🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BzFCBs.GLI@bcstec.ca.boeing.com> randall@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Zaphod Beeblebrox) writes:
->Ok, we all have different thoughts on this subject. Here's what I have
->found. Each car handles differently. There are major differences between
->front and rear wheel drive vehicles. BUT, there is also weight distribution,
->center of gravity, vehicle weight etc that affect it's handling. Take my car
->for instance. `89 Honda Accord Lxi, front wheel drive, fuel-injected. It was
->my first Front-WD car, so I took it down to Portland International Raceway
->for a Race Driver Training class through a Racing Club. It was REALLY
->enlightening. I found that in MY car I steer into a skid (standard for
->front-wheel drive), but I needed to let off the gas (Non-typical for
->front-wheel drive!). Some cars have understeer, (the front slides farther
->than the rear in a skid, lessening the effect of steering), and others have
->oversteer (the rear wants to slide past the front, typical of *many* rear
->wheel drive cars). There is no point in arguing about right and wrong. If
->you find what works for *your* car, practice enough to make it habit. I also
->recommend professional training. Contact your local Race Track and ask for
->the number of any clubs. Most have some training program, and many don't
->mind having people come through for personal awareness reasons (as I did).


Isn't the net great.  One question about driving on I5 and a hoard of Mario
Andrettis pour out of the woodwork.  Hey, I'm no different.  Here's my .02
worth.

Most FWD cars understeer or plow when you hit a corner too fast be it
dry,wet or icy.  Letting up on the gas corrects this problem, ususally. 
This is good because thats your average person's normal reaction.  Try
this next time its raining.  Find a nice 180 type curve, preferably one
that is a fairly constant radius.  Gradually increase your speed as you
head into it.  Keep pushing.. The front will break loose and plow.  Back
off and the front should come back in line.  You can do this in the dry
too but the speed will be greater.  A great way to check out your cars
limits.  

Lots of great advice on snow driving.  I've lived in E Wash, Idaho,
Seattle and now Portland.  IMO, knowing how to drive in the snow is great
but the best advice is to stay the hell of the roads in these metro areas
when it snows.  Take the bus.  If you have to drive, get studded snow
tires all the way around.  Carry chains.  The best snow driver in the
world can't climb a hill if there is a line of stuck cars on it.  

Merry Xmas		

--Terry