chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Twice over the winter period I've had the back step out on me in 3rd as the 2nd turbo comes online with urgency (foot down). It happened today, going in a straight line in the dry! Ok I don't mind/expect it in low gears at low speed (or in the wet or ice), but this is at a reasonable speed in reasonable conditions! My car has not that long been BPU'd so to some extent I'm learning its characteristics / capabilities. On the back I have near new Falkon 275-35-18's - these seemed really good when I first got the car. It's probably just the combo of BPU, the time of year and that I need RLTC (that goes without saying) - but in addition now I'm just wondering about my tyres, are they not up to the job? Has anyone else had any trouble with them? Do I just need RLTC or will I initially be covering up for inadequacies in the tyres until I change them? In which case I'll change theem first before RLTC I expect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucifer Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Just enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 lol I would but is it safe? I back off the throttle asap when this happens for fear of a 180, maybe I need a good test track to try it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 In conditions like the last few weeks, 2nd turbo will probably mean some slip if you don't have RLTC. I don't have RLTC and if i let the 2nd tubby come on line the wheels are spinning. Falken tyres are ok, not the greatest but not shite, a lot of people find Goodyears to be a good all round tyre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 ok cheers, might stick with them then and save the pennies for RLTC as soon as I can get it Don't mind if the tyres are not the best, so long as it's not another Avon moment lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymanuk Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I have falken but 265-35-ZR19's. These are not the best tyres for the current road conditions to be honest but they do grip well but not as good as some of the other well known brands such as goodyear's. I usually take it easy on the throttle till I get to about 4500rpm's and then give it a bit more on the loud peddle when the car is pulling nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 yeah agreed I tend to adopt that style myself, feed the power in more gently but after a long drive sometimes I get enthusiastic lol. Must learn to drive with brain in gear at all times, especially in this weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyJawa Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Even at this time of year a dry road is still a really greasy road from all the shit put down to stop them icing over. Needs a good spell of rain to clear it all away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymanuk Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Must learn to drive with brain in gear at all times, especially in this weather! Well said fella Even at this time of year a dry road is still a really greasy road from all the shit put down to stop them icing over. Needs a good spell of rain to clear it all away. Definately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkey Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I am geniunely confused why people "test" their cars in this winter weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyJawa Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I am geniunely confused why people "test" their cars in this winter weather. Less tyre wear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Peace Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Continental contact sports and they r ok....but wait till the roads are drier...some people actually take their Supras off the road in winter.. There is a surpise element with Supra driving in the winter months...i am always waiting for the arse to slip out...concious of it a lot more and on my guard for it...it happens..i dont have RLTC so cant comment on that...the power delivery on BPU like mine..can be quite agressive especially with the cold air...and slip out often happens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 the power delivery on BPU like mine..can be quite agressive especially with the cold air...and slip out often happens... I think this is what I'm finding, regardless of the absolute bhp level (not dyno'd yet) the sudden transition to turbos 1+2 and the large torque you get seems to be able to spin the wheels real easy. Will try to accomodate for this then, doesn't help that I don't drive it every day, I usually drive a 40-50 bhp 1.2 or an 80 bhp (yes thats a whole 80 bhp, no less) 1.4 lol Really am thinking RLTC can be the best thing for the car next, you not considering it yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I'd just stay off the 2nd turbo dude unless you're confident the back won't completely go and give you a date with a tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 This is where Autos come in nicely as they keep you in relatively lower gears when they can. Just cruise around. As soon as I put the tiptronic on it's another matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 lol well another driving style I adopt is to get into the low gears asap, almost straight into 6th, lucky the motor is so torquey pulls like a train, still leaves most things behind anyway Presumably the downside of the auto is sudden kick down/gear change just when you don't want it, especially bad for this time of year. I can't see how that is better than a regular manual though - but keeping to the lowest gears (auto or manual) does seem to make a lot of sense, just driving off of turbo no #1. I guess it's my own fault, for giving it too much right foot in 3rd at this time of year. probably it's just a combo of: I used to own a 4wd. I've never had a car quite so powerful before. It's slippery. I could have slightly better tyres. The cars standard traction control is poo. I need RLTC to compensate for the above. Oh and I like giving it some welly lol - doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Falken tyres are shite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 lol, difference of opinion, what are you comparing them too? sh1te all round or shite in the wet/damp? they seemed really grippy in the summer but maybe I was closer to the limit than I expected :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadyn Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 l what are you comparing them too? My front falkens in 245/40/18 that skip around when I push the car hard. If I had a death wish I'd put them on the rears.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pig Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Mate, Glad to see your considering RLTC, before mine went on i had the back go more than once at 80 MPH went a couple of time when i really wasnt expecting it aswell! Sometimes one cant help the heavy foot but RLTC takes the brain out of your penis and puts it back in your head that reminds you not to push it in these conditions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I still have an auto really. Well apart from when I have to physically stop when I have to put it in 2nd. 2nd is good to 30 and 6th copes with the rest adequately so for a lazy auto driver like me the torque is great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire148 Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I don't think at this time of year that any tyres will cope with the lack of grip on the roads. You just can't keep the heat in them unless you are on the ragged end all the time ... which you can't do without losing your licence ! My wheels were spinning at 90 in 3rd, but if you know its coming, its nothing to worry about, just back off to 1/2 throttle until they grip and then ease the power on again. Dont recommend coming off the throttle completely as that can cause more trouble ... especially if there is someone behind you ! Dont be tempted to 'steer' into any sideways movement as you will most likely spin when the weight transfers over, just wait for the car to straighten itself out when the wheels grip again. Might be worth checking your tyre pressures though ... so many people dont do this at this time of year and it can make a HUGE difference to the grip levels you get ... regardless of tyre brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Yeah that. Its the width of the tyre itself that causes the problem. Unless you buy winter tyres from nordic lands you won't find a huge amount of grip difference between most of the top brands in this weather. Even nordic winter tyres are far thinner than the summer ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 ok cheers for the advice, whats a recommended pressure for my tyres? When I first got it, it was at 30psi all round which felt a bit low/spongy. Since I've gone to 32 and now 34 at the moment. sizes are front 235/35/18 and rear 275/35/18 I think, fronts a Bridgestone's and havn't slipped once yet, seem really nice, maybe I need those for the back but suspect they cost a reasonable £ Good to hear RLTC does it's job nicely too, must start a fund for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyJawa Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I had Falkens on my GTR when I got it and I was surprised that they weren't half bad for a budget tyre. Still not up to F1's, but not that bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.