Cold weather driving
Discussion
First time i've taken the 348 out in cold weather, skies were blue and roads were dry so didnt think much of it. Was about 4pm and was heading to the nearest shell (20min drive) to top up on the optimax/vpower. Went to overtake an uber slow car on the downward section of a hill then on the upward section the road bends in a little, and with an mr2 up my @rse i was pulling in to let it pass, then it happened. The tyres didnt seem to give much traction as i accelerated and then back end wiggled like it was on ice. I've been along that stretch of road several times before in the 348 with no problem, and pushed it at that, but this time it was at a rather lowly 4000 revs (2nd gear so cold so was accelerating in 3rd from 2000).
I was only driving for 5mins prior to this (with the engine fully warmed up before I left) so I'm guessing this was the 'cold tyres' affect? Seen people talk about, f1 drivers excuse themselves with it, but never experienced it in any other car ive had. Odd, but not a scary experience as speed was only 50 odd and I let up and collected it well. Just a gentle warning for winter diving i guess - now i know why the cars dont come out so often, bring on spring/summer!! Anyone else experienced similar, or is my thinking about cold tyres right/wong?
I was only driving for 5mins prior to this (with the engine fully warmed up before I left) so I'm guessing this was the 'cold tyres' affect? Seen people talk about, f1 drivers excuse themselves with it, but never experienced it in any other car ive had. Odd, but not a scary experience as speed was only 50 odd and I let up and collected it well. Just a gentle warning for winter diving i guess - now i know why the cars dont come out so often, bring on spring/summer!! Anyone else experienced similar, or is my thinking about cold tyres right/wong?
Cold tyres possibly, but more like just a bit of damp or grease on the road Shiraz, even if not that noticeable. Winter driving can be fun, just do what you did exiting roundabouts and tight bends at slow speeds instead of in a straight line at higher speeds 
I had a spirited blast round the Oliver's Mount motorcycle race circuit last week, lots of damp leaves, just the thing for having low speed fun round the bottom hairpin
I had a spirited blast round the Oliver's Mount motorcycle race circuit last week, lots of damp leaves, just the thing for having low speed fun round the bottom hairpin
Sounds about right to me. Cold tyres, damp roads covered with puréed leaves, no traction control and a fair old whack of torque will do that to you 
Even on a nominally dry day at this time of year, at 4pm the temperature will be dropping quite quickly and condensation will start forming on the road.
However, I'm a firm believer in driving my cars in all weathers (unless the roads have been salted - that's just inviting the tin worm to an all-you-can-eat buffet) and getting to know how they handle - you never know when you'll get caught out.
Even on a nominally dry day at this time of year, at 4pm the temperature will be dropping quite quickly and condensation will start forming on the road.However, I'm a firm believer in driving my cars in all weathers (unless the roads have been salted - that's just inviting the tin worm to an all-you-can-eat buffet) and getting to know how they handle - you never know when you'll get caught out.
Al and Pete are right, you have to vary your driving style in cold weather in these cars, but they're lots of fun when you know them well.
breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
Harsh said:
Al and Pete are right, you have to vary your driving style in cold weather in these cars, but they're lots of fun when you know them well.
breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
Like in petrol station forecourts, right Bachi? breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
Cactussed said:
Harsh said:
Al and Pete are right, you have to vary your driving style in cold weather in these cars, but they're lots of fun when you know them well.
breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
Like in petrol station forecourts, right Bachi? breaking traction at low speeds is fun when you expect it. so drive it all year round...you'll probably find you'll miss the wiggles when summer comes and will be looking forward to the winter again!
wheeeee
Went out in mine last night into derbyshire for a drink and the weather was horrible.
Just need to be more careful and use low rpm and high gears. Same as Pete says around 4pm the temprature drops and the roads get covered in a lovely layer of greasey water.
Plus it means you have to spend 2 hours cleaning it after - like i will tonight :-(
Just need to be more careful and use low rpm and high gears. Same as Pete says around 4pm the temprature drops and the roads get covered in a lovely layer of greasey water.
Plus it means you have to spend 2 hours cleaning it after - like i will tonight :-(
We've not had a cold winter for a while now and it looks like this one will be (a few cold days already). Sadly this means it'll be supercar smashup season. Modern supercars are very sensitive to tyre temperatures and in the damp you're never going to bring their temperatures up enough to make them work.
Should you drive such cars in the cold and damp? Sure. Just remember the chap in the 1.6 Focus in front of you probably has much more grip than you do....
Should you drive such cars in the cold and damp? Sure. Just remember the chap in the 1.6 Focus in front of you probably has much more grip than you do....
I had my first 'moment' on Saturday morning. Doing about 20 or 30 round a wide corner, light acceleration out of it and the next thing I was doing a tank slapper down the road. I gathered it all up again, more through luck than skill as I was half asleep at the time.
Blast in the countryside that afternoon to the pub and the car was wriggling all over the place on damp roads and sodden leaves.
Certianly makes you concentrate...
Blast in the countryside that afternoon to the pub and the car was wriggling all over the place on damp roads and sodden leaves.
Certianly makes you concentrate...
CapristoYeah, that was a fun day out.
I think he must've just about wet himself, as he followed us all the way back to central London and sat right up my clacker as I gave it some through the underpass.
Man, that exhaust was money well spent!
And jeez your 360 sounds mean rumbling through town!
I think he must've just about wet himself, as he followed us all the way back to central London and sat right up my clacker as I gave it some through the underpass.
Man, that exhaust was money well spent!
And jeez your 360 sounds mean rumbling through town!
i let the guy in the red 355 out in front of me as he was waitng at the junction.
as i came past him on one of the fly bys he had a big grin on his face, so i think he just wanted to enjoy the moment.
i really enjoyed the other fly bys too.
when i asked Nancy whether she preferred the capristo or the tubi, she looked at me and said...
errm actually, the lambo.
there's just no pleasing people sometimes!
there were a few moments where traction was lacking on those country roads, but the communication from the car was a good early warning.
i did notice a wiggles from the cars in front which were held very well.
all in all a good day out
as i came past him on one of the fly bys he had a big grin on his face, so i think he just wanted to enjoy the moment.
i really enjoyed the other fly bys too.
when i asked Nancy whether she preferred the capristo or the tubi, she looked at me and said...
errm actually, the lambo.
there's just no pleasing people sometimes!
there were a few moments where traction was lacking on those country roads, but the communication from the car was a good early warning.
i did notice a wiggles from the cars in front which were held very well.
all in all a good day out
tty roads not worth driving on. Sick to put it away though!Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff