Mk7 Zetec S and wet weather

[la3195]

My ZS seems great in the wet, and it's been driven in some terrible weather over this last month.

[MarkyR]

I have the street pack on my ZS so have ESP and the 17" wheels and I have to say it's been fine? I've not noticed much difference at all really.

[sussex]

Right, would like to add an update!

Last night at around 11pm on a wet road with wet leaves etc on the road, doing 60 on single carriage way, round a slight bend to find 2 stag/deer (which ever they were big!) in the road, I thought to brake but I wouldnt have stopped in time so had to swerve hard and late, I did so and I have to say the performance was absolutely brilliant, the stearing, the handling and the grip I couldnt fault, I really thought I was going to lose it when I did swerve, but the car never felt out of control and for me personally thats the toughest test Ive goven my MK7.

Only personal experience but I have 100% confidence in thr MK7, especially in the wet.

[AndrewL]

God that sounds a bit frightening - you've got the 17's haven't you Sussex? In a way that's put my mind at rest a bit, my current car handles like a go-kart and from reading this thread I was getting a bit worried that the mk 7 would feel a bit 'dead' to drive.

[sussex]

Yup I am running on the x-pack 17" with bridgestone tyres. Don't fear a thing AndrewL, the MK7 is far from dead to drive, responsive, fun, and, from last night, safe.

You won't regret a thing, I went from a MK6 to the MK7, wondered if i'd done the right thing as I waited and waited to take delivery but have never looked back, the 2 are chalk and cheese (in my view)

[AndrewL]

Woohoo! For some reason that post made me really excited about my new one - think it made me realise that it's actually a whole new car, not just my mk6 that looks a bit better!

[harvyeg77]

HI guys,

Love the Mk7 Fiesta and fancy one as a second car to replace my wife's Astra.

I have a Mk4 Mondeo Tit-X TDCi with sport pack and chipped. It is running Conti Sport Contact2s (as did my Renault Sport Clio 172) they are a great tyre for grip and are not too noisy, though they are softish and will wear out quicker than say a Michelin or Goodyear, but they GRIP!

Their does seem to be a mix of opinion, some say its great in the wet others terrible. To get the best out of it and be safe you do need to check your tyre pressures regularly and also ensure the suspension is properly aligned. When you get new rubber get the best available. No matter how good the suspension, brakes or engine, the only thing transmitting that to the road is the tyres!

The only other variable then would have to be the driver! I started driving 15 years ago in a 1.2 Nova running 145/80r13 tyres, I swapped these to 165/70r13 to gain more traction as it would run wide on a island at moderate speed in the wet. But with experience/age I learnt to better judge the conditions, speed, control my throttle and braking etc. and then with more modern cars the tyres are so grippy and wide that I never have a problem anymore ;-) My Clio only had 195 tyres (think they were 195/45r16s) but it had tenacious grip and handled appalling weather with ease (though not snow/ice).

I honestly doubt that Ford will have produced a duffer with the Mk7 as they have too much riding on it. If you feel it is worse than the older Fiesta's you need to understand that up to and including the Mk6 they used hydraulic power steering, which Ford were masters at making work very well. Where as the Mk7 now uses an electronic power steering system developed by TRW. EPS is notorious for not providing the same feedback as hydraulic systems.

Harvey

[sussex]

How is everyone getting on with their MK7's at the moment gives the horrendous rain and wind we have?

[irononreverse]

How is everyone getting on with their MK7's at the moment gives the horrendous rain and wind we have?

Everything's been fine and dandy even though it isn't a Zetec S. Did manage to get a teeny bit of wheel spin pulling away from a junction, which was exciting.

[hedgepig]

The mK 7 is a lot lighter than the 6.5 to improve fuel efficiency,the downside of a lighter car is it doesnt have the weight to give it good grip to the road,

Have you thought of filling the back of the car with sandbags

Far cheaper than buying specialised tyres and it will increase the rear grip no problem

dave

I just put Mrs Hedgepig in the car and it sticks to the road like the proverbial to a blanket!!!

Seriously though, why not just drive to suit the conditions?

Simples!

[irononreverse]

I just put Mrs Hedgepig in the car and it sticks to the road like the proverbial to a blanket!!!

Seriously though, why not just drive to suit the conditions?

Simples!

Because that is waaaaaaay to simple and assumes a certain standard of common sense! I, for example, only ever drive in first gear because I am too lazy to change it, don't use the wipers because they obscure my view when they wipe past and as for indicators; PAH!!

[MarkyR]

does the car handle better with the tyres pumped to the 35 and 46 psi levels?

[MarkyR]

does the car handle better with the tyres pumped to the 35 and 46 psi levels?

Bump. Anyone?? :( :(

[DanGull]

Bump. Anyone?? :( :(

I can't say I notice a difference in handling - for me it does increase fuel economy on motorway driving however.

[MarkyR]

I can't say I notice a difference in handling - for me it does increase fuel economy on motorway driving however.

Thanks Dan. I pumped them up and just went for a drive, hmm, plus and minus really. I drove along country and A roads with twists and turns where I live and went towards work. I didn't like it really.

I think I'll set them back to 32 and then set the back to 27 as they were on that before and felt ok. I'm still finding these settings a bit strange as 26 to 41 is a massive difference?