I just did a 540 degree spin on interstate 440. I was driving down the road at about 68 mph and saw a puddle from an overpass spilling heavy water over the side of it, so I slowed down to somewhere around 65. Hit the puddle then the world started to spin. Next thing I knew I was going backwards at about 50. I had tried to do all the stuff you are supposed to do like, turn into the spin, don't stomp on the brakes. But when I started going backwards the engine died. Guess what, no more antilock brakes without the motor running. I got real lucky, not a scratch on the car.
My tires on my 01 have about 8500 mile on them. I have never done burnouts. I like to take on ramps and off ramps fast. I don't think I am particularly hard on tires, would these tires be worn out? After that, any semi-deep water the back end of the car broke loose. My 03, with 600 miles on it, has been in heavy rain like that and I know it wasn't that squirrelly.
Do the S02's wearout that fast? And do they perform that bad in the rain? Could have lost the car, but got lucky and didn't hit a thing.
Any input would help.
Thanks...

 

dude that really sucks. I had that happen to me in my truck.... The 02 wear out at a high rate .....and yes I would say they do peform pretty bad in the rain........ You probably hit the puddle with only one tire or hit with borh tires at different times. hum..... and you also might have been slightly still on the break when you hit the puddle.... Go thing is no one got hurt...better luck next time....
BTW I don't think this belongs to UTH
Beroz

 

Yes, they wear out quickly. Yes, they are bad in the rain. And you may have unloaded the rear in your attempt to slow for the water, bringing on the spin.

The stories on this board regarding spins are not fiction, and all the people that argue are for the most part in denial regarding the facts.

 

I can start to see the whole thing a little clearer.
It scared the chit out of me.

 

Was it raining at the time? Was the road wet from a previous rain? Or was it just the one puddle?

 

--Knock on wood--

 

When you reduced the speed, were you in VTEC? That would also increase the likelihood of spinout. Also, 8500 might be getting close to bare depending on how you drive. We've heard s02's go bare as low as 6,000.

 

have you checked the wear on the tires? the insides tend to wear faster so they make look ok from the outside, you need to look up under the fenders to see how worn they are.

the S02s are mainly a dry performance tire, they are reasonable in the wet if you're careful.

 

im glad nothing happened to you and your car. whenever it rains, i always take it easy...

 

Just for the record -- you might already know this, but I wasn't sure from your description -- you want to turn into the spin and not brake heavily when the car gets sideways, but once you've definitely lost control, the rule is both feet (clutch and brake) in. This will help slow the car and also prevent it from stalling.

At least you didn't hit anything or get hit by anything...

Steve