Cup: How to stay alive this winter.

[fizzy_drink]

Can anyone/everyone who has good mechanical knowledge please post your advice on driving 172 Cups this winter.

Things like Tyres / Wheels / Suspension.

Ta,

Oms.

 

[run115]

Basically keep the car under 60mph! Do not nail it round corners etc.... There is nothing much you can do to suspension etc... unless you are running coilovers, which in that case i think i would soften it a bit more so as to have more travel.

 

[Fred@BTM]

Go Slow

 

[benji&eka]

it was so cold this morning my dampers were crap until they warmed up, the oil was too thick

 

[clio__chris]

Go Slow

exactly and be smooth

the way i think of it is that its better to loose a bit of speed/time than loose ur car in the hedge or worse

trouble is there will always be some idiot behind u who is right up ur ass

 

[Ali]

Take the bus to work...Ur as likely to have a crash in a 172 to be honest...ABS, has it's limitations.

 

[fizzy_drink]

What about tyre recommendations?
Repair Bills and Insurance Excess Vs The price of winter rubber?

 

[Pete]

Just take it easy, don't be caining it everywhere, be aware that stopping distances will be longer and that grip will be less. It's just common sense.

 

[iPap]

As Loony posted in another thread:

Grip is as low as 20% of original under 5 degrees.

 

[The Hoff]

My tips would be:

1. Make slow deliberate steering actions, turn the whell in a smooth manner. Sharp rapid directional change = loss of traction before hitting object.

2. Also ABS or not i firmly bleieve in engine braking, you can come to a complete stand-still without even touching your brakes if your travelling at a reasonable speed. It also helps you to understand your gear ratios. So with correct change downs on approach to corner, while letting the clutch out slowly, and some light braking you can be a lot more in control of your vehicle.

3. Don't drive like a tool, you'll hate yourself when you crash.

4. Use 1 gear higher than you normally would do in good conditions. So if you normally steer a corner/roundabout in 2nd, make sure your in third. This means your revs are lower and a blip of the throttle won't cause catostrophic reaction like chronic understeer.

5. Also, make sure you test your brakes before you need to call on them, ice can develope on the disc itself and until thats gone, your brakes are ineffective.

The biggest thing though is common sense and logic, be safe

 

[fizzy_drink]

Spot-on: Lower temp = less grip

But there's worse things out there: Like Ice, and snow is already on its way - that's why I was refering to winter rubber.

 

[Lunner]

Can anyone/everyone who has good mechanical knowledge please post your advice on driving 172 Cups this winter.

Things like Tyres / Wheels / Suspension.

Ta,

Oms.

Drive at a suitable speed for the conditions, ie dont' drive like a tit on slippery roads, a good driver should never have the traction control/ABS kick in.

Still can't unsertand why so many cups die at this time of year, but yet the Williams 1's for example survive fine......could have SOMETHING to do with the type of people who drive them and their skills:clown:

 

[sh33n]

As fred said; drive slow, only thing for it!

And that doesn't matter what car you are in.

 

[lee_cup]

yeh they all drive them like t***s, simple as!

 

[drsmith]

i find it quite interesting that people are almost scared and afraid of driving their 172 cups during winter. in my experience its not that different from any car, you push any car in the wrong areas, conditions and it will be off into a hedge! so i think its more to do with the driver rather than the car. i think sometimes we are all guilty of driving to excess in the wrong conditions so its just all down to common sense. i agree that there are lots of cups written off in the winter and colder months, but this isnt purely down to the lack of ABS or traction control, its about driver error. driving is supposed to be an enjoyable experience which is why we all join owners clubs and associate ourselves with people who share our passion for cars. i think we have to be careful not to cross the line between giving careful and sensible advice and scare mongering, as i think the scare mongering aspect can actually create a problem in itself as people perceive the car to be dangerous even before they have been in one and therefore change their usual driving style and infact over compensate for the conditions and the car and actually cause an accident themselves. i dont feel there are any special requirements that only apply to the 172 cup, but merely common sense rules that apply to all cars which are appropriate to the conditions.

 

[Fred@BTM]

the amount of cups hat have been written off over the past 3 years, 99% in winter

 

[Subway]

I'm sorry but topics like this are just so pointless!

Think about logically...

You go fast...you put yourself a greater risk of crashing.
You go slow…you lessen your chance of crashing.

Which one do I pick?

Oh yea, go slow...

Slow, slow, slow, slow, slow!

I'm 18 with a cup, only had it 3 weeks...oh god I am going to crash says everyone! I maybe in a fast car but I am not stupid, at the moment I am sticking BELOW the speed limit. Respect the car for what it can do in the dry, respect the car even more for what I can not do in the wet/ice.

 

[fizzy_drink]

Each to their own then....

I personally might go for a set of winter skinnies on 15's (if it really gets bad, and I MUST drive for work or another reason).

 

[Adam]

i really need to change my tyres quick.....ive got Millenium star on the rear...(oh dear god.)...ive already had a few scares in the wet.

 

[jonnyboy]

I agree this post is pretty gay. Why do you need to make any preperations for winter in a mainstream hatchback car? Skinny 15s to give you even less grip? Top idea!

Just drive according to conditions?? My biggest worry over the winter is keeping the bugger clean!

 

[Adam]

too true tho...im already going round corners and roundabouts like an oap.

 

[miketheman2k]

Does yozzasport sell a caterpillar tread conversion yet?

 

[Adam]

^^^lol..

 

[fizzy_drink]

^^

Now that would be cool...!

 

[fizzy_drink]

I agree this post is pretty gay. Why do you need to make any preperations for winter in a mainstream hatchback car?

The attitude of "drive it slow" is sensible... but isn't the only thing that one can do... perhaps some of you should be more open-minded.

My friend was driving to work in his Jag a few years back... crashed on the way there (despite doing only 20mph)... then parked up at work.

He finished work... and his car wouldn't go anywhere apart from round in circles round the car-park.

He gives me a call... I turn-up... tow-rope... pull him out, back onto the road no problem (in my front-wheel-drive hatchback).

It was snowy/icy... and wasn't predicted in the forecast either.

So a few things:

1) Going slow didn't stop him from crashing (sh*t happens)

2) Decent tyres gave me enough grip to tow a nearly 2tonne car (preparation)

3) Had he had decent rubber, he wouldn't have crashed or got stuck in the first place (preparation)

4) Had he parked facing the downward slope, gravity would have helped him get some momentum to get out of, and round the car-park (observation/forward planning)

What's more gay?

A) To crash/slide/bump/scratch your car.... :clown:

or to

B) Take part in exchanging ideas, and be well prepared?

 

[Rob669]

Option B is the right answer folks! Good one, Omar.

Rob669

 

[Tim]

i love driving me cup in the winter it makes you consentrate more which means you are more aware on whats going on around you and to keep those distances bigger from the car in front . but its fun to . and for cleaning the f***er not worth it as iam going up and down the motor way everyday .

 

[Tim]

its all part of having a cup . when the weathers good you get good driving and when the weathers bad you are more allert .

 

[Ambo]

Learn to cadence brake!

 

[lee_cup]

like i said before, don't drive like a prick and you won't crash it. It annoys me because all these people write off theirs cups and then blame it on the fact that it doesn't have ABS or something.
COMPLETE b****cks
The cup is just like any other car, the brakes works really well, and will be fine in the winter..... IF........ YOU DON'T DRIVE LIKE A KNOB!

Sorry rant over..... LOL

 

[stu8v]

The attitude of "drive it slow" is sensible... but isn't the only thing that one can do... perhaps some of you should be more open-minded.

My friend was driving to work in his Jag a few years back... crashed on the way there (despite doing only 20mph)... then parked up at work.

He finished work... and his car wouldn't go anywhere apart from round in circles round the car-park.

He gives me a call... I turn-up... tow-rope... pull him out, back onto the road no problem (in my front-wheel-drive hatchback).

It was snowy/icy... and wasn't predicted in the forecast either.

So a few things:

1) Going slow didn't stop him from crashing (sh*t happens)

2) Decent tyres gave me enough grip to tow a nearly 2tonne car (preparation)

3) Had he had decent rubber, he wouldn't have crashed or got stuck in the first place (preparation)

4) Had he parked facing the downward slope, gravity would have helped him get some momentum to get out of, and round the car-park (observation/forward planning)

What's more gay?

A) To crash/slide/bump/scratch your car.... :clown:

or to

B) Take part in exchanging ideas, and be well prepared?

Rain or shine, ABS or not it makes no difference IMHO its roadcraft that matters.

 

[MarkCup]

Learn to cadence brake!

That's exactly what I used to say.

Having just completed my IAM training, I now say...

Learn to read your environment, the messages are all around you, act upon what you see/feel/hear/smell in good time and overall be smooth and restrained...unless road and traffic conditions allow of course

Disclaimer - I do not drive like a w***** all the time :evil:

 

[lawrence]

all i can say is if your that worried about driving your cup in the winter months maybe you are better off taking the bus or public transport?!!!

common sense prevails in in bad weather conditions, allow extra journey time too, no point rushing around!

Markcup-im just about to start mine funnily enough, what do you actually have to do for the AIM?

 

[Andy GDI]

That's exactly what I used to say.

Having just completed my IAM training, I now say...

Learn to read your environment, the messages are all around you, act upon what you see/feel/hear/smell in good time and overall be smooth and restrained...unless road and traffic conditions allow of course

Disclaimer - I do not drive like a w***** all the time :evil:

do you know how good that is to read...... someone has done some training.....

"observation" is key......

I have completed 3 Rospa corses now and you just dont know what you dont know...

try it and suprise yourself.

 

[Andy GDI]

oh speed does not kill...

inappropriate use of speed kills...

 

[James Bushell]

Can anyone/everyone who has good mechanical knowledge please post your advice on driving 172 Cups this winter.

Things like Tyres / Wheels / Suspension.

Ta,

Oms.

Omar.. pretty simple really... hold it flatout everywhere...!!! That reminds me you coming on the brekkie run on the 11th..

 

[James Bushell]

That's exactly what I used to say.

Having just completed my IAM training, I now say...

Learn to read your environment, the messages are all around you, act upon what you see/feel/hear/smell in good time and overall be smooth and restrained...unless road and traffic conditions allow of course

Disclaimer - I do not drive like a w***** all the time :evil:

LOL..

 

[fizzy_drink]

Omar.. pretty simple really... hold it flatout everywhere...!!! That reminds me you coming on the brekkie run on the 11th..

Ooo... errr... dunno.

Depends on my employment status :s