Controlling A Slide In A RWD Car
Discussion
Hi
This is my first post so I apologise if my knowledge of this subject is not up to other members!
Recently I had a skid in a fwd hire car. I drove onto a roundabout and the front of the car started to understeer. I reduced steering angle and backed off the throttle to bring some weight over the front of the car which then led to the back stepping out. I gently accelerated to put some weight over the rear wheels, as well as adding some corrective lock. The car then straightened up and I exited the roundabout without hitting anything. To be honest this manoeuvre, though instinctive, was more luck than judgement on my part. I subsequently found out other people had the same issue on the roundabout which I believe was due to a diesel spill. I appreciate I should not of got into this situation in the first place but I do not think I was driving very quickly for the conditions (dry, warm sunny day, good visibility etc).
What would of been the course of action if the car had been RWD? Should I have accelerated to bring some weight over the rear wheels when the rear end started to slide? I presume I should apply the accelerator to maintain the same speed and spread the car's weight over both axles - is this correct?
I have often wondered what happens if I decelerate or accelerate when the back of a rwd car steps out accidentally.
Can anyone recommend any publications or videos to assist a beginner such as myself on car control at the limit? I have bought a couple of books on race car driving (I'm not a racer btw) but I have never found anything yet that says if x happens your options are y or z for these reasons - maybe I'm over simplifying the subject? I have read a lot of differing opinions though, which cloud the subject for a numpty like me.
When funds allow I will undertake some tuition on the above. My first port of call will be a skidpan!
Thanks
Terry
This is my first post so I apologise if my knowledge of this subject is not up to other members!
Recently I had a skid in a fwd hire car. I drove onto a roundabout and the front of the car started to understeer. I reduced steering angle and backed off the throttle to bring some weight over the front of the car which then led to the back stepping out. I gently accelerated to put some weight over the rear wheels, as well as adding some corrective lock. The car then straightened up and I exited the roundabout without hitting anything. To be honest this manoeuvre, though instinctive, was more luck than judgement on my part. I subsequently found out other people had the same issue on the roundabout which I believe was due to a diesel spill. I appreciate I should not of got into this situation in the first place but I do not think I was driving very quickly for the conditions (dry, warm sunny day, good visibility etc).
What would of been the course of action if the car had been RWD? Should I have accelerated to bring some weight over the rear wheels when the rear end started to slide? I presume I should apply the accelerator to maintain the same speed and spread the car's weight over both axles - is this correct?
I have often wondered what happens if I decelerate or accelerate when the back of a rwd car steps out accidentally.
Can anyone recommend any publications or videos to assist a beginner such as myself on car control at the limit? I have bought a couple of books on race car driving (I'm not a racer btw) but I have never found anything yet that says if x happens your options are y or z for these reasons - maybe I'm over simplifying the subject? I have read a lot of differing opinions though, which cloud the subject for a numpty like me.
When funds allow I will undertake some tuition on the above. My first port of call will be a skidpan!
Thanks
Terry
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