The Winter "Diesel On The Road" Thread

[mattcambs]

Diesel on the "Tesco" roundabout in Huntingdon!

A fairly healthy amount of opposite lock was required this morning to avoid a slow motion spin as I passed the apex of the roundabout below.



The roundabout is notorious for having diesel on it due to the petrol station off it.

In no way was I going too fast, or accelerating at the time. It just goes to show how the weight balance of a mk2 can get you in trouble (Tein HAs don't help either).

Drive very carefully guys and girls

[now give me a second to take cover from all the abuse I'm going to receive]

[blue2]

Be very careful, I span mine 180 degrees going no more than 15mph on a wet roundabout, I looked a right plonker!

[Ben]

I'll second that... I managed a 15mph tank-slapper a couple of weeks ago on a wet corner!
First MR car and all

[ryan]

Diesel my ar$e, you just cant drive!

[mattcambs]

Diesel my ar$e, you just cant drive!

Oh contrare! Had I not been able to drive, I would not have been able to apply the correct amount of opposite lock to counter the over-steer

[mattcambs]

Just thought I'd add that this is a genuine thread about being careful this time of year. I know through bitter experience how badly it can go wrong. This latest episode just reminded me how easy it is to get out of shape if you hit a very greasy bit of road.

[BarronMR]

I love the slow-mo opp-lock slide. As long as nowt untoward of course...

[Stealthy]

I had this the other week, going round a roundabout at 5mph ( I kid you not ) with a constant throttle and the back just let go, wasn't expecting that at all!
Easily corrected and no harm done though

[mattcambs]

I had this the other week, going round a roundabout at 5mph ( I kid you not ) with a constant throttle and the back just let go, wasn't expecting that at all!
Easily corrected and no harm done though

Good man

Drive safe

[Slarty]

The one and only time I've encountered diesel on the road was stepping out of my car at the petrol station.

Cue my right leg going off on a wander while the rest of me was still trying to get out of the car

[C50]

Be very careful, I span mine 180 degrees going no more than 15mph on a wet roundabout, I looked a right plonker!

me too but bounced off barrier

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=75280

[matt_mr2t]

My rear stepped out last year on a mini round about when I was turning 90 degrees to the right.

I was in 1st or 2nd and barely touching the throttle at all. It took me by surprise but luckily it bit back and I got grip before the passenger side swung into the metal fence at the side of the road.

[mattcambs]

My rear stepped out last year on a mini round about when I was turning 90 degrees to the right.

I was in 1st or 2nd and barely touching the throttle at all. It took me by surprise but luckily it bit back and I got grip before the passenger side swung into the metal fence at the side of the road.

It's just soooo possible in these cars. It annoys me when people say it's always 100% driver fault. The fact is that front engine cars just aren't nearly as susceptible to oversteer due to road conditions.

It's why I drive very, very cautiously (read very slowly) when it's wet/greasy. Unfotunately, for me it kills the fun factor of driving these cars.

Roll on Spring

[matt_mr2t]

It was very cold that day and tbh, it was probably icey and pulling off in 1st gear over a mini roundabout with ice one wasnt the best idea.

Simple lessons you learn - if it's icey pull away in a higher gear.

So I could take the blame for it tbh.

[tonigmr2]

I know that roundabout, it is a bit of a b1tch. Very slippy normally!

Worst diesel incident I ever came across - it was lying in thick red puddles adjacent a farm. I didn't realise, went through, then found it very difficult to brake shortly after... Reported it to the cops and road was closed off for about 4 hours causing major congestion in the area...but at least no accidents! That was lethal. It was a very odd experience having the brakes on full, but you don't even slow down..or get any ABS cut in...!!
T

[Lauren]

It's just soooo possible in these cars. It annoys me when people say it's always 100% driver fault. The fact is that front engine cars just aren't nearly as susceptible to oversteer due to road conditions.

It's why I drive very, very cautiously (read very slowly) when it's wet/greasy. Unfotunately, for me it kills the fun factor of driving these cars.

Roll on Spring

It's still the drivers fault though after all its you that accelerated and lost control. Best way to sort it is to get used to being able to read the car and react to the situation. You'll find it then becomes more of a sport than a chore.

Personally I used to quite enjoy the winter in a RWD car, lots of fun at roundabouts and on the odd occasion when i misread the amount of grip available, all of a sudden I was enjoying myself.

[mattcambs]

It's still the drivers fault though after all its you that accelerated and lost control. Best way to sort it is to get used to being able to read the car and react to the situation. You'll find it then becomes more of a sport than a chore.

Lauren, you're such a stirrer I didn't accelerate, that's the thing. I took the racing(ish) line across the roundabout on a light throttle at a moderate speed. If I did the same in my Civic it would have resulted in no more than a hint of understeer (I use this roundabout every day in the Civic, so know it very well).

My experience of mk2s is that they're quite hard to read in the wet. My first experience of big oversteer in the wet resulted in a bent lampost and a smashed MR2 (as you may remember from last year) - I had no feedback from the car whatsoever that it was going to let go.

The same thing happened here. Although I had the time to ease off the gas and steer into the slide, I had no idea that I was at, or even near the slip point.

The fact is that I could have (and have done in the past) gone across the roundabout even faster in my Civic knowing - and FEELING - exactly how the tyres were gripping.

I'm sure something like an MX5 would be fun to play around in the wet with, but I daren't in my MR2 because with its current setup I just can't tell where its limits are very easily.

I suppose, though, Ihave to concede that: "yes officer, I lost control of my vehicle........."

[Lauren]

My experience of mk2s is that they're quite hard to read in the wet. My first experience of big oversteer in the wet resulted in a bent lampost and a smashed MR2 (as you may remember from last year) - I had no feedback from the car whatsoever that it was going to let go.

The same thing happened here. Although I had the time to ease off the gas and steer into the slide, I had no idea that I was at, or even near the slip point.

The fact is that I could have (and have done in the past) gone across the roundabout even faster in my Civic knowing - and FEELING - exactly how the tyres were gripping.

I'm sure something like an MX5 would be fun to play around in the wet with, but I daren't in my MR2 because with its current setup I just can't tell where its limits are very easily.

I suppose, though, Ihave to concede that: "yes officer, I lost control of my vehicle........."

DING! Mk2 tubbys are not easy to read at all you are quite right about that. They have a lack of feel. This is exactly why i'd never want to own one, no offence meant. I like my cars to be progressive even in greasy conditions and there are plenty of cars that can do that.

[matt_mr2t]

My 4 years experience of the mk2 tubby has taught me this.

Grip
Grip
Grip
Grip
BACKWARDS - usually in a hedge.

There seems to me to be no inbetween really, you're either having a whale of a time or you f it up spectacularly.

I hardly ever touch the throttle unless it's bone dry these days.

[tonigmr2]

To be fair I don't think ALL tubbies have no feel...I've had a couple that were nightmares and one or two that were lovely. I think it's entirely down to suspension and set-up! But finding the sweet spot is harder on that car I think than a little FWD.

T