big scare need driving advice
It could have been a fluke situation. Maybe something like an oil residue on the ground. The z is my first rear wheel drive car too and I have had my fair share of close calls but I noticed that the car primarily loses traction in the wet on slight inclines and on certain types of blacktop(the new stuff). I have tried to break loose purposely to learn the cars limits and the street surface can really make a HUGEdifference. Like said above smooth acceleration is key in the rain and since you have an auto it shouldnt shift hard enough for you to break loose. Another thing if you were only going 20 mph or so and your car didnt catch after the second correction either its time for some new/different tires or you may not have lifted off the throttle enough.
Sounds like you have some horrible tires for wet traction. +1 on the Nitto 555's being down right dangerous in the rain.
Originally Posted by rkemp1
It could have been a fluke situation. Maybe something like an oil residue on the ground. The z is my first rear wheel drive car too and I have had my fair share of close calls but I noticed that the car primarily loses traction in the wet on slight inclines and on certain types of blacktop(the new stuff). I have tried to break loose purposely to learn the cars limits and the street surface can really make a HUGEdifference. Like said above smooth acceleration is key in the rain and since you have an auto it shouldnt shift hard enough for you to break loose. Another thing if you were only going 20 mph or so and your car didnt catch after the second correction either its time for some new/different tires or you may not have lifted off the throttle enough.
I had a similar experience on Saturday in the rain. I was like WTF, because I have pretty new Goodyear Eagle GS-D3's which are awesome in the rain. Then I had it kick out a little bit again on Monday, on dry pavement going less than 20 mph, and not under hard acceleration! I was *really* like WTF at that point.
They're ripping up all the roads in my neighborhood and re-paving. Turns out I had tons of tiny rock particles embedded in the surface of my tire. A good burnout cured that problem, and it's back to handling great in the dry and the wet.
I guess rock doesn't grip nearly as well as rubber. Go figure.
They're ripping up all the roads in my neighborhood and re-paving. Turns out I had tons of tiny rock particles embedded in the surface of my tire. A good burnout cured that problem, and it's back to handling great in the dry and the wet.
I guess rock doesn't grip nearly as well as rubber. Go figure.
Do everything smoothly.
Acelerate, brake, shift, turn, etc...
Also,
- Do not shift on a turn.
- Do not turn on neutral.
- Do not stare at women.
- Try to go on a higher gear that what you should.
- Do not listen to what I say.
Acelerate, brake, shift, turn, etc...
Also,
- Do not shift on a turn.
- Do not turn on neutral.
- Do not stare at women.
- Try to go on a higher gear that what you should.
- Do not listen to what I say.
A lot of people have said that you should not loose traction at that speed but throttle oversteer is easy at lower speeds. (It's, hard to break the tires loose at 70 with the throttle unless you have a lot more power than stock.)
Add in a slick road, and the throttle becomes a hair-trigger spin starter.
When I autocross in the rain, I try to get out of the lower gears kind of early. (Short shift) But, while this makes it a little harder for your tires to break loose, if they do break loose, your tires could end up spinning much faster than the car is actually moving, and end up making more of a "mess". (If you stay in the throttle after you lose traction.)
When you start to lose traction, your steering inputs and your throttle inputs have to be correct. It sounds like you did a good job with your steering but the constant back-and-forth motion of the rear sounds like you didn't back off the throttle enough. It's important, on slick surfaces, to anticipate the rear tires breaking loose when you have to turn and/or apply throttle. (Such as turning from a stop) Be ready to counter-steer and gently, but quickly, back off of the throttle when the rear wants to step out.
Here is a video of an experienced autocrosser driving my Z. He was used to driving his Miata with race rubber. When he got into my Z, on street tires, he had more power and less traction than he was used to.
It takes him less than 10 seconds to spin her out.
You can see him make a modest attempt at counter-steer, but if you listen close, you will hear him stay in the throttle too long.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_6Ei5j9YY
Practice in a safe location is the best advice. Good luck.
Add in a slick road, and the throttle becomes a hair-trigger spin starter.
When I autocross in the rain, I try to get out of the lower gears kind of early. (Short shift) But, while this makes it a little harder for your tires to break loose, if they do break loose, your tires could end up spinning much faster than the car is actually moving, and end up making more of a "mess". (If you stay in the throttle after you lose traction.)
When you start to lose traction, your steering inputs and your throttle inputs have to be correct. It sounds like you did a good job with your steering but the constant back-and-forth motion of the rear sounds like you didn't back off the throttle enough. It's important, on slick surfaces, to anticipate the rear tires breaking loose when you have to turn and/or apply throttle. (Such as turning from a stop) Be ready to counter-steer and gently, but quickly, back off of the throttle when the rear wants to step out.
Here is a video of an experienced autocrosser driving my Z. He was used to driving his Miata with race rubber. When he got into my Z, on street tires, he had more power and less traction than he was used to.
It takes him less than 10 seconds to spin her out.
You can see him make a modest attempt at counter-steer, but if you listen close, you will hear him stay in the throttle too long.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_6Ei5j9YY
Practice in a safe location is the best advice. Good luck.
Last edited by Z1NONLY; Jun 20, 2008 at 10:17 AM.
Originally Posted by ajcool2
Yeah I've driven through oil before and it is definatly scary as hell. Once I was going down the highway doing about 65-70 and gas started spewing out of a UPS truck and my car was slowly sliding to the right and there was nothing I could do. Luckily I got traction somehow and didnt go off the road.
Originally Posted by davidv
What kind of tires?
How many miles on the tires?
How many miles on the tires?
Also, are you modded? If so, how much power you putting to the rear wheels? What gear were you in when you were in your turn?
I've had OEM tires for over 2 years. yeah they are aren't the best. I think I'd rate them at 6.5 or 7 out of 10.
on a side note..I got some new Eagle F1 All Seasons....hoping to mount them this weekend. GIGGIDY GIGGIDY!
Thread Starter
SpecOneSociety
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From: Woodbridge,Va
Ok the tires wher NITTO ... exsomething lol i have an auto .. thinking after a while i look back... i actually went back when it was dry ... i think i almost took the turn closer to a 90Deg angle ... that could of been the reason why...
Go buy new tires. www.tirerack.com is your friend.
Don't Buy MAYPOP Tires..
Don't Buy MAYPOP Tires..
Originally Posted by Lv2DC_Z
Well coming out the back gate today at the base. I was at a light turning onto route 3? well it just started raining. I sat there at the light while the rain covered the ground. I spun my tires b4 so I didnt want to do the same in the rain. I slightly put my foot on the gas and my slip light came on. Ok so I let off.
When i made the left turn at about 20 mph my back end slipped out to the right. I slightly corrected to the right then it swung left. corrected left. I was at about 25-27 mph when this was happening. I did this about 4-5 times. Luckily no one was next to me because my tail was sliding to either lane on both sides. I am confused what cause this.
I did not floor it to cause this. I know its raining and slick but what more can I do so that my car will not do this again. Can you also tell me how to correct it when it starts like that again. I was pretty shaken up after it, stayin about 5 under the speed limit all the way home. Remember this is my first RWD car. Thanks you.
When i made the left turn at about 20 mph my back end slipped out to the right. I slightly corrected to the right then it swung left. corrected left. I was at about 25-27 mph when this was happening. I did this about 4-5 times. Luckily no one was next to me because my tail was sliding to either lane on both sides. I am confused what cause this.
I did not floor it to cause this. I know its raining and slick but what more can I do so that my car will not do this again. Can you also tell me how to correct it when it starts like that again. I was pretty shaken up after it, stayin about 5 under the speed limit all the way home. Remember this is my first RWD car. Thanks you.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Dameron, MD
On base and comming off base here in Patuxent River the road is just slippery at intersections. I'm talking about the rear end will slide doing 15mph in 2nd gears at like 1/4 throttle. It's just because there is sooooo many people comming on and off base the road is so smooth. Maybe this is your problem. I have stock RE050A's and they stick great except in these spots. When it rains...forget about it.
-Scott
-Scott
Originally Posted by 416NismoZ
On base and comming off base here in Patuxent River the road is just slippery at intersections. I'm talking about the rear end will slide doing 15mph in 2nd gears at like 1/4 throttle. It's just because there is sooooo many people comming on and off base the road is so smooth. Maybe this is your problem. I have stock RE050A's and they stick great except in these spots. When it rains...forget about it.
-Scott
-Scott
Originally Posted by j.arnaldo
Always keep your VDC and/or Track Control system(s) on! Even on dry pave-
ment.
ment.
I'm always stumped when I see threads like this. If anyone wants to get their **** to pucker up, try coming to a fast stop at an intersection on a motorcycle right after it starts raining, There's so much crap on the roads from the cars, it's not even funny.
To the OP, next time it snows, take your car out and have fun. I use to drive an 86 toyota pick up when it snowed to keep my car off the roads due to salt and such. having a tiny pickup with no weight in the back and crappy tires, trust me, you learn fast how to deal with a rear end that never stays put.
Originally Posted by jeffie7
I have a base and couldn't be happier with out computer aid, my car will get sideways in 2nd gear if I mash the throttle, even more reason to NOT have it on.
I'm always stumped when I see threads like this. If anyone wants to get their **** to pucker up, try coming to a fast stop at an intersection on a motorcycle right after it starts raining, There's so much crap on the roads from the cars, it's not even funny.
To the OP, next time it snows, take your car out and have fun. I use to drive an 86 toyota pick up when it snowed to keep my car off the roads due to salt and such. having a tiny pickup with no weight in the back and crappy tires, trust me, you learn fast how to deal with a rear end that never stays put.
I'm always stumped when I see threads like this. If anyone wants to get their **** to pucker up, try coming to a fast stop at an intersection on a motorcycle right after it starts raining, There's so much crap on the roads from the cars, it's not even funny.
To the OP, next time it snows, take your car out and have fun. I use to drive an 86 toyota pick up when it snowed to keep my car off the roads due to salt and such. having a tiny pickup with no weight in the back and crappy tires, trust me, you learn fast how to deal with a rear end that never stays put.
Agreed. I rarely drive with my VDC ON. I always turn it off.
The only time I leave it on is if I turn cruise control on and its raining. Thats it.
Other than that, I've had it cut power in the worst situations like this for instance:
I was taking an exit ramp a little faster than normal (80ish) and a deer came out, so I cornered hard onto the inside of the ramp to avoid the deer only for my traction control to kick on, kill the power, send me flying to the other side of the road ALMOST hitting the deer I was avoiding and ALMOST sending me flying over the ramp into a bunch of trees.
Since then, first thing I do is put my seat belt on. Second thing I do is push my VDC off button.
I'd recommend using this informative video guide on drifting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2IWxqvsSY8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2IWxqvsSY8
Last edited by blazefast; Jun 21, 2008 at 01:36 PM.
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