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Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo pulling to the left
My 2013 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.6 tdi has been pulling to the left since I picked up the car (pre-registered with 20 miles on the clock) four months ago.
If I hold the steering wheel straight the car will move to the left. So to drive straight I have to turn the wheel to the right a little.
It seems that I am not alone. An internet search reveals several other Monte Carlo owners with the same problem. Even the dealer I go to has said they have had other similar complaints.
It has been into the dealer 4 times for a total of 10 days and it is still not fixed.
Several alignments were first carried out. These made no difference.
Then Skoda authorised changing all four Dunlop tyres for Pirelli tyres.
This change of tyres has cured the problem for some people, but not my car. However, it is better. The pull to the left is not as severe as it was but it is still there. They then aligned the car again. Still no change.
Today I have been to an independent garage to have all four-wheels aligned on a Hunter machine. It was out on the front toe. This was adjusted, but driving home it still wants to go left.
Incidentally, I have had three different loan cars (two Roomsters and an Octavia) whilst the car has been in the garage and none of them. I also have not noticed this problem on any other car I have owned.
I don't really know what to do now:
1) Should I give the car back to Skoda Dealer and ask for my money back as they have not fixed a problem I notified them of a few days after collecting the car.
2) Go to another dealer and start again?
3) Am I being too sensitive and is it ok for the car to move this way? Or indeed is it behaving as it should?
I am not convinced it was ever a tyre related problem it fells more like a design fault in the car.
If I hold the steering wheel straight the car will move to the left. So to drive straight I have to turn the wheel to the right a little.
It seems that I am not alone. An internet search reveals several other Monte Carlo owners with the same problem. Even the dealer I go to has said they have had other similar complaints.
It has been into the dealer 4 times for a total of 10 days and it is still not fixed.
Several alignments were first carried out. These made no difference.
Then Skoda authorised changing all four Dunlop tyres for Pirelli tyres.
This change of tyres has cured the problem for some people, but not my car. However, it is better. The pull to the left is not as severe as it was but it is still there. They then aligned the car again. Still no change.
Today I have been to an independent garage to have all four-wheels aligned on a Hunter machine. It was out on the front toe. This was adjusted, but driving home it still wants to go left.
Incidentally, I have had three different loan cars (two Roomsters and an Octavia) whilst the car has been in the garage and none of them. I also have not noticed this problem on any other car I have owned.
I don't really know what to do now:
1) Should I give the car back to Skoda Dealer and ask for my money back as they have not fixed a problem I notified them of a few days after collecting the car.
2) Go to another dealer and start again?
3) Am I being too sensitive and is it ok for the car to move this way? Or indeed is it behaving as it should?
I am not convinced it was ever a tyre related problem it fells more like a design fault in the car.
Asked on 19 December 2013 by m4rky
Answered by
Honest John
This suggests that there is something fundamentally wrong with the car. The Fabia Monte Carlo is fitted with 17-inch 'Trinity' alloy wheels with 205/40 R17 tyres and these are probably the reason for your problems.
When low profile tyres are fitted to a model to which they are not suited they will exaggerate the natural pull to the left caused by the camber of the road, or, indeed, any shortcomings in the assembly of the suspension of the car. You might be able to persuade the dealer to fit a more sensible set of 15 or 16-inch wheels and tyres to the car.
When low profile tyres are fitted to a model to which they are not suited they will exaggerate the natural pull to the left caused by the camber of the road, or, indeed, any shortcomings in the assembly of the suspension of the car. You might be able to persuade the dealer to fit a more sensible set of 15 or 16-inch wheels and tyres to the car.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
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