Traction / fishtail

[stevec]

Interesting moment yesterday that made me shit myself

Was on damp carriageway coming from a 40 to 70 zone and in 5th gear. Thought I would drop to 4th and give it a little gas as there was no one around . Nothing insane - just wanted to pull up to speed.

Dropped to 4th and started on the accelerator - back wheels lost traction - not great but ok a little wheel spin - but then immediately went into a fishtail. A couple mini left and rights and it was straight again but I was still a bit surprised.

As I say I've not had a rwd before but is it normal to fishtail going straight when breaking traction ? I've been very apprehensive on the gas since that. And my bum cheeks are permanently clenched through the first few gears when someone else is taking it for a spin.

Very tempted to find a track nearby to take it for a spin to figure it out a bit more

I had a very similar moment and posted just like you have. I now drive this car anticipating wheel spin under any conditons, at whatever speed, and all gears.

Having said that, I have very few unexpected moments now I have MPSS tyres.

I know its nit what you want to hear, being told its worth spending £400 quid on tyres with a new car but it really does transform the rear and (in mine and many others experiences)

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[slowhand99]

Interesting moment yesterday that made me shit myself

Was on damp carriageway coming from a 40 to 70 zone and in 5th gear. Thought I would drop to 4th and give it a little gas as there was no one around . Nothing insane - just wanted to pull up to speed.

Dropped to 4th and started on the accelerator - back wheels lost traction - not great but ok a little wheel spin - but then immediately went into a fishtail. A couple mini left and rights and it was straight again but I was still a bit surprised.

As I say I've not had a rwd before but is it normal to fishtail going straight when breaking traction ? I've been very apprehensive on the gas since that. And my bum cheeks are permanently clenched through the first few gears when someone else is taking it for a spin.

Very tempted to find a track nearby to take it for a spin to figure it out a bit more

The limited slip diff has a big impact in these situations. Where wheel spin would normally result in all the power evaporating through whichever wheel has no grip, the lsd keeps trying to put the power down through whichever wheel has traction.

By the way "when someone else is taking it for a spin"? What's that about? :eyebulge:

 

[Enoch]

Dropped to 4th and started on the accelerator - back wheels lost traction - not great but ok a little wheel spin - but then immediately went into a fishtail. A couple mini left and rights and it was straight again but I was still a bit surprised.

As I say I've not had a rwd before but is it normal to fishtail going straight when breaking traction ? I've been very apprehensive on the gas since

I do worry for my insurance renewal costs when I read stuff like this..

 

[Gibbo205]

I do worry for my insurance renewal costs when I read stuff like this..

My renewal is £100 more expensive, I've not questioned it yet or shopped around though.

 

[Leeroy]

I too had a similar experience and posted on here, although it was at slower speeds. Learnt pretty quickly that cold/damp and cold PZeros are not a good combo:eyebulge: Been OK with her ever since (touching wood furiously). Still have plenty of tread left so seems bonkers to throw em yet, might give line lock a blast:lol:

 

[Gibbo205]

I too had a similar experience and posted on here, although it was at slower speeds. Learnt pretty quickly that cold/damp and cold PZeros are not a good combo:eyebulge: Been OK with her ever since (touching wood furiously). Still have plenty of tread left so seems bonkers to throw em yet, might give line lock a blast:lol:

My driving style meant they only lasted 5000 miles and they were never line locked until the end. But driving style and the kind of road miles your doing plays a huge impact in tyre wear.

My driving mainly consist of well hooning around, car rarely ever sees a motorway trip and it is used all weathers.

This time last year I was Stangless as I took delivery mid January, but I remember the car well on Pzero during winter time, I came so close to throwing the damn things away as they were total crud in the colder air, even when dry. But when things warmed up they were satisfactory and I knew their limits so just drove within or beyond when I felt like it. Now on the MPSS the car is a lot more sure footed than it was last winter. End of the day its still RWD and still commands respect, tyres won't stop you from crashing if your a bell behind the wheel.

 

[Eclipsar]

Talking of Insurance, I had to renew my insurance as the other company would not insure the new mods, came out £20 cheaper with all the mods, just goes to show modifying your car makes you insurance cheaper

 

[Gibbo205]

Talking of Insurance, I had to renew my insurance as the other company would not insure the new mods, came out £20 cheaper with all the mods, just goes to show modifying your car makes you insurance cheaper

Who did you go with?

I am with Direct Line and they may not cover me anyway now I am 500+ horsepower as I think they technically only allow up for 20% additional power from modifications. I could lie to them and show them the official Ford Power Pack rating at 475HP, but as I have posted dyno graphs showing 500BHP it is technically insurance fraud, so I'd rather not take the risk.

Plus I am leaning heavily towards a Pro Charger setup for new year.

 

[Eclipsar]

Who did you go with?

I am with Direct Line and they may not cover me anyway now I am 500+ horsepower as I think they technically only allow up for 20% additional power from modifications. I could lie to them and show them the official Ford Power Pack rating at 475HP, but as I have posted dyno graphs showing 500BHP it is technically insurance fraud, so I'd rather not take the risk.

Plus I am leaning heavily towards a Pro Charger setup for new year.

A Plan

 

[simonp83]

I do worry for my insurance renewal costs when I read stuff like this..

I'm going to drive mine when it arrives exactly how I drive my little 65hp Clio 1.2 e.g. Foot to the floor when pulling out of a junction to get into a little gap or foot to the floor when pulling off a roundabout or foot to the floor when pulling onto a motorway/dual carriageway.
:lol:

Please, no one crash anymore until I at least get the new insurance sorted in June.

 

[bobpies]

You will get used to it on the Pirelli PZeros

Change them ASAP. I run Michelin PS3 on the back now (far from Michelins top tyre) and the difference is astonishing.

When it does break away, the slide is also *much* more predictable and controllable.

did you leave the pirellis on the front?

 

[bobpies]

By the way "when someone else is taking it for a spin"? What's that about? :eyebulge:

ha, well the missus drives a 440i m sport so she was looking for a go, and a mate drives an m4 so he too was in it.

 

[kapiteinlangzaam]

did you leave the pirellis on the front?

Yes, still got the Pirellis on the front (still got 6mm tread left).

 

[anubis]

My renewal is £100 more expensive, I've not questioned it yet or shopped around though.

Who are you insured with [MENTION=13598]Gibbo205[/MENTION] out of interest with all your mods?

 

[anubis]

Interesting moment yesterday that made me shit myself

Was on damp carriageway coming from a 40 to 70 zone and in 5th gear. Thought I would drop to 4th and give it a little gas as there was no one around . Nothing insane - just wanted to pull up to speed.

Dropped to 4th and started on the accelerator - back wheels lost traction - not great but ok a little wheel spin - but then immediately went into a fishtail. A couple mini left and rights and it was straight again but I was still a bit surprised.

As I say I've not had a rwd before but is it normal to fishtail going straight when breaking traction ? I've been very apprehensive on the gas since that. And my bum cheeks are permanently clenched through the first few gears when someone else is taking it for a spin.

Very tempted to find a track nearby to take it for a spin to figure it out a bit more

[MENTION=23828]bobpies[/MENTION] Try a tuition day with CarLimits - they're excellent and cater for all levels

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