My spin
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Chicagoland
Even though his S02s were not OEM fitments, they were still S02 PPs, which are a warm weather high performance tire. This incident reads like the textbook case of unintended spins I've seen on this board: cold tires, temps just above freezing, lift off of throttle mid-turn, not expecting a loss of traction. The only thing this incident needs is some light rain. We can argue all we want about it being the driver/tire pressure/toe-in/etc, but I only read about this problem on boards dedicated to cars equipped with OEM summer tires (MR Spyder & S2000).
This is why if/when I buy my 02 this winter I'll be looking at some high performance all-season tires. I don't drive above 7/10s on the street and we see a LOT of days with temps 35-65F with wet roads. I think the drop in ultimate traction (say 0.85g vs 0.90g) would be more than made up for with cool/wet weather predictability.
This is why if/when I buy my 02 this winter I'll be looking at some high performance all-season tires. I don't drive above 7/10s on the street and we see a LOT of days with temps 35-65F with wet roads. I think the drop in ultimate traction (say 0.85g vs 0.90g) would be more than made up for with cool/wet weather predictability.
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: West Mids.
I don't think anyone would argue that if all weather use is a big consideration, there is a good case for looking for alternative tyres. It's getting very cold here the last few mornings and on my SO2's I'm acutely aware of having to concentrate more, and drive very smoothly. If I had a high daily mileage to cover in this weather, I think I would definitely be considering an alternative tyre. I don't so I'm happy to make allowances for the SO2's because I know there's nothing to touch them when the spring comes and I drop the top. (Not that I don't now, but it's bloody cold!)
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From: Laurel
Originally posted by malachi
I've experienced trailing throttle oversteer in the S2K at @25MPH. In a parking lot, first gear, very cold morning with a bit of mist, whipped a u-turn and quickly stepped off the gas.
I've experienced trailing throttle oversteer in the S2K at @25MPH. In a parking lot, first gear, very cold morning with a bit of mist, whipped a u-turn and quickly stepped off the gas.
As I mentioned at the beginning, I'm particularly interested in dissecting this accident because it doesn't fit the pattern of OEM rear-tired spins (or my personal belief that there are some poor and unnecessary design tradeoffs in the stock rears.) There's is at least some liklihood that understanding this one will prove me wrong.
Lawdog: For those of us willing to try the test, what gear were you in (I'm assuming second or third.) Obviously, mechanical advantage (there's that pesky physics again
) can be a factor here too.
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From: South Bay
Cold tires and letting off the thrttle seem to be the culprits after reading all that Lawdog has posted. (Thanks for sharing so much info to us analytical enthusiasts) Glad you are ok.
Size of the rear PP's was not listed (or not found by me), but if they had a smaller contact patch than stock S02's, that could also contribute to this incident.
Like I said before tho, glad you are ok. I'll take this thread as a reminder to be more cautious and NOT let off the throttle too suddenly in a turn.
Size of the rear PP's was not listed (or not found by me), but if they had a smaller contact patch than stock S02's, that could also contribute to this incident.
Like I said before tho, glad you are ok. I'll take this thread as a reminder to be more cautious and NOT let off the throttle too suddenly in a turn.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Grapevine
Wow. I'm glad you're OK...
This is _the_reason_ I put BFG gforce KDW's on the rear when my first set of S02's hit the wear indicator back in September. I've had REALLY good luck w/ the BFG product, and about the only downside is they're not quite as grippy in the dry. They are, however, incredibly consistent, providing about the same amount of traction in all weather (save snow, which being in Texas, I won't drive in).
Plus, the BFG's got a wear rating of 300, so they should last thru the winter, which is when I'll need them the most. Also, they make it really easy to drift in corners
This is _the_reason_ I put BFG gforce KDW's on the rear when my first set of S02's hit the wear indicator back in September. I've had REALLY good luck w/ the BFG product, and about the only downside is they're not quite as grippy in the dry. They are, however, incredibly consistent, providing about the same amount of traction in all weather (save snow, which being in Texas, I won't drive in).
Plus, the BFG's got a wear rating of 300, so they should last thru the winter, which is when I'll need them the most. Also, they make it really easy to drift in corners
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My theory is that he dialed in more steering input than necessary. The front tires stuck and broke loose the rear end. On cold tires, oversteer is a problem. Also, he may not have a very good estimate of the speed he was going.
