Getting off the line quicker

[Mk5 GTian]

I wondered if you could help me on this.

I'm struggling to get off the line from stand still as quickly as I'd like. I have come into a Mk5 from a Mk4 V6 4Motion, which was brilliant to get away, due to the 4wd and instant traction. I'd simply release the clutch quickly, with the throttle going in the other direction at the same speed, and I'd be gone, often embarassing far more powerful motors.

All I'm getting is wheelspin when I try this in my manual MK5. I'd really appreciate your descriptions of your techniques to balance speed of clutch off / power on to get away as quickly as possible without spinning the front wheels. Meanwhile, I'm off to go and practice! 

[Oli]

Short shifting is the way forward at this time of year!

[Mk5 GTian]

Cheers Oli.

So you swap instant power and torque for grip, but I guess you need to get into second almost as soon as you're moving, without trying to get too much power down whilst in first?

[winrya]

As above, short shifting but also tyre choice makes a massive difference in wet and cold conditions. Make sure you're running good quality tyres

[GolfGIT]

As above, shirt shifting lifting but also tyre choice makes a massive difference in wet and cold conditions. Make sure you're running good quality tyres

Are you getting off topic?

[Tfsi_Mike]

As above, shirt shifting lifting but also tyre choice makes a massive difference in wet and cold conditions. Make sure you're running good quality tyres

Are you getting off topic?

  I would say tyres aswell are a big factor

[winrya]

As above, shirt shifting lifting but also tyre choice makes a massive difference in wet and cold conditions. Make sure you're running good quality tyres

Are you getting off topic?

Haha, bloody iPhone 

[RobH]

Short shifting is the way forward at this time of year!

At any time of year

[Mk5 GTian]

Pirelli P Zero Rosso's, assymetric pattern with 1,000 miles on them, so I'm confident it's not a tyre issue.

I'm really looking for technical driving advice. I just went out and tried short shifting, getting into second earlier than I normally would, and that helped a bit, but I'd still really appreciate your experience with this.

[Top Cat]

Pirelli P Zero Rosso's, assymetric pattern with 1,000 miles on them, so I'm confident it's not a tyre issue.

I'm really looking for technical driving advice. I just went out and tried short shifting, getting into second earlier than I normally would, and that helped a bit, but I'd still really appreciate your experience with this.

Just practise, its hard to tell someone what to do with there feet.  It will be different technique every time the conditions change. Just try varying the launch revs.

[Dw1]

I'm no driving expert, but some thoughts...
You might want to check your geo, it might be out, and have it set up for best traction and contact patch for a straight line (this will compromise setup a bit for the corners).

The rest is about timing and how you use the throttle, as you accelerate the weight is being thrown to the rear of the car and reducing pressure on the front tyres, which reduces grip, when you change gear the weight will momentarily lurch forwards giving more grip, if you can be as smooth as possible going into second and progressively back on the power it will help to keep a bit more weight over the front compared to if you slammed the power back on, which would just over lighten the front reducing grip again.

The second area to think about is at what revs the turbo comes in and adjusting your throttle controll to make is as smooth as possible.

With your 4wd car you didn't have to worry as much about the weight being flung to the back as the car was getting extra grip and drive from the rear as you took off. It's the inherent weakness of FWD that makes launching harder.

That's my 2 pennies worth :D

[Mk5 GTian]

Can someone please explain technically how to use short-shifting in accelerating from stand-still to avoid wheel-spin?

For example, how quickly should you get into second gear? Is there an optimum rpm in first gear at which you should change up? Or is it a case of using first until you feel the car start to lose it's initial traction? I just tried it in my Mk5, and could use some advice!

I've never really had problems in the past. My Mark 2 16V was brilliant, and you could get all the power down quickly in any weather, and my last Mk4 was 4wd. Help me please, very frustrated!

 

[rich83]

Short shifting.

Changing gear at lower RPM. So on the GTI it would mean changing gear at about 3000rpm instead of 6500rpm.

[RobH]

Launch around 2000rpm foot to the floor as you may bog down otherwise. As soon as you lose traction change to second and keep your foot planted until its time for 3rd. Thats pretty much how i launch on the 1/4mile and did a 12 sec run

Tbh it defo does depend on tyres and how warm they are to what you can get away with when launching. R888s nice and warm you may get away with 3000rpm and later shift to second but you just have to feel for the grip.

I never short shift to third its very important to hit third in the "sweet spot" for a good run.

At this time of year, your never gonna be able to launch well your pretty much wasting your time tbh wait till summer

[gobbleplease]

I dont think the mk5 gti is a bad car for getting of the line tbh, sure more skill is envolved than the 4 motion.
Tyres are a big factor and this time of year doesnt help !
Although on a dry good day id fancy the gti over the 4 mo !
With a little extra power and rubbish tyres i was launching my gti to 60 in 5.6 seconds
And my edition 30 was doing it in 5.2 secs and i wasnt at all happy with the tyres,
I dont think you can just dump the clutch and stomp on the accelerator i found that you need to be progressive with the throttle and thats in perfect conditions, in the damp and wet i never even tryed tbh