winter driving tips

[ecostuff]

Hi all,

any tips for 'winter' driving? e.g. cold roads

The M400 seems to just snake all over the place at the mo - big style !! Still alive - just

Tyre pressures ? or....dont be mad - leave it in the garage til summer ? Tyre selection etc....

Keen to do abit of driving as car has just come out of garage after 8 weeks waiting for new g/box ( +gearboxman full works!!)/ tunnel and oiler cooler move.

Could only get eagle F1's as tyre availability was poor at the time. Was recommended dropping pressures abit to get some heat into tyre...but not sure what starting pressure should be...

cheers...
ken

[TuxMan]

Hi Ken ............... Sounds like you have a nice car all sorted and ready to go ............,.SO LEAVE IT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL THE SUN COMES OUT !!!!!!!! Tux

[RobP]

Good job you don't have Corsa'a on otherwise you'd probably be in a ditch by now. Pressures for an M400 are 20psi front, 30psi rear and with these pressures you shouldn't have any problems at all with Eagle F1s'. If the car is skating around on F1s I'd suspect they are over inflated (or you're using the loud pedal like a lunatic!).

[leeshell]

I have a 3R with Eagle F1's, what should my tyre pressures be?

Lee

[BobE]

I took my 3R out for blast the other day as the sun was out and the roads were clear of salt, (I hope). My car is on Pirelli P Zero Rossa`s which I run at 20 and 30 psi. I`ve got admit I took it rather steady - not least because of the brain/senses re-calibration that is required when you haven`t driven the thing for a while. The performance of these cars is just awe inspiring when the right foot flexes - fully....

[GC1]

Just sit tight till spring,and rev it in the garage !!....Theirs plently of jobs to on her while you wait,mine just never end....!

[RobP]

leeshell said:

I have a 3R with Eagle F1's, what should my tyre pressures be?

Lee

18/27psi

[jay964rs]

I'm on standard p zeros, with reasonable tread and they won't take full power in second gear without lighting up and trying to make the car go sideways.
I just drive it very steady to keep everything warmed up and running well.

[Adrian W]

The best tip is leave it at home, it'll only end in tears!

[leeshell]

RobP said:

leeshell said:

I have a 3R with Eagle F1's, what should my tyre pressures be?

Lee

18/27psi

Ta, mines in the garage at the mo having a new starter and handbrake shoes fitted so I'll get tyre pressures checked when they come out.

OP
I use my car as a daily driver and it's not much fun during the winter:
Headlights are st (there is a HID mod)
Due to the dampness in the air and (imo) the poor fan/vents, takes a while to de-mist
Gear knob is freezing
And the obvious, I don't get to feel the power due to the ice/frost so I might as well be driving a micra (however can be a bit of fun in the wet, Eagle F1's are great tyres for all rounders)

ETA
You have to hose it down every day to get the salt off and the crud, but I find it's always a pleasure to wash the car

Edited by leeshell on Saturday 22 January 20:44

[SimonJW]

Went out yesterday in my standard 2.5 and it's way too greasy out there!! Even with what should have been very warm tyres and avoiding all white lines on the road!!

Safely tucked away until Sunday Service next weekend but that will just be a motorway drive. Phew!

Be safe all.

Si

[mr2turbo300]

Me too....
Had a look out of the window decided it was dry and I'd take it out since it hadn't moved in a couple of months.
Pulled out to overtake, nice wiggle from the backend..... even on standard tyres.

Back in garage hibernating...

[ecostuff]

thanks all.

looks like domestic drudgery and antiques roadshow for another couple of months then.

[jamie g]

Just get out there and learn to drive them, you don't have to go silly. I think the m400 set up must be a little more forgiving going by these posts....any thoughts?

[node]

jamie g said:

I think the m400 set up must be a little more forgiving going by these posts....any thoughts?

nope

all part of the fun

[FUNKSTER UK]

Well I know everybody has there own opinion and mine as of yesterday was to enjoy the car wherever and whenever you can but this evening my thoughts are different.
Today I had a couple of major moments which to be honest left me feeling very humbled and grateful to have the car still in the garage in one piece.
One of the moments was on the track at silverstone after attending a free trackday that i had won and the other was on the way home this evening.
The track moment was a locking up of the brakes which caused me to lift and reapply at least six or seven times and left me very close to an extremely hard looking bank and tyre wall whilst the other was a 4th gear major step out whilst overtaking a car.
I do class myself as a reasonably experienced Noble driver after owning the car for the last 3 1/2 years but I have a little more respect this evening.
Hence my car will now stay in the garage till the temps have picked up at least another 10 degrees.

I have had plenty of fast track driving experience in a dedicated track car that I part own and will be racing this year but just remember guys that these Nobles can bite like it almost did me today and it could of been a disaster.

Be carefull if you have to drive it and if ya dont. Leave it at home.

Be careful out there guys.

[jamie g]

Goodyear f1 assys are good in all conditions. Standard pressures will be fine.
Just get used to gently squeezing the gas and anticipate when the boost pressure is going to kick in. Keep it all smooth and flowing, any sudden torque increase will break traction.

[Air Support]

Had a minor moment a couple of weeks ago at about 25 mph on a tight roundabout, cold roads and tyres and about 5C temp (on R888s). Just a fraction too much right foot and the back end stepped out - most unexpected.

You really do need to watch it this time of year.

[sundance002]

At last internet working. Have been out the last few days and def not much grip, I think gentle and smooth is the way forward, much better than backwards facing the wrong way. I have used one gear lower when overtaking, still plenty of wheel spin.

[Jim O.]

Just FYI - for those of you using Toyo R888 tires on your cars, there's an advisory on the USA Toyo Tires website concerning using these tires in cold weather.

Follow this link:
http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/proxes-r888

Go to the "Set-Up and Care" tab, and click on the "For recommendations on proper use, handling and storage of this tire in colder climates, please click here" link.