Wheel spin in 2nd

jakoye

I think the dumbest people in the world are the ones watching this "show" behind those flimsy barriers. What, do they think they'll be able to jump out of the way in time if the driver of the doughnut car goes out of control?

The stupidity of people just continues to surprise me. I know I should be cynical by now and expect it, but man...

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Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.

IDZRVIT

60 is too cold to drive around in on summer tires? Come to Canada and we'll show you how how its done!

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"America.... still builds rockets!"
Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp
'13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

ImportConvert

No.

I liked the car, but it kept breaking. Literally every 2 weeks. Not little stuff, but things like the rear-end, axles, fuel-pump shorting out (died randomly on the freeway in front of an 18-wheeler and almost got me ran over). ON AND ON AND ON!

I know why they killed that car. It was my dream car, too, until I actually had to put up with it.

When the A/C died, that was the last straw. I just got rid of it. I wanted to save money for something better and if I kept pumping $500 here, $1000 here, into that one, I never would.

When it really hit home was when I showed up for a job interview after I got stuck in a traffic jam. I had worn a dark green button-up and it was black on the back from sweat. It looked like crap. I still got the job, but I felt VERY awkward and self-conscious. It was then that I dropped the axe on my second dream car (My first is, and always will be a Viper, but I have never and will never own one).

ImportConvert

I still wonder about the Z/its tires. I was riding in my friend's 370 and when he floored it in 2nd at about 4500rpm (I forget our speed), the low-trac light or whatever it says came on. The car had broken loose in 2nd on a punch (not a shift).

Are the Z's spring-rates VERY aggressive? Are the tires just not that sticky? I remember my WS6 being able to floor it in 1st at 4000rpm or whatever and it just hooking and going. It had the same width tires (275s) as a Z, and a much more archaic suspension and a ton more torque.

I am curious why Z's seem to be traction-limited in a straight line, I would think with the 275's out back and nearly 50/50 weight dist. they would just hook like crazy.

spearfish25

^Z tire spin is an issue when it's cold. When it's hot in the summer or during a track day, a straight line throttle 'punch' doesn't spin the tires nearly as readily. Also, any any track guru will tell you that 'punching' the throttle is not how throttle should be applied....because it'll spin the tires.

The Z is skittish over bumps and uneven pavement, which would lend to your spring rate theory.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

ProfessorDave

Guys, I totally can own up to being too hard on the throttle. I'm just not used to the torque compared to what I've been driving for the last 10 years. But this was a knee jerk reaction - lots of traffic, not much room to merge, stopping on the on ramp could have been a disaster. So I punched it. Perhaps those of you who recommend VDC off are right. I would have eased off as soon as the wheels spun.

My understanding is 70 degrees is the lowest temp for optimal summer tire performance (I am no stranger to summer tires. I've had 2 sets of tires for every car I've owned for years). 50 degrees is the upper limit for winter tires (they wear away quickly above that). This was a sunny, 60 degree day, and I'd been driving for several miles. I was surprised at the aggressiveness of the VDC.

I think the advice to get some all seasons for the late fall - late spring months makes sense. I also plan to look into an LSD at some point. This was the only part of the sport package that really appealed to me.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

cab83_750

Curious? Would lowering the PSI by a few help?

ImportConvert

The Z just seemed very prone to low traction. It was 90* the night my friend and I broke his loose hitting it in 2nd. I just think it must have minimal weight transfer. I have long wondered how the 370Z is pulling the same as a corvette on the skidpad even though they weigh the same and the 'vette has much wider tires. I think the Z just has seriously aggressive spring-rates.

"Hitting" it in my WS6 never broke the tires loose. It hooked. In the rain I had to roll onto it though, then it would stick until about 5500rpm.

ImportConvert

It would increase the size of the contact patch, but with radials you will get "cupping" if you lower it much at all. Cold weather will drop the psi by 3-6 anyway (unless you have nitrogen, which I think is awesome. Used to think it was a gimmick, but I measured psi on hot days on different sides of the car before and after I went to it, and I would highly recommend nitrogen fills), and that's as low as I would take it on a radial below the regular.

samb03

lowing tire pressure doesn't do much for extra contact patch with a 35 series side wall. It you were in a pick up with 75 series tires than it can make a good differance. The side walls are so ridged I don't think you get much more tire on the ground.

alexanderb

Sorry this maybe a bit OT but is does wheel spin only happen on the MT? I have the 7AT and have not encountered this even in spirited driving. I even tried one time in a deserted road to take off VDC and aggressively accelerate in 1st and 2nd and it does not happen to me. Is there something wrong with my Z?

ImportConvert

Automatic transmissions absorb more shock. Youre tires are getting hit with a lot less "peak" energy/jolt when you floor it.

alexanderb

So does this mean that the 7AT will not have issues with wheelspin?

ImportConvert

It all depends. The tq converter is a hydraulic coupling. It dampens shock transmitted to the tires. If you were to modify the engine output so that it could over-power the tires with raw torque, then yes, it will still obviously spin.

Chan Chee Hoe

Yes,there are still wheelspin on dry weather...first 2 gear...WOT.