GR86 Jerky acceleration when cold?

[SJR202]

Quite likely similar to the clutch thread, Im finding the throttle very jerky when the engine is cold as in first thing in the morning when the blue 'warning light' is on, trying to drive off smoothly is almost kangaroo effect unless you push the throttle much further which then basically launches the car down the street but even then not totally smooth, once warm and its fine (well other than 90% of throttle in 1" of travel!), Im just not enjoying the first 5 mins and feels something isnt quite right but have no 86 to compare it to as the demo car had just come back from the petrol station when I drove that one. Not sure if it might be 'choke' related or just how they are but its a bit frustrating.

 

[Al CrystalBlack]

Voted not perfect but not an issue.
But that’s maybe just me as I’ve been driving an automatic pick-up for the last 16 years. Still getting the hang of a manual again.

 

[Conscript]

I've had similar before, although not sure if just when cold. Usually found it when accelerating quite quickly after being on partial throttle, like you say, it feels like you kind of catch the car out and then it overcompensates. Hard to explain. Don't think it's transmission related as I've only had it happen while in gear. I did wonder if maybe it was the traction control being a bit over protective and reigning the power in, but I'm not sure. Not a bit deal, doesn't happen often, but I'll try and keep a closer eye on it.

 

[SJR202]

Thanks guys, always interested in others thoughts, I'll get a c1000 mile oil change done and ask them to look into it, the more I think about it the more it doesnt seem right to be almost unable to pull away smoothly when engine is cold and I dont mean a bit abrupt as in you feel like you're a learner driver who cant manage the accelerator!

 

[JonBon]

Thanks guys, always interested in others thoughts, I'll get a c1000 mile oil change done and ask them to look into it, the more I think about it the more it doesnt seem right to be almost unable to pull away smoothly when engine is cold and I dont mean a bit abrupt as in you feel like you're a learner driver who cant manage the accelerator!

Hi, there is a thread where they have been talking about the throttle map. There is a device that can be fitted to alter the throttle response and make it more responsive and more progressive. Also there is a thread about the clutch, and fitting a lighter spring makes the clutch feel a bit heavier but improves the overall feel.

 

[BOOSTFAN]

Thanks guys, always interested in others thoughts, I'll get a c1000 mile oil change done and ask them to look into it, the more I think about it the more it doesnt seem right to be almost unable to pull away smoothly when engine is cold and I dont mean a bit abrupt as in you feel like you're a learner driver who cant manage the accelerator!

I have the same feeling, noticed that the tick-over is a bit lumpy too. The clutch is definitely taking some getting used to. Only done 200 miles so need to drive it some more & see if it settles down.

 

[ZN8]

It will kangaroo like mad on very light throttle when in 1st or 2nd, but its inconsistent, the old car did the same.

 

[BOOSTFAN]

It will kangaroo like mad on very light throttle when in 1st or 2nd, but its inconsistent, the old car did the same.

Are you saying it will always be like this? I never noticed this on our test drive, or the stiff suspension. But it was only a 30mins test drive!

 

[ZN8]

Are you saying it will always be like this? I never noticed this on our test drive, or the stiff suspension. But it was only a 30mins test drive!

Yeah but from my personal experience its happens rarely enough to be considered a problem and its something that tends to happen in the first couple of minutes of driving.

 

[Silver Fox]

I think it might take a little getting used to (depending what car you are coming from). The GT86 was the same.

 

[ZN8]

This car is the equivalent to a Tiger Moth in the plane world.

It has a reputation of being 'Easy to fly, difficult to fly well'

 

[Silver Fox]

This car is the equivalent to a Tiger Moth in the plane world.

It has a reputation of being 'Easy to fly, difficult to fly well'

View attachment 14889

Nice analogy - and coincidentally I wear exactly the same outfit when driving my GR86...

 

[Nick]

This car is the equivalent to a Tiger Moth in the plane world.

It has a reputation of being 'Easy to fly, difficult to fly well'

View attachment 14889

I think this is what I love about the car, every drive gives you a reason to try harder to master it, if I wanted it to be easy (but no fun) I'd have got an EV.

 

[FRAJ]

Quite likely similar to the clutch thread, Im finding the throttle very jerky when the engine is cold as in first thing in the morning when the blue 'warning light' is on, trying to drive off smoothly is almost kangaroo effect unless you push the throttle much further which then basically launches the car down the street but even then not totally smooth, once warm and its fine (well other than 90% of throttle in 1" of travel!), Im just not enjoying the first 5 mins and feels something isnt quite right but have no 86 to compare it to as the demo car had just come back from the petrol station when I drove that one. Not sure if it might be 'choke' related or just how they are but its a bit frustrating.

Similar feeling for me. Not a deal breaker, but definitely the combination of clutch pedal feel and throttle map esp when cold is a bit annoying. It must have been engineered like that for a reason and it can't please everyone all the time.

 

[Silver Fox]

I think this is what I love about the car, every drive gives you a reason to try harder to master it, if I wanted it to be easy (but no fun) I'd have got an EV.

Agree. Much like the predecessor, it makes you concentrate on your driving and (hopefully) you become better at it!

 

[RedHotPasty]

I think this is what I love about the car, every drive gives you a reason to try harder to master it, if I wanted it to be easy (but no fun) I'd have got an EV.

Sounds like the cars I drove in the 70s....most of them pigs to drive but loved every minute.....
This issue with throttle and clutch is music to my ears..... it'll make driving the 86 a pleasureable challenge...and one main reason to escape from the 'comfiness' and tech assisted cars of today......

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

The 86 is a car that trains it's driver

 

[JonBon]

Agree. Much like the predecessor, it makes you concentrate on your driving and (hopefully) you become better at it!

IMHO, one of the key differences between the GR86 and the GT86 was the tyres. I think the GT86 with its 17" wheels was able to soak up the smaller bumps. This was most noticeable for me when on the M25 driving over the sections of the motorway that are the beige not tarmac. The GT86 rode this surface far better.

 

[jb1750]

Agree. Much like the predecessor, it makes you concentrate on your driving and (hopefully) you become better at it!

Nah, I think that’s fine if it’s tricky to master for a good reason, like for some other dynamic benefit, or because that’s as good as the designers / engineers could achieve, but I don’t think that’s the case here - (and I love driving tuned 60s & 70s stuff...) I reckon a more progressive map would’ve been easy to achieve, wouldn’t have impacted any other qualities and would provide a more natural / analog drive… I think overly aggressive initial throttle mapping is the opposite vibe to an old school intuitive setup and can feel really contrived. Yeah it can make a car seem more exciting on a test drive, but it can be a bit of a pain in the arse to live with
Basing this on a test drive btw, as I’m of course still waiting for delivery…

 

[Silver Fox]

Nah, I think that’s fine if it’s tricky to master for a good reason, like for some other dynamic benefit, or because that’s as good as the designers / engineers could achieve, but I don’t think that’s the case here - (and I love driving tuned 60s & 70s stuff...) I reckon a more progressive map would’ve been easy to achieve, wouldn’t have impacted any other qualities and would provide a more natural / analog drive… I think overly aggressive initial throttle mapping is the opposite vibe to an old school intuitive setup and can feel really contrived. Yeah it can make a car seem more exciting on a test drive, but it can be a bit of a pain in the arse to live with
Basing this on a test drive btw, as I’m of course still waiting for delivery…

You may well be right.

But, for me, the reported jerky throttle has not been an issue. I noticed it on my test drive and perhaps my first hundred miles or so, but here we are three months later (actually exactly three months today as it happens!) and 992 miles down and I can honestly say I'm very happy with the driving characteristics.