Leaves, rain - traction?

Martin Perry · Nov 2, 2004

Had an interesting journey to work this morning. Steady drizzle, lots of leaves and muck on the roads.

I generally take a slightly roundabout route to take in some overtaking spots and decent bends (although West Country roads not always brimming with these). Incidentally, there seem to be plenty of people also on the way in at 7 a.m. - what time to you have to get up to be earlier than everyone else??

Anyway, pulling out to overtake in one of said spots I was a little hard on the gas, at 3800 in second, and the back went out. Little fishtail, spot of adrenalin but I passed safely and all was well. Suddenly felt woken up too[

]. I then found that any silimar application of power even in a straight line had the back wheels spinning. Thought for a moment the clutch was slipping, but it's only 2 years/6000 miles old. Opened the window and could hear the rears merrily slipping anyway.

The car has Continentals fitted. The backs are almost ready for a change but there's still tread there.

Anyone else had this sort of Autumn behaviour? It seems so easy to lose grip on slippery roads I'm gong to end up being over-cautious, and that's not why I've got a 911!

Gently does it...

Martin

Michael Downing · Nov 2, 2004

My RWD 330Ci is being similarly skittish at the moment. There's not a lot that can be done (surely) to help when driving over a layer of leaf mulch in the road.

996 C4S seems very contented, though. Haven't even seen the PSM light flickering. Mind you, the car has been so glued down since I bought it that I'm beginning to wonder if the light is working.

Perhaps it's just time to keep away from other cars* and enjoy the adrenaline?

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*OK, not easy, but....

oliver · Nov 2, 2004

When overtaking, the Police and most advanced driving instructors teach the method of not accelerating until you are in the on-coming lane, you can see that it is safe to overtake and your car is pointing straight.

It feels slightly unusual because you think you are losing a fraction of a second by pausing before passing. However, in practice it is just as quick and considerably safer.

To accelerate and pull out to overtake at the same time is a recipe for disaster.

Andy Tims · Nov 2, 2004

Try riding a fast motorbike year round - rear contact patch the size of a credit card.

That will put car throttle control requirements into perspective.

Martin Perry · Nov 2, 2004

Andy

I own a Blackbird, and do ride through the year, but not daily. Know just what you mean [&:]. When it's wet I generally bank on going slower than cars in most turning and/or braking situations on a bike. No serious offs as yet, but plenty of 'heart in mouths' thanks!

Tend to have a bit more confidence in cars, but perhaps too much!

Oliver

Interesting, and thanks. Sounds pretty obvious when you think about it but sometimes you need to be told!

Mike

996 C4S obviously not challenging enough for you! Time for a Turbo perhaps[

].

Greg Park · Nov 2, 2004

Martin,
I currently drive an Audi S3 and it copes with this type of situation like the C4S without fuss. My other weekend car is a Caterham 7 HPC which due to it's low weight and power is a handfull as soon as it rains.

The previous 3.2 Carrera was fairly predictable as it is a fairly heavy car and so coped with the wet well you just have to show it the respect it deserves and try to drive smoothly.

It may be worth booking yourself onto a session with on a skid pan or track day whilst it's wet to let yourself find the limits in safety.

Looking forward to getting back into a 3.2 soon.