Issues driving in the rain...

[Schwerin]

Maybe take a wet weather driving course. One where they spray down the track to intentionally make it slippery to teach you car control when grip is gone. Granted this won't keep other people from sliding into you but it may give you some added confidence and peace of mind.

I've actually thought about doing that. Some place where I can "safely" learn the limits of the car in slick conditions.

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[CJJon]

It seems to feel like my issues are me FEELING like the cars already pushing its limits for some reason. Even as a Honda Fit zooms past me. It just seems to be excessive paranoia that I have to push past. I drove a Mach1 for 7yrs in the snow with proper tires and never had any issues. Even enjoyed it. Now it almost terrifying. Even when the roads are nearly empty.

Hmmm, maybe find a Auto-X run on a rainy day? Large, wet parking lot?

I't like leaning over on a motorcycle. Seems like it is going to end badly, but you just have to lean over a little bit more...

 

[331GT]

It seems to feel like my issues are me FEELING like the cars already pushing its limits for some reason. Even as a Honda Fit zooms past me. It just seems to be excessive paranoia that I have to push past. I drove a Mach1 for 7yrs in the snow with proper tires and never had any issues. Even enjoyed it. Now it almost terrifying. Even when the roads are nearly empty.

well, all you can do is drive within your comfort zone then. biggest thing i always have to tell myself when im driving in less than ideal weather is to take it slow, leave extra time. it's easy to feel the need to rush, especially when traffic is already heavier than normal due to the weather alone. i always tell myself it's not worth rushing or driving too quickly for conditions to save maybe 30 minutes of travel time, when the alternative is wrecking my car, and then suddenly being far more late and more pissed off. not sure if that helps you but it's helped me to force myself to drive cautiously.

 

[331GT]

well, all you can do is drive within your comfort zone then. biggest thing i always have to tell myself when im driving in less than ideal weather is to take it slow, leave extra time. it's easy to feel the need to rush, especially when traffic is already heavier than normal due to the weather alone. i always tell myself it's not worth rushing or driving too quickly for conditions to save maybe 30 minutes of travel time, when the alternative is wrecking my car, and then suddenly being far more late and more pissed off. not sure if that helps you but it's helped me to force myself to drive cautiously.

try what CJJON said to get a feel for your brakes in a big parking lot. hit them hard, as if you had to do a panic stop at maybe 40, and see how well your tires actually grip. i know i have definitely had to hit my brakes hard in rain or snow and was surprised in a good way that i had better traction than i initially realized. id still err on the opposite side though, and leave extra space around you, but getting a good feel for your actual traction can never hurt.

 

[Schwerin]

try what CJJON said to get a feel for your brakes in a big parking lot. hit them hard, as if you had to do a panic stop at maybe 40, and see how well your tires actually grip. i

actually thats a great idea I have lots of open business parks near me I can do that on the weekend at.

 

[Norm Peterson]

It seems to feel like my issues are me FEELING like the cars already pushing its limits for some reason. Even as a Honda Fit zooms past me. It just seems to be excessive paranoia that I have to push past. I drove a Mach1 for 7yrs in the snow with proper tires and never had any issues. Even enjoyed it. Now it almost terrifying. Even when the roads are nearly empty.

Does your car have Snow/Wet mode? What tires are you running?

Were those incidents happening in the city proper or further out?


Norm

 

[IPOGT]

I've actually thought about doing that. Some place where I can "safely" learn the limits of the car in slick conditions.

yeah im trying. I've found that trying to focus on something playing like radio or a podcast distracts my mind from the fact Im driving in the rain so I try to do that. It's just so frustrating.

It's tough. I grew up in NY, and we used to take our cars to big parking lots after snow storms and toss them. All great experience, until your rear wheel hits a parking stop sideways, cracks the wheel, blows out a tire and bends an axle. Crappy ending to a wonderful training session.
Never liked that FoodTown parking lot anyway.
They’re out of business now. Thank g-d there were no cameras then. I would have had to pay for yanking the parking stop out of the asphalt and rebar…..lol.

 

[Schwerin]

Does your car have Snow/Wet mode? What tires are you running?

Were those incidents happening in the city proper or further out?


Norm

Yup, stock PP tires, but really that doesnt matter what vehicle Im driving. I feel the same when in a FWD Altima as I do in the Mustang. I think I only feel a bit safer in an AWD car because I feltlike I have more wheels keeping me right, so, mental thing. Some have been in my town, some have been out farther. Usually "suburbs" setting.

 

[IPOGT]

Yup, stock PP tires, but really that doesnt matter what vehicle Im driving. I feel the same when in a FWD Altima as I do in the Mustang. I think I only feel a bit safer in an AWD car because I feltlike I have more wheels keeping me right, so, mental thing. Some have been in my town, some have been out farther. Usually "suburbs" setting.

I have an AWD wheel drive suv. Yes. There is no doubt I’d rather drive that than my Mustang in inclement weather. If I could only have one vehicle I’d take my SUV. Bad weather+Rear wheel drive+ High horsepower+High torque+Poor traction+Stiff suspension=Bad recipe. No way around it. Gotta be on your toes, predict the unpredictable.
Best driving is rear wheel drive for sure, but we can’t control the weather. I’ll also agree that this car and many other rear wheel drive performance cars like it can get a novice and an experienced driver in trouble really quickly.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Yup, stock PP tires, but really that doesnt matter what vehicle Im driving. I feel the same when in a FWD Altima as I do in the Mustang. I think I only feel a bit safer in an AWD car because I feltlike I have more wheels keeping me right, so, mental thing

AWD is inherently less likely to slip or snap into oversteer, and divides total driveline torque by 4 rather than 2. You may have been conditioning yourself to expect your cars to always understeer, or to use more throttle what would be advisable with 2WD (either end).

Careful throttle modulation is going to be your friend here - whether it's by you, the reduced throttle response of Wet/Snow mode, or both. Forget that your Mustang has any dragstrip cred at all once the weather turns cold or wet.


FWIW, my '08 came with all-season tires that were actually worse in the rain on at least one particular stretch of road than the summer performance tires were in a snow dusting on the same stretch of road.


Norm

 

[oneheadlite]

...whether it was the Camaro;
or the Mustang;
or the Challenger;
or the Sky;
or the new Mustang, I've found the
best guard from damage from other drivers in inclement weather
is to leave 'em at home.
That is what I have a beater for................

 

[The Demon]

...whether it was the Camaro;
or the Mustang;
or the Challenger;
or the Sky;
or the new Mustang, I've found the
best guard from damage from other drivers in inclement weather
is to leave 'em at home.
That is what I have a beater for................

Agreed. Unless you have the financial ability to have two or three cars I’ve always stored my car in the winter in Illinois. I would never drive it in the rain or snow. Unless I was caught in a storm I stay to the right and don’t get anywhere near the idiot drivers who think it’s a game.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Driving in any rain, snow, sleet - always make sure the tires have decent tread, are the proper tire for not only the weather types BUT are all-season when needed AND that the tires have proper air pressure.

With the S550 - in rain, click the Drive Mode to the Rain/Snow setting. You'll be surprised at how the car handles if you have ill feelings about driving in those conditions. I'll say this - Ford should have implemented that feature 15-20 years ago, it's a great feature and IMO works well for "newbies" with a rear wheel drive high HP car like the Mustang. I've been driving Mustangs since 1990 - owned (20) now including my current 94 Cobra and the 18 EB. I'm familiar with how easy it is to get the ass out in front - so for someone like me, driving them in the snow or rain is like doing it blindfolded if you know what I mean. But first time using the Snow/Rain mode in my prior 2016, I was like "COOL!", that's a neat implementation! But doesn't go without saying that it is not foolproof.

Also when in any such weather element, just because the speed limit is 65/75+ or even 45+ doesn't mean ANY vehicle with all the modern day nannies can maintain that speed in wet road conditions without hydroplaning....

Road surfaces get slippery in rain IF the pavement (most likely tar/asphalt based) has been dry for many months. The rain brings out the road surface oil not only from the road itself, but also any highway seepage from vehicles passing over it. That's what makes a highway slick after a "first rain".

Just take it easy - follow the steps above,, you'll be fine.

 

[IPOGT]

Agreed. Unless you have the financial ability to have two or three cars I’ve always stored my car in the winter in Illinois. I would never drive it in the rain or snow. Unless I was caught in a storm I stay to the right and don’t get anywhere near the idiot drivers who think it’s a game.

I always wanted a muscle car I purchased new that I didn’t have to drive every day. Took me 57 years to be able to, but now I can geek out on detailing and only drive it when I want to, so it always looks new.

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