Had to happen sometime....
Discussion
Have had my 500 for 4 years now and last night for the first time ever I lost the backend in a bit of a big way(and let me tell you it was quite a surprise!). Ended up sliding sideways down the A11 about mile from Norwich, finished up half on the road and half on the verge having slammed a kerb.
No *obvious* damage, no dents in the wheels, nothing hanging down underneath that shouldn't be, no nasty noises or wobbly steering wheel and as a bonus I've even managed to keep the little spolier thing at the front attached....
Although they'll never read this I'm sure, just wanna say THANKS to the couple that pulled over to see if I was ok and for the loan of the torch to see if I was beached on the kerb. Although it's funny now, I wasn't quite as keen on the Vauxhall Chavailer that crept passed laughed and yelled "W****R!!" at me... cheers guys, now go buy a proper car and stop hanging around Woolworths carpark with your underage girlfriend!
Anyway, guess what I'm saying is, BE CAREFUL! I wasn't doing more than 40mph and didn't really do anything too stupid, just hit a damp patch with a little too much on the throttle.... when they bite they bite quickly!
No *obvious* damage, no dents in the wheels, nothing hanging down underneath that shouldn't be, no nasty noises or wobbly steering wheel and as a bonus I've even managed to keep the little spolier thing at the front attached....
Although they'll never read this I'm sure, just wanna say THANKS to the couple that pulled over to see if I was ok and for the loan of the torch to see if I was beached on the kerb. Although it's funny now, I wasn't quite as keen on the Vauxhall Chavailer that crept passed laughed and yelled "W****R!!" at me... cheers guys, now go buy a proper car and stop hanging around Woolworths carpark with your underage girlfriend!
Anyway, guess what I'm saying is, BE CAREFUL! I wasn't doing more than 40mph and didn't really do anything too stupid, just hit a damp patch with a little too much on the throttle.... when they bite they bite quickly!
glad you and your car are ok, I had my first lesson yesterday I came off a roundabout it was wet and i know the roundabout to be a bit on the greasy side but my over flowing confidence allowed me to put my foot down a little to hard on exit, Ive only had the car 3 months and ive been getting more confidant each time ive driven her verging on cocky even, as I hit the the throttle the back end swung out which I managed to catch but it snapped back and snaked towards the wrong side of the road it was a definate brown pants moment, Its taught me a lesson tho which im thankful for, It was almost like it was a warning to stop me getting over confident, i now have total respect!!
In my case, it was a damp road, rather than wet. Wet would have been better as far more obvious. I guess I was turning, but not much as the bend isn't sharpe. I have a nagging feeling if I'd been a little more quick on realising the back was sliding when it started, and been a bit braver (I suspect I did lift off throttle) I could have saved myself.
That said, I'm ok, dented pride and all that, but now booked in for a quick underneath check on Saturday so fingers crossed it's all ok.
Cheers!
That said, I'm ok, dented pride and all that, but now booked in for a quick underneath check on Saturday so fingers crossed it's all ok.
Cheers!
ginganinga said:
I think the majority of us kid ourselves that we could catch a slide but having had a driving tuition day in my car and the only car that the ex-Formula 1 test driver guy teaching us spun was mine...need I say more?
Andy Walsh i presume?
He spun mine too a couple of years ago! The Elise that was also at the First Lotus day looked like a piece of cake to control!
Pupp are you certain that you should dip the clutch? I thought that transferred the weight to the front (thereby lightening the rear). I thought that one should maintain a constant throttle opening, grit ones teeth and pray to all that is almighty. Think the only thing that saved me earlier this year when the car went light over a bump while I was hard on the brakes was the praying mind you!
Yea i had the same happen to me the other year with my old chim, its easy to catch and play with when your messing about trying to slide em but when it happens at a slow speed when your just chillin and expecting nothing to happen it really does mess your drivers seat up!
O well as long as everyone is ok and still has there toy in one piece you can look back and laugh
O well as long as everyone is ok and still has there toy in one piece you can look back and laugh
I think most owners seem to have a tale to tell with the back end wanting to overtake the front and I have to say I am no different. Coming off a roundabout and certain the car was in a straight line started to use the right foot. With a bit of damp on the road I'm facing the kerb. Managed to catch it in time, but had to give the drivers seat a good clean afterwards.
Glad to hear you survived unscathed. But it certainly teaches you the respect they deserve.
Glad to hear you survived unscathed. But it certainly teaches you the respect they deserve.
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