accel
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- #1
After reading this topic
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/lost-traction-on-the-highway.106446/
I recalled a situation I got myself into awhile ago. But still remember it..
I attach a drawing so that it makes it easier to visualize.
I was driving behind a slow car on freeway entrance ramp in the right lane but after some hesitation decided to switch to the left lane and enter a freeway ahead of the slow car.
I was not local to the area and did not realize that freeway entrance ramp becomes decreasing radius for the left line, plus, it tilts outwards.
The speed as we were approaching the bend was not critical, probably around or under 30 mph, but I will not lie, rhere were lateral Gs. As we were exiting the curve I was half body in front of the car to the right from me and already had been experiencing decreased radius and unnatural tilt, so I knew I was on shakey ground.
Either the guy to the right from me had to reduce speed or I needed to slightly accelerate for us to merge. It might be that he didn't want me to pass him.
Since I was in fault for the whole situation and the other driver did not brake, I decided to accelerate _slightly_, just enough to pass his car completely.
I actually went ahead of him and with some padding behind, but shortly after that lost my rear end. Despite unfavorable in general for my mustang situation I absolutely did not expect this to happen. Throttle input was gentle, barely enough to finish the pass, speed was not all that critical.
My car oversteered and was moving towards metal divider to the right of me at an approx 30 degree angle and that was the scariest part. The divider was going to hit somewhere in the center of the front eith its edge.
I slightly released throttle (not sure to which degree though) and was countersteering. After some hesitation the stang sort of caught up with traction and started slow rotation to the opposite direction. Rotation became faster and faster (whew!, not facing the beginning of fence anymore!) and ended up with a swing to the left which was much easier to catch and after a couple more I stabilized and merged freeway. Drove home slowly and sadly. Luckily noone got involved.
The car is manual stock GT PP with staggered oem pirellis. Dry weather, not cold, but not hot either.
I was bringing my car to autocross with the same setup, was giving it much harder life and it was not exposing misbehavior similar to what happened.
Due to the way my car is sitting in a garage I have easy access to left side wheels. But this time I went around and realized two things:
- right rear tire was almost done. much worse that left tire. But even left one was not in its best shape. Front tires were pretty good shape.
- I tend to overinflate tires and wear pattern shows that it is not a good idea for a mustang. Rears have explicit mostly center of the thread wear. That means that especially in situations when your car experiences lateral Gs and lifts off the rear, only part of your tire is in touch with pavement. I checked hpde forum and people recommend stock pressure for autox/track. Another argument to keep pressure stock.
So... check your rears. If they are not in a good shape anymore, keep your temper in check. You might be caught by a surprise.
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/lost-traction-on-the-highway.106446/
I recalled a situation I got myself into awhile ago. But still remember it..
I attach a drawing so that it makes it easier to visualize.
I was driving behind a slow car on freeway entrance ramp in the right lane but after some hesitation decided to switch to the left lane and enter a freeway ahead of the slow car.
I was not local to the area and did not realize that freeway entrance ramp becomes decreasing radius for the left line, plus, it tilts outwards.
The speed as we were approaching the bend was not critical, probably around or under 30 mph, but I will not lie, rhere were lateral Gs. As we were exiting the curve I was half body in front of the car to the right from me and already had been experiencing decreased radius and unnatural tilt, so I knew I was on shakey ground.
Either the guy to the right from me had to reduce speed or I needed to slightly accelerate for us to merge. It might be that he didn't want me to pass him.
Since I was in fault for the whole situation and the other driver did not brake, I decided to accelerate _slightly_, just enough to pass his car completely.
I actually went ahead of him and with some padding behind, but shortly after that lost my rear end. Despite unfavorable in general for my mustang situation I absolutely did not expect this to happen. Throttle input was gentle, barely enough to finish the pass, speed was not all that critical.
My car oversteered and was moving towards metal divider to the right of me at an approx 30 degree angle and that was the scariest part. The divider was going to hit somewhere in the center of the front eith its edge.
I slightly released throttle (not sure to which degree though) and was countersteering. After some hesitation the stang sort of caught up with traction and started slow rotation to the opposite direction. Rotation became faster and faster (whew!, not facing the beginning of fence anymore!) and ended up with a swing to the left which was much easier to catch and after a couple more I stabilized and merged freeway. Drove home slowly and sadly. Luckily noone got involved.
The car is manual stock GT PP with staggered oem pirellis. Dry weather, not cold, but not hot either.
I was bringing my car to autocross with the same setup, was giving it much harder life and it was not exposing misbehavior similar to what happened.
Due to the way my car is sitting in a garage I have easy access to left side wheels. But this time I went around and realized two things:
- right rear tire was almost done. much worse that left tire. But even left one was not in its best shape. Front tires were pretty good shape.
- I tend to overinflate tires and wear pattern shows that it is not a good idea for a mustang. Rears have explicit mostly center of the thread wear. That means that especially in situations when your car experiences lateral Gs and lifts off the rear, only part of your tire is in touch with pavement. I checked hpde forum and people recommend stock pressure for autox/track. Another argument to keep pressure stock.
So... check your rears. If they are not in a good shape anymore, keep your temper in check. You might be caught by a surprise.
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