## What is Torque Steer?
Torque steer is a phenomenon that occurs when a vehicle’s engine produces more torque than the tires can handle, causing the steering wheel to pull to one side. This can be a dangerous situation, especially at high speeds or when making sudden maneuvers.
Torque steer is most common in front-wheel-drive vehicles, but it can also occur in rear-wheel-drive vehicles with high-performance engines. The amount of torque steer a vehicle experiences depends on a number of factors, including the engine’s power, the weight of the vehicle, and the type of tires being used.
## What Causes Torque Steer?
Torque steer is caused by the twisting force of the engine, which is transmitted through the drivetrain to the wheels. When the engine produces more torque than the tires can handle, the tires will slip and lose traction. This causes the steering wheel to pull to the side, as the tires try to regain their grip.
The amount of torque steer a vehicle experiences depends on a number of factors, including:
Engine power: The more powerful the engine, the more torque it will produce. This means that vehicles with high-performance engines are more likely to experience torque steer.
Vehicle weight: The heavier the vehicle, the more difficult it will be for the tires to handle the engine’s torque. This is because the tires will have to work harder to overcome the vehicle’s inertia.
Tire type: The type of tires being used can also affect the amount of torque steer a vehicle experiences. Wider tires, which have more surface area, will be able to handle more torque than narrower tires.
## Is a Car with a Torque Steer a Lemon?
Whether or not a car with a torque steer is a lemon depends on the severity of the problem. If the torque steer is mild, it may not be a major concern. However, if the torque steer is severe, it can be a dangerous situation and may make the car difficult to drive.
If you are considering buying a car with a torque steer, it is important to test drive the car and see how it handles. If the torque steer is severe, you may want to consider another car.
## How to Reduce Torque Steer
There are a number of things you can do to reduce torque steer in your car, including:
Use wider tires: Wider tires will be able to handle more torque than narrower tires. This is because wider tires have more surface area, which gives them more grip.
Increase the tire pressure: Increasing the tire pressure will help the tires to maintain their shape and grip the road better. This can reduce the amount of torque steer.
Get an alignment: A proper alignment will help to ensure that the tires are making even contact with the road. This can reduce the amount of torque steer.
Install a torque steer corrector: A torque steer corrector is a device that helps to reduce the amount of torque steer by applying a counterforce to the steering wheel.
## Conclusion
Torque steer is a phenomenon that can occur when a vehicle’s engine produces more torque than the tires can handle. This can cause the steering wheel to pull to one side, which can be a dangerous situation. The amount of torque steer a vehicle experiences depends on a number of factors, including the engine’s power, the weight of the vehicle, and the type of tires being used.
If you are considering buying a car with a torque steer, it is important to test drive the car and see how it handles. If the torque steer is severe, you may want to consider another car. There are a number of things you can do to reduce torque steer in your car, such as using wider tires, increasing the tire pressure, getting an alignment, or installing a torque steer corrector.