Discussion
After reading the thread about "getting the back end out" I was wondering, other than being born a driving god, how people learned their car control in a RWD car? Was it just a case of drive with no TC and learn how the car behaves or is there something more which is done by people?
I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
SlowStig said:
After reading the thread about "getting the back end out" I was wondering, other than being born a driving god, how people learned their car control in a RWD car? Was it just a case of drive with no TC and learn how the car behaves or is there something more which is done by people?
I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
Unless you drive like Carlos Fandango there is no difference in technique.I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
SlowStig said:
After reading the thread about "getting the back end out" I was wondering, other than being born a driving god, how people learned their car control in a RWD car? Was it just a case of drive with no TC and learn how the car behaves or is there something more which is done by people?
I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
I think most people get their first oversteer on the way out of roundabouts - just a sniff of slip at the rear when exiting too briskly.I have got my first RWD car this year(MG ZT260) and its probably going to be my first winter with a RWD car and I dont really fancy putting it into a hedge if possible so I am wondering how is best to learn how the car behaves in the wet and potentially, ice. I have been driving FWD for years and quite happy in one should the weather turn as it is pretty simple to catch and not much chance of the rear stepping out...
If you want to "learn" oversteer, go karting.
It's easier to "catch" a RWD car. Road cars are set up with bags of understeer on a trailing throttle; the only time it might be an issue is if the tread is very worn on the rear tyres.
The best way to "learn" RWD (i.e. doing skids) is to use a low powered car with skinny tyres. Everything happens much more slowly then, so you learn what you're doing. when I first got in something RWD (MGBGT) it felt quite natural really.
The best way to "learn" RWD (i.e. doing skids) is to use a low powered car with skinny tyres. Everything happens much more slowly then, so you learn what you're doing. when I first got in something RWD (MGBGT) it felt quite natural really.
Wait for the snow, drive very carefully day to day..
Also find a big carpark on an industrial estate or other large open snow covered space and practice in said large open space.
Pretty much what I did some 20+ years ago now in my mums Sierra! However these days you are more likely to end up with a section 59 or ASBO I guess!
Also find a big carpark on an industrial estate or other large open snow covered space and practice in said large open space.
Pretty much what I did some 20+ years ago now in my mums Sierra! However these days you are more likely to end up with a section 59 or ASBO I guess!
I passed my test, walked back to work, got in a company RWD Toyota, went out in the rain, went sideways on a slippery corner, left my foot on the throttle and overcorrected six or seven times before getting it back straight.All I remember seeing as I span the steering wheel quicker than a washing machine drum on a rinse cycle was railings, cars, railings, cars, railings, cars...It never seemed scary after that.
Well remember being driven by the other half in her Lexis IS 200 around a roundabout, she stayed in a low gear (you had to go anywhere in that car), I could see wet grease on the road, and knew what was going to happen. Easily caught though.
Sister in law managed to oversteer her focus into the centre of a roundabout. Now that was an achievement.
Sister in law managed to oversteer her focus into the centre of a roundabout. Now that was an achievement.
Benbay001 said:
Having owned my first RWD very powerful saloon for a year and 4 months, i can assure you, oversteer isnt something you find unless you are looking for it.
Even then, ESP has kicked in before you have time to react (maybe im just not a driving god)
Oh by the way, turn off DSC/ESP if you own a RWD car. That way you keep your man points.Even then, ESP has kicked in before you have time to react (maybe im just not a driving god)
CraigyMc said:
Benbay001 said:
Having owned my first RWD very powerful saloon for a year and 4 months, i can assure you, oversteer isnt something you find unless you are looking for it.
Even then, ESP has kicked in before you have time to react (maybe im just not a driving god)
Oh by the way, turn off DSC/ESP if you own a RWD car. That way you keep your man points.Even then, ESP has kicked in before you have time to react (maybe im just not a driving god)
The_Burg said:
Learning mid engined is harder.
Hit a patch of diesel on a roundabout on way home. Doing maybe 20mph. Took me quite a few 100 yds to get it back on track.
Front easy, rear needs a splash of confidence. Mid? Worst by far.
Agreed. I found out my S1 elise had a leaking damper at exactly the same time the scenery was travelling perpendicular to the windscreen (left to right) at 80mph.Hit a patch of diesel on a roundabout on way home. Doing maybe 20mph. Took me quite a few 100 yds to get it back on track.
Front easy, rear needs a splash of confidence. Mid? Worst by far.
I ended up facing the wrong way up a slip road, had a little panic, did a ginger 5 point turn and drove home.
SlowStig said:
After reading the thread about "getting the back end out" I was wondering, other than being born a driving god, how people learned their car control in a RWD car? Was it just a case of drive with no TC and learn how the car behaves or is there something more which is done by people?
My first car was a RWD vauxhall omega with an underpowered 2.0 litre engine.The way it handled corners in the dry was light years ahead of my instructors fiesta... but I got my fix of RWD goodness just by experimenting in the wet and snow.
Closed, empty industrial estates and supermarket car parks were the best places... and no danger of collision due to the wide open areas of tarmac/concrete.
davepoth said:
It's easier to "catch" a RWD car. Road cars are set up with bags of understeer on a trailing throttle; the only time it might be an issue is if the tread is very worn on the rear tyres.
The best way to "learn" RWD (i.e. doing skids) is to use a low powered car with skinny tyres. Everything happens much more slowly then, so you learn what you're doing. when I first got in something RWD (MGBGT) it felt quite natural really.
Skinny, over pressured tyres?The best way to "learn" RWD (i.e. doing skids) is to use a low powered car with skinny tyres. Everything happens much more slowly then, so you learn what you're doing. when I first got in something RWD (MGBGT) it felt quite natural really.
http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/calendar.htm...
Everything happens in a slow and predicatable way, never owned a RWD car so i have idea how well what you do on these days translates. Great fun though
Dr Jekyll said:
Unless you drive like Carlos Fandango there is no difference in technique.
This covers it all. Anyone would think that the UK turns into some sort of floating iceberg in the winter.You see your right foot, dont stamp down on the loud pedal like you are crushing something you dont like and be amazed how your commute in the 'treacherous' conditions is massively uneventful.
CraigyMc said:
The_Burg said:
Learning mid engined is harder.
Hit a patch of diesel on a roundabout on way home. Doing maybe 20mph. Took me quite a few 100 yds to get it back on track.
Front easy, rear needs a splash of confidence. Mid? Worst by far.
Agreed. I found out my S1 elise had a leaking damper at exactly the same time the scenery was travelling perpendicular to the windscreen (left to right) at 80mph.Hit a patch of diesel on a roundabout on way home. Doing maybe 20mph. Took me quite a few 100 yds to get it back on track.
Front easy, rear needs a splash of confidence. Mid? Worst by far.
I ended up facing the wrong way up a slip road, had a little panic, did a ginger 5 point turn and drove home.
Awesome till you push it a bit too far...
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