So it's been icy and COLD here. Decreased the slip setting on the Racelogic to 0%. Driving to work today in the S2000. Enjoying the seat heater mod. Pull up to the double left turn lane.

I'm in the left-left turn lane and a 50-something in a Miata is in the right-left turn lane. We're stopped at the red light, both first in our lane.

Light turns green and I accelerate "conservatively." Even so, I can feel a slight vagueness in the rear that I recognize as the RLTC kicking in... but the car stays perfectly in line. It's really slippery out.







I look in my rear view and I see the Miata... then it fishtails left... then right... then left... then spins out 180 degrees.

The light turns red behind me and all the SUVs / minivans behind the Miata are waiting for him to straighten out. He didn't hit the curb or anyone else.

I am sure glad for Winter tires and traction control.

Disclaimer: No car exceeded 25 mph at any point and time during this "encounter."

My points:
1. Even old guys are prone to machismo and driving past the limits of their (or their car's) abilities... it's not just the young guys.
2. You don't need a lot of horsepower to get in trouble.
3. While not necessary, Winter tires and Traction control help a LOT. Especially if you're prone to driving above 25mph and starting off in a gear higher than 3rd.

Keep it safe guys.

 

[QUOTE=Txs_Phantom,Jan 20 2008, 09:02 AM]Amen - don't you have a different car you can drive?

 

Good the the kit working good. Will be putting mine in soon.

 

Good job with the racelogic, it was a smart choice

 

Oh man Ckit...I thought it was you that spun out on the racelogic. I was gonna tell you to be ready for some flaming from the young crowd we have been flaming. . Glad you were out of the way of that Miata, though. Racelogic FTMFW.

 

I spun out 3 weeks ago. About 800 degree, turning right at 28 mph on 2rd gear. Just recently go Toyo Garit. I am now considering getting RLTC.

How much and how long is installation? I know it iss not a bolt on, how involving is it to install.

 

Here's the DIY installation thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=549449

Takes just a few hours for a novice. I could probably do one in 2 hours if I tried hard. Really, really going slowly... 4-6 hours.

Pricing and order information is in the thread.

~$1000 shipped.

Probably the best $1000 out of any of my mods. You'd pay that much on beater insurance.

Second best would be heated seats for $100.

 

Always interesting to see people that dont know how to drive in the snow. I find it a constant source of amusement.


I see people in FWD cars around here at lights, and when it goes green they just floor it and their tires just spin and spin and spin.

Jeez, buddy, easy on the go-pedal for a few seconds till you can move.

 

Someone from Oregon was just razzing on me, insisting that summer tires were fine in that location and it doesn't snow very much there.

So which is it? Not snow or snow.

Because even people who "know how to drive in the snow" get in trouble here on glare ice.

 

CKit, it just depends. In the valley area (Portland, Eugene, etc) there is virtually no snow. The guy who was giving you crap is from that area. I saw that thread too.

I'm in Bend, on the other side of the Cascade Mts "near" the base, so we can get a good dumping now and then (one year we had a consistant 3 ft almost all winter long) though the past years have been pretty mild.

So the answer is both.
And yes, glare ice or black ice, snow tires will not help on if you arent prepared for it. I've been driving at 45 and hit black ice before and started fishtailing down the road. Thankfully there were no cars and I was able to bring it under control without spinning out.

On the other hand, in snow, I've never had too much trouble with the S. You do have to avoid certain situations, however. Stopping on steep hills should be avoided whenever possible.