Lowest outside temperature?
Discussion
What is the lowest outside air temperature when Esprit is actually usable? And what is likely to happen with the car at low temperatures (does engine reach its optimum temperature, are there heater troubles, windows getting foggy, is something going to get damaged because of low temp etc.).
Does anybody have experience of driving Esprit in the winter? I mean, winter with snow and ice?
Thanks.
/esi
Does anybody have experience of driving Esprit in the winter? I mean, winter with snow and ice?
Thanks.
/esi
okc-esprit said:
Take the Esprit out in snow and ice? Heck if I did that I wouldn't bother returning unless I had pre-arranged my funeral service.
Basically, it's always a matter of proper tyres:
http://photozilla.ru/es/formulaice/
(Any input on operating an Esprit at low temps still very welcome.)
That was a joke. My wife would kill me if I did.
We don't normally take the car out in snow and ice conditions because of the idiots on Oklahoma roads. For some reason people think 4-wheel drive is a magical device that will protect them. Unfortunately, it gets them out of the driveway but doesn't allow them to take curves or stop at normal dry payment speeds.
You are correct, proper tires are needed. You may also want to run a couple pounds of pressure lower than normal.
We did drive our Corvette in all conditions and found the all season B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A to perform very well including driving through a blizzard that ended up closing the interstate.
Since this is a mid-engine car, the polar moment of inertia is relatively lower than a front or rear engine car. Therefore, the car will spin easier on snow and ice but should be easier to correct out of the spin as well. In contrast, I learned to drive on an old Corvair, because it was rear engine (high polar moment of inertia) the car took more effort to break loose but once it did it was gone. Mid-engine cars handle fine once you become familiar with the handling. Although lacking in horsepower, we drive our Fiero in all conditions with no problem. Again, I've always used all-season sport radials.
Another thing if you don't normally drive a manual on snow and ice, do not downshift to slow down. Great way to break the backend loose.
Perhaps someone else can chime in on the effects of extreme temperature changes on the fiberglass body. I had heard that Corvettes were prone to cracking under certain conditions.
As far as oil temp, we do let the car warm a little longer in the garage when it is cold but haven't noticed a real problem. I imagine it would be fairly easy to fashion a shield for one or both oil cooler ducts if necessary.
If you're going to drive the car in adverse conditions, find big parking lot and go do donuts the first time it snows. That's the best way to learn how the car will react.
We don't normally take the car out in snow and ice conditions because of the idiots on Oklahoma roads. For some reason people think 4-wheel drive is a magical device that will protect them. Unfortunately, it gets them out of the driveway but doesn't allow them to take curves or stop at normal dry payment speeds.
You are correct, proper tires are needed. You may also want to run a couple pounds of pressure lower than normal.
We did drive our Corvette in all conditions and found the all season B.F. Goodrich Comp T/A to perform very well including driving through a blizzard that ended up closing the interstate.
Since this is a mid-engine car, the polar moment of inertia is relatively lower than a front or rear engine car. Therefore, the car will spin easier on snow and ice but should be easier to correct out of the spin as well. In contrast, I learned to drive on an old Corvair, because it was rear engine (high polar moment of inertia) the car took more effort to break loose but once it did it was gone. Mid-engine cars handle fine once you become familiar with the handling. Although lacking in horsepower, we drive our Fiero in all conditions with no problem. Again, I've always used all-season sport radials.
Another thing if you don't normally drive a manual on snow and ice, do not downshift to slow down. Great way to break the backend loose.
Perhaps someone else can chime in on the effects of extreme temperature changes on the fiberglass body. I had heard that Corvettes were prone to cracking under certain conditions.
As far as oil temp, we do let the car warm a little longer in the garage when it is cold but haven't noticed a real problem. I imagine it would be fairly easy to fashion a shield for one or both oil cooler ducts if necessary.
If you're going to drive the car in adverse conditions, find big parking lot and go do donuts the first time it snows. That's the best way to learn how the car will react.
I've driven my esprit in all weathers. Absolutely no problems at all.
My GT3, December 2000:
My V8-GT, January 2001:
In the uk, when the roads are really filthy the headlights get dirty quickly (something to do with being low to the ground and 'upright' i suppose).
Wouldn't recommend ever actually driving on snow covered roads - its just too risky. Lowest temp.. well prob -5 or so. Make sure your locks are lubed as these can freeze up. Winscreen washer fluid takes a long time to thaw as its under the front, rather than being near the heat of the engine.
cheers
Rob
My GT3, December 2000:
My V8-GT, January 2001:
In the uk, when the roads are really filthy the headlights get dirty quickly (something to do with being low to the ground and 'upright' i suppose).
Wouldn't recommend ever actually driving on snow covered roads - its just too risky. Lowest temp.. well prob -5 or so. Make sure your locks are lubed as these can freeze up. Winscreen washer fluid takes a long time to thaw as its under the front, rather than being near the heat of the engine.
cheers
Rob
-20 or -30 F. I drive my car in winter as long as there is no snow on the roads. I put my car away when they drop chemicals on the road and wait till a 2 good spring rains to wash it all away.
Last year it did not snow real hard till January so I drove it occasionally till then. Cold does not bother the car.
During the spring we had a late snow storm when my car was at the tire shop. Towards the evening it was very slushy it did not handle well at all. 40mph was very touchy and the car was all over the place and hard to keep it pointed in the right direction.
Calvin
Last year it did not snow real hard till January so I drove it occasionally till then. Cold does not bother the car.
During the spring we had a late snow storm when my car was at the tire shop. Towards the evening it was very slushy it did not handle well at all. 40mph was very touchy and the car was all over the place and hard to keep it pointed in the right direction.
Calvin
I will drive my car come rain or shine and thats basically what the factory advise you to do. What you have to do though is drive any car to the conditions of the road, in snow that means ever so much more cautiously, especially with the Esprit. Low profiles and stiff suspension mean so much more braking distance is required and more torque means gentle acceleration. I adopt the 'Granny' mode of driving in poor weather and am not afraid to put on the hazards if I think I need to slow people down behind me. Often people will not make the right allowances for less than perfect road conditions and are too much in a hurry.
2p
Dom
2p
Dom
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