Lost traction on the highway

michail71 · Jul 7, 2018

This was a learning experience tonight but I was driving rather cautiously in the rain tonight on the highway. I was doing about 55-60 in a 65 zone. I needed to get past a car that kept hanging out in my blind spot so I gave the car some gas. The next thing I know the back end kicked way out to the right in what felt like some extreme wheel hop.

I got control really quick but am curious about what happened.

I figured this would be a good place to post and get some feedback.

NightmareMoon · Jul 7, 2018

400 horsepower so you need to have some discipline with the go pedal. In low grip situations (wet or cornering), the car can break traction at higher speeds if you give it the full monty. Some roads are slicker than others too.

What tires are you running and how old are they?

BmacIL · Jul 7, 2018

If stock tires, the 2018s with the 20" wheel package get the craptastic Pzero Nero A/S. That tire is pretty bad in the rain. My car gave me a scare not long after owning it, similar to what you're describing, on the same tires. The car demands respect.

SteveW · Jul 8, 2018

Also, the A10 may have dropped a few gears when you gassed it, which would be great in the dry but I could see how that would be hard to handle in the wet.

Would there be a way to make these 18 A10s hold a higher gear when it's wet out?

moffetts · Jul 8, 2018

I've wondered about how the A10s (and A6s to a lesser extent) handle situations like this, especially in the wet and with drivers who aren't ready for all of the power to hit.

69mach1-395 · Jul 8, 2018

How about wet mode?

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

NightmareMoon said:
400 horsepower so you need to have some discipline with the go pedal. In low grip situations (wet or cornering), the car can break traction at higher speeds if you give it the full monty. Some roads are slicker than others too.

What tires are you running and how old are they?

They are the factory goodyear 20". They have been surprisingly good so far.

When these are done I wanted to go to Michelin PSS.

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

SteveW said:
Also, the A10 may have dropped a few gears when you gassed it, which would be great in the dry but I could see how that would be hard to handle in the wet.

Would there be a way to make these 18 A10s hold a higher gear when it's wet out?

Yes, it did drop a couple gears. I think the wet mode would solve for that but it's a bit of a pain to get to. I've used it for my son who is learning to drive.

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

Aside from some more respect for the power and better wet tires is there anything else that could help? Such as bracing for wheel hop?

I was driving cautiously too at the time in Normal + D mode. Most of the traffic was flying by me in the wet conditions. The throttle just caught me by surprise.

This makes me want to take some HPDE training.

SteveW · Jul 8, 2018

michail71 said:
Aside from some more respect for the power and better wet tires is there anything else that could help? Such as bracing for wheel hop?

I was driving cautiously too at the time in Normal + D mode. Most of the traffic was flying by me in the wet conditions. The throttle just caught me by surprise.

This makes me want to take some HPDE training.

The last thing you said is best, otherwise known as "driver-mod". Go find some autocross events and track days. Much fun and good learning experiences

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

Out of curiosity what is the best way to handle the situation?

When the back end swung out I dropped the throttle and turned into the slide. Once I felt traction I straightened the wheel I gave it some light throttle and all was ok.

By the time it was over I had made a 1/4 to 1/2 lane change. It was well under 2 seconds.

My RPM range when the back end went was probably around 3500-4000K. I've been driving a hell of a long time but I've never experienced that except from a complete standstill.

BmacIL · Jul 8, 2018

michail71 said:
Out of curiosity what is the best way to handle the situation?

When the back end swung out I dropped the throttle and turned into the slide. Once I felt traction I straightened the wheel I gave it some light throttle and all was ok.

By the time it was over I had made a 1/4 to 1/2 lane change. It was well under 2 seconds.

My RPM range when the back end went was probably around 3500-4000K. I've been driving a hell of a long time but I've never experienced that except from a complete standstill.

Never chop the throttle when the back is sliding, as it only transfers weight to the front of the car and makes it worse (this is what happens in most of the cars and coffee incidents...). Do countersteer, but just reduce throttle, not lift entirely. Keeping on the power keeps the weight on the back.

Definitely do some autocross and HPDE. It's the best way to learn the car and improve your skills. I just got back from autocross today, actually.

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

I was contemplating that but in the moment it's tough. I knew enough not to brake at least. Although it is why I got back on the throttle after the countersteer.

What is a car and coffee incident?

Intersting stuff!

Jimmy G · Jul 8, 2018

michail71 said:
What is a car and coffee incident?

This:

[ame]

michail71 · Jul 8, 2018

Oh wow, that was tough to watch. Many of those started off exactly the same way with the back end kicking out to the right. Except most of them veered back hard to the left.

I somehow pulled the front end of my car back in alignment with the rear. Being an A10 may have helped as perhaps many hit the clutch or brake in that situation?

Lost traction on the highway

michail71

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NightmareMoon

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BmacIL

Enginerd

SteveW

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moffetts

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69mach1-395

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michail71

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michail71

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michail71

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SteveW

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michail71

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BmacIL

Enginerd

michail71

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Jimmy G

Hangin' about, waitin'..

michail71

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