:50

    If your car is shaking and skidding with the car going only 10-15 km/h then something is seriously wrong with the car here…

  • Thinkswithelbow on 10/02/2023 - 19:52

    I've driven a Kia Rio and although not a amazing car….it doesn't explain this.

    I also drive though a round about today at 10kmph
    I was not moving very quickly.

    My theory is you're wrong, you're actually going faster but have misread the Speedo

    I need to see a video of you driving in the rain doing 10kmph to believe this.

  • RedDevil860 on 10/02/2023 - 19:53
    +1

    Stop pressing NOS

    • WhyAmICommenting on 10/02/2023 - 22:02
      +1

      Stop granny shifting and start double clutching like you should.

      • RedDevil860 on 11/02/2023 - 14:52
        +1

        I am still laughing at how someone can lose control with a Kia Rio

  • PVA on 10/02/2023 - 19:56

    You were going faster and more erratic than you thought you were doing.
    Also, maybe, you haven’t got great tyres even if they are new.

  • Kamsi on 10/02/2023 - 19:56

    You see this few times on Dash cam owners Australia. Wondering whether it is the tyres or the need of better wheel alignments.

    • nswnotill on 10/02/2023 - 22:00

      I agree. Maybe wheel alignment and/or suspension settings are incorrect or have wear. What about front shock absorbers? Has the vehicle been in a prior accident and whole front end is mis-shapen? How many K'm has the vehicle travelled?

  • DiscoJango on 10/02/2023 - 20:56
    +2

    Round abouts have tiny bits of oil droppings on them which become slippery after/during rain. When you go and basically turn full lock, the car slides.

    • jvsnumberonefan on 15/02/2023 - 02:54

      I may be wrong but I thought this was an old thing relevant to old bombs from decades ago and not really an issue today.

      • Euphemistic on 15/02/2023 - 06:52

        Same issue, grip levels have likely increased So you’ll just end up going faster before you slide.

  • Hahuh on 10/02/2023 - 21:14

    Op. You could always rent another car and see if it's something you could replicate.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 10/02/2023 - 22:04

      Nekminit: help OzBargain! I didn’t get the excess reduced on my rental…

  • MagicOZ on 10/02/2023 - 21:27

    I read somewhere that Kia model had the most incidents according to insurer's statistic. Maybe is the car after all. Bad center of gravity?

  • Ozykins on 10/02/2023 - 22:47

    Might be worth checking the shockers, especially the rear. Bounce each corner up and down. Should settle within one bounce. Much uppydowney = shot shocks.

  • cbastien on 10/02/2023 - 23:58

    Just swap the best tyres to the back and problem solved for free. It is always better to put the best tyres in the back as it is easier to recover under steer than oversteer on a FWD

  • Finde on 11/02/2023 - 00:33
    +2

    It is 100% as a result of driver error.

  • Lockieasy on 11/02/2023 - 08:09
    +1

    As long as you blast this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuJDhFRDx9M while going around any future roundabouts you'll be fine

  • Vash1984 on 11/02/2023 - 08:41

    Press and hold R before you start to skid.
    You will get to your destination faster.

  • Bid Sniper on 11/02/2023 - 09:42
    +5

    I have a 2014 Kia Proceed hatchback and had similar issue, its axel tramp.

    The engine pitch stop bushing that needs to be upgraded. (whiteline kdt970). It soft from factory and deteriates. So when you step on the gas in the wet you light up the traction control light and car shudders, skids in the wet.

    I had this happen even with brand new Bridgestone RE003s and wheel alightment. Even when rolling in the wet it would skid under acceleration.

    Bushing is $30 and its 5min job to replace, use thread locker. Will notice can accelerate faster even in dry.

  • 9hundred on 11/02/2023 - 10:25

    don't accelerate while turning!

  • 7ekn00 on 11/02/2023 - 10:39
    +1

    Wheels spun and then skidded once you hit the gas for a second time :/

    In a Kia it is best to maintain speed when turning, not accelerate too abruptly, especially when wet! Poorly designed traction control :/

    EDIT Beaten to it with a better explanation by Bid Sniper above, see: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/756048?page=1#comment-1336…

  • Zondor on 11/02/2023 - 10:47

    I have a 2013 rio and have never had these issues. Same with my GF's mazda 3 DE. If your front and back tires are different brands, swap em and see if there is a difference.

    I just use bob jane all rounders.

    • paloverde88 on 11/02/2023 - 23:24

      Just swap it back and forth and forth and back with all
      Possible permutations one will work

  • sharkie0123 on 11/02/2023 - 10:55

    A few years ago I had a similar issue occur,
    how ever not with a Kia it was a Hyundai Getz,
    most of the cars weight is situated in the front of the car,
    when turning a corner or round a bout above 40km the car would feel like its shaking or slide, (drifting is fun in the wet when no ones around)
    slowed it down to roughly 25-30km while still higher than the road rules state is safe for a T-Section or Round about it prevented the sliding,
    this was eventually checked by a Hyundai mechanic who stated the weight and tyres used on the car are incompatible with high speed turning,
    you can lower your tyre pressure to get more grip on the road but keep within the recommended from the cars specifications on the sticker,

    better suggestion slow down when turning

    Please note that some T-Sections and Round abouts do have a lot of oil on the road and can make them more slippery in the wet and heat.

  • johnfuller on 11/02/2023 - 18:29

    probably just too much power from engine

  • OzzyOzbourne on 11/02/2023 - 23:16

    How did it slide to the right when turning right at the roundabout? Surely it would slide left if anything

  • paloverde88 on 11/02/2023 - 23:21

    I never save on rubbers stock was michelins and since then always continentals from authorised dealers. Drive a Peugeot

  • bigbadboogieman on 11/02/2023 - 23:34

    I have had similar problems with Pirelli. I think it's the tyres' poor performance under wet conditions. It skids alot when starting from a full stop on a red light in wet conditions. Once the same situation as yours happened where I lost almost 80% control while inside a roundabout during rain. Thankfully it was late at night and only one car on my left waiting on me to clear. I think the other driver saw me losing control so they didn't enter the roundabout. I got the control back but for a those 2 or 3 seconds, my heart jumped into my throat. Stopped shortly after and checked everything. Nothing wrong with tyres, tread is fine. I think Pirelli just sucks under wet conditions. Going to steer clear at my next tyre change.

  • Millikano on 12/02/2023 - 08:24

    When tyres are brand new they still tend to be oily. When it’s dry, try to use them a bit (harder cornering) for a hundred kms to scuff the edges.

    Don’t use any tyre black on the sidewalls anywhere close to the contact point with the road. When tyres are changed they often spray the tyre black and it is really bad for traction.

    Think about changing the Vikings.

    Think about lowering tyre pressure a bit to 34/35/36 psi.

    Even the worst car (eg 1990 Hyundai excel etc) with a really good set of tyres (say pilot sport 4) will handle okay in dry and wet.

    Overall, tyre setup and wheel alignment would be the culprits at such a low speed.

  • filmer on 12/02/2023 - 10:36

    I have a feeling you aren't being as gentle when accelerating in the roundabout as you think you are. You probably shouldn't be accelerating in the middle of a roundabout, especially a small one in the rain at all.

  • Aap Ke Papa on 12/02/2023 - 12:42

    I know exactly what you are talking about.
    My guess is that it has happened at the same roundabout. If that is the case, its a kia thing combine it the way that particular road is constructed. It has happened to my sportage gt a few times. Normal turn at this particular round about. It always skids. I'm used to it now and i purposely really slow down at that roundabout

  • Aust on 12/02/2023 - 13:00
    +2

    User name is not checking out, Should be a way of life sliding around corners for an Aussie Bogan,

  • ezekiel181 on 12/02/2023 - 17:21
    +9

    So what was the resolution? I need to know.

    • CalmLemons on 12/02/2023 - 21:47
      +2

      Crappy car. Crappy tires. Crappy suspension. Too much torque (if that's possible with kia)

  • MadMud on 12/02/2023 - 21:04
    +1

    Had a little Barina that did the same. Turned out the shockies were shocking. YMMV.

  • jvsnumberonefan on 15/02/2023 - 02:46

    Are you sure you aren't doing more like 30km/h+ through the roundabouts :D

    Light class cars + cheaper tyres don't have all the grip in the world in the wet but 10-15km/h is slow and practically impossible to lose traction at assuming your tyres are in good condition alignment etc.

    I have an 05 Jazz with fairly new Continental Tech Contact TC6 tyres which are one of the more expensive non performance tyre in that class/size but it's still very easy to lose traction/aquaplane and severely understeer through roundabouts IF you are going quick in rain. Such is the nature of light cars and cheaper tyres in wet conditions.

    • Euphemistic on 15/02/2023 - 06:54

      Are you sure you aren't doing more like 30km/h+ through the roundabouts :D

      This. Humans are notoriously bad at guessing time/speed/distance. It would also be very unusual to start slipping on a roundabout and the first thing you do is check your speedo, there’s other things to do.

      Whatever the stipulation, if you’ve lost grip, you need to do it slower next time.

  • Kremleen on 16/02/2023 - 15:37

    Title says resolved but what's the resolution?

    • kerfuffle on 16/02/2023 - 16:00
      +1

      We have determined that OP can't drive.

      • Kremleen on 16/02/2023 - 16:02

        This needs to be pinned! Thank you. Now I can scroll Ozbargain in peace

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