Discussion
OK I am setting myself up for ridicule, but here goes:
I am new to Atom ownership and one of the trickier things I have noticed about driving it well, is that at low revs the engine can become a little jumpy. This in turn makes the car a little jumpy and (here's were it can get embarrassing), because the ride is firm, you can find your foot bouncing on the accelerator pedal and making the car kangaroo. I am getting better with the accelerator control, but can still find myself in a position, especially on a corner, were the last thing you want in the car unstable.
I should add that at any sort of speed or revs the problem doesn't occur. Starting from go or slow corners is where I have experienced it.
Anyone else suffer from this in early ownership and have any tips? I want to be able to maintain consistent pressure on the accelerator regardless of what the car is doing. I am thinking about adjusting the pedal to gain better control, but would be interested in other's experiences.
>> Edited by Atomize on Friday 5th August 13:14
I am new to Atom ownership and one of the trickier things I have noticed about driving it well, is that at low revs the engine can become a little jumpy. This in turn makes the car a little jumpy and (here's were it can get embarrassing), because the ride is firm, you can find your foot bouncing on the accelerator pedal and making the car kangaroo. I am getting better with the accelerator control, but can still find myself in a position, especially on a corner, were the last thing you want in the car unstable.
I should add that at any sort of speed or revs the problem doesn't occur. Starting from go or slow corners is where I have experienced it.
Anyone else suffer from this in early ownership and have any tips? I want to be able to maintain consistent pressure on the accelerator regardless of what the car is doing. I am thinking about adjusting the pedal to gain better control, but would be interested in other's experiences.
>> Edited by Atomize on Friday 5th August 13:14
Which model do you have?
I seem to remember from my test drive of the 220 that it did this a bit especially on the driveway from the factory to the road.
The 245 car I have seems to have much better low down torque and driveability so perhaps this is a factor?
>> Edited by atomic on Friday 5th August 14:23
I seem to remember from my test drive of the 220 that it did this a bit especially on the driveway from the factory to the road.
The 245 car I have seems to have much better low down torque and driveability so perhaps this is a factor?
>> Edited by atomic on Friday 5th August 14:23
OK. Firstly, never pull away in first. Second gear or even third has plenty enough torque to get you going. First is basically only for honda civics, - even 0-60 starts with 2nd gear.
Then apply this rule throughout in regular driving, always go for a higher gear. I've got used to driving around London in 5th most of the time.
Make sure that your throttle is set up the way you want it. Changing position is a bit fiddly, but attend a molecule and someone is bound to be able to show you how to do it.
Use the side rail to rest your foot against.
Or, just go around the place at full chat and then you won't be lightly on the throttle midcorner anyway
Then apply this rule throughout in regular driving, always go for a higher gear. I've got used to driving around London in 5th most of the time.
Make sure that your throttle is set up the way you want it. Changing position is a bit fiddly, but attend a molecule and someone is bound to be able to show you how to do it.
Use the side rail to rest your foot against.
Or, just go around the place at full chat and then you won't be lightly on the throttle midcorner anyway
I had the same problem when I first got it but you do quickly learn to be more controlled with the ankle and foot. It is made worse be driving the Atom as a second car because your normal daily car doesn't need the control and therefore takes a few miles before you get the control back in the Atom.
Another point I found was because the pedal height was too low I was pressing against the shaft rather than the pedal. Raising the pedal height helped lots.
Stew
Another point I found was because the pedal height was too low I was pressing against the shaft rather than the pedal. Raising the pedal height helped lots.
Stew
If it's bouncing off the limiter, that's too much. If you're still pinned to the back of the chair, you haven't got there yet. (sorry to be so technical...)
I don't know and I don't care! Just have fun...
Those with lights on the wheel will have had them set by the factory. Stick with those settings and see how you go.
I don't know and I don't care! Just have fun...
Those with lights on the wheel will have had them set by the factory. Stick with those settings and see how you go.
Bruce Fielding said:
Those with lights on the wheel will have had them set by the factory. Stick with those settings and see how you go.
As you know Bruce I just had mine reset at the factory (by Simon no less, I'm not worthy). It has help to have the lights kick in at higher rev' setting as I'm getting more use from the V-TEC.
Atomize,
This is a variant of dragster shunt: power pushes you back, takes you off the throttle, pushes you forward....
Best advice is as Bruce says, use a higher gear. You can also tilt your foot to the side so that its pushing against the floorpan / side rails of the chassis, which damps things a little.
The mod that would help here is a foot / heel rest moulded into the floor pan, so you can fix your heel position at least. You could bolt something to the floor to achieve the same thing.
Ultimately, this is a problem with any very high power-to-weight ratio car, though; so its something you have to learn to manage.
MC
This is a variant of dragster shunt: power pushes you back, takes you off the throttle, pushes you forward....
Best advice is as Bruce says, use a higher gear. You can also tilt your foot to the side so that its pushing against the floorpan / side rails of the chassis, which damps things a little.
The mod that would help here is a foot / heel rest moulded into the floor pan, so you can fix your heel position at least. You could bolt something to the floor to achieve the same thing.
Ultimately, this is a problem with any very high power-to-weight ratio car, though; so its something you have to learn to manage.
MC
Thanks for all the comments. I had already stopped using 1st in most situations. I also think the engine is running smoother the more I run it in and this is helping control at lower revs.
Stew's comment on peddle height was also interesting:
I am between a size 10 and 11 and having checked it out I doubt I am making any contact at all with the pedal plate. The ball of my foot is a good 5 or 6 cm further up the shaft. Stew, have you adjusted the pedal height yourself and, if so, do you care to share some instructions?
Stew's comment on peddle height was also interesting:
I am between a size 10 and 11 and having checked it out I doubt I am making any contact at all with the pedal plate. The ball of my foot is a good 5 or 6 cm further up the shaft. Stew, have you adjusted the pedal height yourself and, if so, do you care to share some instructions?
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