Winter + 172 = Scary!

[jonnyboy]

Just been out on whats been the coldest night of the year so far up here, very little grip and tried a bit of tasty driving without the comfort of ESP. Fook me is that my no claims bonus flying out the window lol. Seriously Im pretty worried about the lack of grip on the 172 in the cold/wet. Im thinking its an excuse to get coilovers?

 

[y0z2a]

dont drive it like you are possessed?

winter is for slow driving, summer is for getting the frustration out of your system!

:-D

/y0z

 

[Gary Brown]

Not that I have esp or abs, but Ive been thinking the same about me & my cup; I was totally out-gripped by an old 205 gti yesterday, whos driver clearly had more grip/confidence to keep it planted through some damp twisties. I kept catching up on the straight bits, but just had to back off every time a serious bend appeared. Bring back warm dry days please.

 

[jonnyboy]

Quote: Originally posted by y0z2a on 26 October 2003
dont drive it like you are possessed?winter is for slow driving, summer is for getting the frustration out of your system!:-D/y0z


Slow? I heard something about that actually but not sure what its all about. Something about driving ay 2-3000rpm Ill look into it m8

 

[specialK]

well I have had mine for nearly 3 years now, so done 2 winters - absolute rubbish that it is dangerous in the winter!! lack of grip??? dunno how you drive, but .... its the weather and the conditions and the drivers that are dangerous in the winter - there is nothing wrong with my 172 in the winter!

 

[Pete]

Dont turn the ESP off then!

 

[GR7]

Quote: Originally posted by jonnyboy on 26 October 2003

Just been out on whats been the coldest night of the year so far up here, very little grip and tried a bit of tasty driving without the comfort of ESP. Fook me is that my no claims bonus flying out the window lol. Seriously Im pretty worried about the lack of grip on the 172 in the cold/wet. Im thinking its an excuse to get coilovers?

If I were you I would get some better grippier tyres!

 

[y0z2a]

go for winter tyres...

worked a treat in DK over the last 2 winters.

brrr.... it was cold.

 

[Neil82]

Try getting some decent tyres and junk the Contis (I assume thats what you have)

 

[phill*]

turn ESP off, its no good for winter



phill*

 

[telford_mike]

You want nice new tyres for winter. By the time the warm weather arrives next year theyll be half-worn - ideal for the track

 

[Scudetto]

there are no problems with 172 handling. It has a very communicative chassis that tells you a lot about the surface of the road, and how much grip is left. Factor in that the chassis is very throttle sensitive and that you have a lump of an engine upfront, so if youre clumsy or hamfisted, the 172 tells you that youre abusing it and what your grip limits are. People often think this is poor handling. It isnt - pour it into corners, listen to what the chassis is telling you and with sentisitve use of the throttle and itll rocket securely, confidentally, communicatively and predicatably through any corners.

g

 

[RobFenn]

People always blame the car!

 

[Scudetto]

that said, because the 172 is v. throttle sensitive and can be made to slide if youre clumsy, you can either drive it rough and ragged and slide all over the shop, or treat it like a ballerina and let it dance gracefully along. It is beautifully set up, imho.

g

 

[Dust]

I agree. When driving with smooth, gentle actions it glides though any bend with ease. But if your throwing her about, driving with rough, uneasy actions it doesnt have near as much grip and feel for the road.

 

[king.stromba]

go for slicks man

 

[Dash]

Quote: Originally posted by Scudetto on 27 October 2003


listen to what the chassis is telling you

g

Should I turn the radio down a bit maybe?

 

[Tom]

Yes use the chassis luke

Good very it is

http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/hatchett/Yoda.jpg

 

[JonC]

"You see, driving a car is like making love to a beautiful woman. You have gently caress the wheel, stroke the gear stick gently apply pressure to the throttle, and only with the masterful stroking of the controls will you be able to conquer the sleek curves and bends of the road......" Swiss Tony....

 

[jonnyboy]

Quote: Originally posted by Scudetto on 27 October 2003 It has a very communicative chassis that tells you a lot about the surface of the road, and how much grip is left.


Yeah it says "aaaaaargh f**k theres no grip left" as soon asyou floor it lol.

Your kind of right in that there no problem as such with the 172 handling, far from it. But its a fact that when its slippery you can only use about 60% of the power.

I was having a bit of a play, seeing how far you could push it. Lets just say its not as far as Id expected! Dropped it from 3rd to 2nd and floored it and it just lifted up onm the front end and drifted until I came off the power. ESP is a fantasticly effective bit of kit. With ESP on theres barely a twitch.

 

[aledw]

Welcome to the Jeckyll & Hyde world of lift-off oversteer...

"I have brought on myself a punishment and a danger that I cannot name. If I am the chief of sinners, I am the chief of sufferers also. I could not think that this earth contained a place for sufferings and terrors so unmanning..."

Enjoy!

 

[Rich-D]

Welcome to the world of mailto:cr@p">cr@p tyres...

 

[jonnyboy]

Quote: Originally posted by aledw on 27 October 2003
Welcome to the Jeckyll & Hyde world of lift-off oversteer...


Never got anywhere near fast enough for that m8! try 3/4 wheel sliding lol

 

[pete_pete]

Jon C you are soooo right some people think its about smashing down the gas and stamping on the brakes etc etc treat her like a whore in the summer and a lady in the winter!

 

[Ant1]

Errrr where is the esp swicth on a mk2 172?

 

[jonnyboy]

Right hand side below the air vents next to the dial that controls the dashboard light brightness. Dont press it on a bend tho lol

 

[Ant1]

My broom broom hasnt got one!

 

[compocup]

Imagine a Cup in the Winter? I cant wait.

lol, still should save a bit of wear on the tyres however

 

[viceroy]

Move to Johannesburg in South Africa.

No rain or ice in winter (just some icy winds from the Cape) and frost on the grass. Low temps are 2 degrees and Highs are 20 degrees

In summer we get 30 minutes of rain in the afternoon. Temps range between 15 degrees on a cold morning to 35 degrees in the middle of summer.

Only one set of tyres all year round (unless you want a spare set for events)

Only problem is the altitude which causes some severe power loss.

Im getting my car dynod on the 8th November so Ill post the results. My car is pretty strong by all accounts so we cant exactly blame it on the fact that the car is one of the poorer 172s