How do you drive in the rain?
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin, California
Originally Posted by kppc300
simple...take traction control off , turn steering wheel left and gun it!
. So i learned my lesson and i drive cautiously now unless i'm in an open area where it's impossible to hit anything.
Originally Posted by Rodeo
It've been lurking around these forums a lot and it seems like almost every "I wrecked my Z" story involves rain, which makes me wonder since I'm a novice with my Z. Any tips on driving in the rain? How does the rain affect your driving?
Thanks!
Thanks!
New Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
If you've got traction control, driving normally is a cinch. But, every once in a while, I turn it off in the rain just to break loose and have fun getting sideways. Why, you ask? Well, in the rain, you don't hurt your tires when you spin them as much as you do on dry pavement. So... It's an opportunity you just HAVE to take! Find an empty parking lot and just go crazy.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by SuperBlack350
I really don't know how other people are wrecking. The Z isn't a tail happy car like that. Make sure you have decent set of tires. That's probably most important. I see mustangs on the roads with horrible tires and they still seem to manage.
Don't accelerate hard on turns. Just drive normal. I don't see how people really wreck in the rain. If you have tcs and vdc, keep it on.
Don't accelerate hard on turns. Just drive normal. I don't see how people really wreck in the rain. If you have tcs and vdc, keep it on.
Totally agree. My first gen Miata would spin out in a sprinkler head puddle. But Z handles it well, especially with traction control on. I dont see the problem. Just easy into turns, dont over rev and for gods sake dont slam the breaks. I dont know how many morons I see drive with the brakes depressed constantly when its raining.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: NC
I just wish it WOULD rain! Two months with no rain here. Water use restrictions, boat launches closed, a resturant can't even serve a glass of water unless requested. I'd love a chance to drive in the rain. 
New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 143
From: Tucson, Arizona
Originally Posted by Spike100
Here is how you keep out of trouble running the Z in the rain or on wet roadways:
1) Run on good tires with the proper inflation (35 psi for the Z).
2) Never run overly-inflated tires (40 psi on the Z is too high).
3) Never run worn tires (front or rears). Worn rear tires are probably the worst case.
4) Maintain constant and uniform power when the roadway is wet.
... It's all about the tires.
--Spike
1) Run on good tires with the proper inflation (35 psi for the Z).
2) Never run overly-inflated tires (40 psi on the Z is too high).
3) Never run worn tires (front or rears). Worn rear tires are probably the worst case.
4) Maintain constant and uniform power when the roadway is wet.
... It's all about the tires.
--Spike
Just be extra careful with tire pressure, and be extra mindful of the power under your right foot. And +1 on proper tire pressures. I know someone who managed to total their car by losing control and crashing due to under-inflated tires with low tread. I seem to get alot of opportunities to drive the Z in the rain here in Vancouver 
Originally Posted by HitLines
VDC on = √
Personal driving limitations = √
Car/tire limitations = √
Shear physics of oily/wet road = √
Let the big SUVs pass you all you want in wet conditions — it's the only time they get to!
Personal driving limitations = √
Car/tire limitations = √
Shear physics of oily/wet road = √
Let the big SUVs pass you all you want in wet conditions — it's the only time they get to!
+1. great post!
Originally Posted by trains1937
+1 and keep your eye out for the other guy, particularly in Arizona where most of the driver's don't know how to drive in the rain.
dammit Bob, Tucson is exactly where im living next. dont tell me that! 
but thats how people in Texas are too...HORRIBLE in the rain. you should see some of the idiots here in Alaska. they drive like theres no snow or ice on the road. 