Losing it in the wet

[K.K.]

Last night in the rain, I was driving on a perfectly straight road, nice and wide, no other cars around (rare in London). I was cruising in third gear at about 3000rpm and decided to change down to second and give it some welly - not silly acceleration but the kind that puts a knowing smile on your face. Well, basically I don't know what happened next, I lost the rear of the car - which I managed to control after a few swerves and skids, straggling the centre of the road (I was lucky - no cars in opposide direction, no damage, all safe apart from my smile having rapidly disappeared). I know it was raining, but it was a straight road and the acceleration was not all that severe - does this sound familiar to anyone or is it me? Has anyone else had a similar "brown pants" moment on a straight road? I hadn't realised the Tam could be so sensitive in the wet when it is soooo fantastic on dry roads! Help

[nick heppinstall]

I had a similar thing happen to me in the wet years ago. I was driving a Cobra along a straight road. 'Very' slight excelleration in 4th gear. Just over 2000rpm and the back end went. If you have loads of torque you have to ve 'very' careful in the wet.

[Stig]

I'd just like to congratulate you on being one of the few gassing members who can differntiate between 'losing' it in the wet and 'loosing' it

[beano500]

Stig said:

I'd just like to congratulate you on being one of the few gassing members who can differntiate between 'losing' it in the wet and 'loosing' it

Something else usually gets "loosened" in these sort of circumstances!!!

[maddog-uk]

Yes I had a similar moment a few weeks back. Felt like a real charlie. But glad that I know what it feels like, basically like racing my go kart on slicks in standing water!

[CraigAlsop]

Tyre temp makes a big difference (even in the wet).
It's always a bit of a surprise as Autumn comes each year, and the traction levels decrease dramatically.
I find that a few hard brakes & accelerates warm things up nicely before attempting any hoonery.

[K.K.]

[/quote]
Something else usually gets "loosened" in these sort of circumstances!!![/quote]

You're not wrong!!!!

[jimmyt]

Yep, I had a nice big slide in 2nd gear last night on a lightly wet, straight road, and then again in 3rd!!

Tyres, brakes etc. all warm.

Anything other than exceptionally light acceleration will get the back wheels spinning when the roads are wet I find.

Just gotta take it easy. 350 BHP, shedloads of torque in a rear wheel drive car that weighs nothing does not mix well with water!

[fish]

I've had the backend go on a Tuscan at 100+ in third.

WHEN not if you apply full throttle in a very powerful car in the wet it will lose the back end or break traction. If you stick your foot down like it will generally happen.

[sacha]

happened to me too in germany last week, quietly driving along in 5th at around 70, slight acceleration in a straight line and the back end came out, i was very lucky as it was heavy traffic and car all around me! must say, people gave me loads of space after that!

[cropsprayer]

fish said:

WHEN not if you apply full throttle in a very powerful car in the wet it will lose the back end or break traction. If you stick your foot down like it will generally happen

Thanks for that explanation fish