If you achieve maximum acceleration from a full stop (aka, floor it, pedal to the metal), do your tires squeal (also known as patching out, laying rubber, drifting, etc.)? What size and brand of rear tire do you have that may account for this effect? For example, on my 2004 XK8 I have stock Continental Extreme 255/40 ZR19 on the rear inflated to 34 PSI, and they lay a patch at will. I am wondering if this is a characteristic of the machine or of the choice of tire.

 

On cleanish, dryish asphalt, no. MIchelin Pilot Sport AS/3+ on all (245/45R18 on front, 255/45R18 on back)

 

Well yes, but as I learned it only happens:
1. Trac must be off or car self corrects for wheel spin quite effectively, even in snow. (But not on soft muddy lawns - trust me)

2. Tires worn down. This refers to my experience with the stock pirelli tires after 18 months.

3. Time of year. Around here the salt and sand the roads at the hint of any approaching snow. The sand makes it far easier to spin the tires with the open differential from a stop.

Gosh back when I first acquired this car I thought i was so cool. I could lay some rubber with ease! Little did I know it was a perfect combination of pretty worn pirellis and all that sand.

Now with experience I know the only time I'm going to spin the tires is if I press trac off, give her WOT, turning hard onto a road from a stop.

BTW, I noticed that you have continental xtreme contact. FWIW I've found them to be noticeably stickier than the Pirelli both at an absolute, and towards the end of life. Though If I was rich enough to buy tires that cost at least twice as much with a 1 yr life I'd choose the stock pirelli in a heartbeat. Just wonderful when they are new.

John

 

If the question is starting from a stop into a hard turn on a road with a small amount of sand, answer is yes". At speed too...

 

Never tried. It is far from a race car....

 

No spinning tires when TC is on. 2001 XKR vert. Haven’t tried with TC off. Michelin tires. Same setup as CRBass

 

Yes when trac control off and on a little gravel/sand or damp pavement. No on clean dry pavement with trac on. Tires are Kuhmo Ecsta SPTs on 20 inch rims.
I tried it a few times when I first got the car but haven't since. Not what I got the car for.

 

WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR DRIVETRAIN? Just asking for broken parts and massive expensive repairs! STOP!

 

OF Course they spin! Just step on it!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

In my experience, I found that old tires become hard over time and break loose with a hard throttle. I have had several sets of Continental Extreme Contact tires and never had a burnout. If your tires are old that may be a reason to check. As far as damage to the running gear, remember this is a heavy car and if it has a weak link, it is the transmission. My XK8 is on my 3rd transmission even though I'm probably guilty of "baby" ing them. Each time it's about a $6,500 pop. Almost the price of the car used. Parts and labor.