This is the first Rear wheel drive car I've owned and I've read more post than I can remember about members losing control of the car and how to be careful of the rear end slipping out. Well it happened this morning on my way to work. I was taking the turn to enter the onramp to the freeway and my ass slipped out. It freaked me out cause my natural instinct was to turn into the slide to correct (front wheel drive) but to no avail. I just took my foot off the throttle and after about 3-4 more swurves the car corrected itself before I hit anyone or anything.

If there is a technique to regain control I'd like to hear it!!!

 

AUTO-X OR TRACK that car before you kill yourself!!!! That's my advice. Learn the limits in a safe environment and help to keep my damn insurance down.

Keep the car below it's limits on the street please.

 

Take it to autocross events so you can build up the reflexes you need in a safe environment.

 

Keep your foot in it. The last thing you want to do is lift the throttle and unweight the rear tires. The best way to learn this is at the Auto-X.

 

You cannot lift off the throttle in a RWD car. It throws the weight to the front which gives the back end less traction and causing the steering to be more sensitive. This leads to wagging the tail caused by overcorrection after overcorrction until there is a total loss of control.

You have to hold the throttle and steer where you want to go. You can let off or apply more gas, but it has to be smooth and gradual. General rule, drive smoothly. Do not mash the gas while turning, yank the steering wheel or brake hard while turning.

 

Where can I find a track nearby? I'm in Austin, TX.

 

Hey Chris,

How did it go at Qualcomm this weekend? Did you take the group to school?!?!?!

David

 

Thanks for the info. Fortunately for me...I learn from my mistakes. I definately think that I let off the clutch too early before completing the turn. I won't be doing that again.

 

keeping your foot in doesn't always help, take care people, learn from my recent mistake or it will bite you when you least expect it. my baby :-(

 

Woah... do you mean "let off the throttle too early before completing the turn?"

There's no reason you should touch the clutch during a high speed turn. That is definitely a recipe for disaster. Keep it in gear, clutch fully engaged, steady throttle at the correct speed during most of the turn. Only gradually apply input when you're closer to being straightened out.