I finally experienced driving on slick roads w/ the 'Bird earlier tonight. It's SCARY when your RR breaks loose when you don't want it to. At least I know it can break loose the RR w/ the V6

Does anyone have any tips for driving in the rain?? Or other inclement weather ? (So Cali Drivers don't really get that much practice, so I need the advice)

 

Spend some time in no-cal!

Just don't drive as fast and slow down for the turns a little more and you will be fine. The scariest weather I have to drive in are the high winds we get in the Central Valley.

I got caught by a strong gust that came out of no ware one time that blew me 3 lanes over!!!!! Rain is no big deal. Rain combined with high wind and a light 3rd gen, now it's time to **** your pants!!!

 

well, i've got one that'll top both of those
....
leaving my girls place in norther missouri, headed sourthely and drove 4 hours (on a trip that takes 2.75) to get to my college. And get this, through a freakin blizzard, well, 6 inches of snow, huge drifts, with whiteout conditions. The only other rear drive cars i saw, (not trucks) were on the sides of the roads. For a ogod portion of the trip i was doing 35 on 65 mph highways. Was the scariest experience in my life, litterally. I kept saying to myself that i wasn't going ot make it, imagne having that rear end break lose at 55-60mph while there are cars approaching u in the other lane doing 60 mph, getting the back end under control, and then resuming the drive....i highly don't recommend bad weather (extreeme bad weather, snow, sleet, ice, etc.) in the birds, rain, i can handle. knock on wood.

 

needless to say, any f-body or most rr drive cars for that matter dont make good winter cars.. if u notice, that y MOST ppl store f-bodies in the winter (that and they dont want the other "elements" (ie: salt, harsh weather) exposed to these cars).. best advice for driving in the rain, SLOW DOWN, brake BEFORE turns.. spend a month drivin in the snow and ull be used to it really quick (i spent a yr in vermont, i hated driving there.. and that was in a 4x4 blazer)..

mike (loomdog)

 

if the rearend breaks loose or starts to slide out sideways in the rain just get off the gas, let the wheels catch and you should be fine. i have never spun out in the rain. accelerating up hills is a bitch, so if you pull out make sure you have enought time to get up to speed.

in the snow....i like to manual shift. and i like to downshift to slow down in stead of breaking. once the tires lock there is no chance of steering the car. so i prefer to downshift, wheels keep rollin'....you slow down....and you can still steer. just be careful where you downshift in the rpm range though. if you downshift at the wrong spot (say 3 to 2) and your rpms shoot up, you tires may slow you down enough to lose traction and you go into a skid anyway.....hope the makes sense.

be smart....be careful....and just get there....

 

Are you serious,
THAT LITTLE BIT OF RAIN STARTLED YA?
I'll go easy on ya.
Being from back east, what's weather.
You're driving in it or not.
AND CORVETTES are the BEST snow cars. Full tank of gas! I know, drove them in snow many many years.
One.
You start to slide, rear end slips, etc.
SLAM GEARSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL.
You have today to practice this in a parking lot lot discover what happens. It helps. Do it to find out.
Two
Good windshield wipers!
Three
TIRES THAT GRIP IN THE WET! I think you discovered that's important too.
Really here's how I'll take it easy on ya.
Those "First Rains" just raise the OILS & GREASE on the road. Heavy good rains wash off the roads.
It's so easy to drive in lousy weather if you have all the above.
It's safe. Except for the others.
How do I know this?
I live where you do, San Fernando Valley.
That "Live Doppler 7000" allowed me to get cars covered before rain came from Simi Valley.

 

(laughs)

GO SLOW!

That's all you need.

 

best advice i can give:

firestone firehawk SZ-50's

they handle incredible in the rain!!!!

 

I don't drive my Firebird in the rain any more.
I bought a 4x4 for the rain....

 

A 4X4 for rain? What would you guys do if you lived in Wisconsin?

 

I have one so why not use it in the rain. Besides you can see over everyone car.

If I ever decide to move to Wisconsin. I'll try to figure it out...

Beside I have too many cars to drive anyway... (Wife want me to get ride of one or two)

 

I just passed up buying a 1977 Firebird MINT PERFECT RUST FREE BODY.
I don't need no more cars
And I'm buying my second motorcycle engine, now! I want to go faster on my CB 200 Honda! Using a 175 engine now.

 

DAMN SKIPPY. Even my SH-30's did great. Try driving in an area that sees ice like 1 time outta every 10 years.

Thats fun seeing people drive like idiots speeding and skidding into trees. LOL. But I had BFG rad ta on my car when I first got it and it did not matter what was on the road the slipped. I took a turn from a stop to turn left. Ended up doing a 720! I was doing 5 yes 5 MPH. The next day they came off.

never had another problem that was not High rev shift or other purpose slip induced.

try driving on roads that have an inch of road salt on them! thats fun..... Then again tring to get traction on a sand covered road is fun as well.

 

HE EH I had bought a new 94? Ninja 600 R. a month later I swapped in a 900CC R motor bored/stroked to 1010 CC. THAT WAS A FUN BIKE! Paid 6700? I think for the bike sold it 3 years later for 12K.... Thing ran FAST AS HELL at the track. The best my freind could pull on it was LOW 10's @ 150 plus MPH. With severe wheel spin. I got into 6th 2 times in the time I owned it. 5th was enough for me.

 

Funny how I have BFG radial t/a's all around, and that's never happened to me, eh?

 

hat can I say Tom your car is "special" I had those things and they were worthless.

 

Wow, I wish rain was the only thing I had to worry about driving in. Your best bet: move to Alaska for a year, drive everywhere in your 3rd gen during all weather types, move back to So Cal. I haven't tried this, but I'm sure it would be an excellent lesson. Hmmm, I wonder what would happen in the freak event of snow in So Cal? Half an inch I think would be enough to declare a state wide disaster.

 

Crazy Firebird Kid,

It just brings the highways to a crawl. about a month and a half ago we got about an 1 inch in some parts of the cnetral valley in no-cal (it stayed on the ground for a wopping 2 days). Sucked becuase they closed most of the mountain passes I use to avoid traffic. Other then that it was no big deal.

 

Yes, for a guy that has only had 6 months of driving experience and does not even have his license yet (permit, though... taking the license test on saturday, the weather guy says it'll be clear), it kinda freaked me out how little it takes for the 'Bird to lose traction. I can't even imagine having a V8 right now. The nice thing about the rain is that when the sun comes out, my car looks like it was just washed. I probably put too much wax on it or somethin.

Oh and my tires are kinda old, they've been on the car since it was repainted in '97.

Thank goodness it seldom rains here.

 

Put new tires on it!!!! You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

I know every time I have low presure in a tire becuase my car brakes lose so easy when they are low by just a few PSI.


Fact ---

More accidents are caused by incorectly in flated tires and worn tires then by drunk drivers.

Just some thing to think about. Check you presure every week, and get those tires replaced.

 

That's the difference between other places & CA.
MEANING-
I grew up out in the sticks of PA, when I started to drive. We went to a parking lot and played behind wheel of car, with my Dad watching and coaching. I've been behind the wheel of a car I guess since 1960 - 63.
NOT DRIVING BUT...
Suggestion.
Go to arcade in Japan Town. I found this GREAT ARCADE GAME!
SIt in booth, drive a Ralley Car down dirt roads and such.
Skid, go up hillsides, pass other cars real crazy, the seat gives ya "real world" feedback.
Watch old car races (on Speed Vision or whatever it's called now), run in the rain. Check out what happens.
Oh, NEW tires make a HUGH difference.
FOR SoCal Streets.
Go to Tire Rack. Look in issue of Car & Driver or Motor Trend or Road & Track for phone #.
I'd get Goodyear Eagle GA's (T rated) for these streets. Stock size is just fine.
They stick like glue & are very long wearing and comfortable.
When ya hit the water patches from here to Malibu (via Topanga Canyon), car still stick to the road.
Tire choice in your specific cliamte is very improtant.
I can't wait until all my cheap tires wear out. But that's about 25,000 to go!

 

Wow; all you guys talk about losing traction in the wet, and to buy different tires, and everything- WHY?

GO SLOW. I've driven on bald tires in the rain, and never lost traction. Sure I could lose traction on purpose, but why? If it's not a dry road, you can't accelerate like a bat out of hell. Geez, I'd really hate to see some of you in a blizzard. Or a flood. Or a hurricane. Yep; I've driven in all three. Even when NJ was closed for it's "state of emergency blizzard" in 1996, I was on unplowed roads, and didn't wipe out. It was fun to pass by SUV's that slid off the road... and here I was, in my Firebird, passing them by. And I guarantee that I've got the widest rear tires on a V6 in this forum- and wide tires hydroplane (or "ski") easier.

In the rain, you can't accelerate quickly from a stop- don't even think about "making it out in time" to get in front of another car.

In the rain, you can't take turns fast. Slow down.

In the rain, if you're slowing for a stop, you should press on the brakes much earlier than you would on dry pavement.

In the rain, there's no reason to show off.

In the rain, basically, if you drive like a jackass, you'll crash.

I'm not flaming anyone, we've all gotta learn sometime, but I just don't understand...? I know my car isn't special, but why haven't I had any of this happen to me? (Unless, of course, I intended it to! I used to be able to kick the back end of the car out really nicely in the rain with my old P255/70r15 tires; those things were great. My current tires (P275/60r15) are too wide for that...)

 

what size tires you runnin out back? nevermind that i must have missed the bottom of your post

 

Tom, NO FLAME
BUT
Being from back east then/now out here.
California, ESPECIALLY SO CAL ROADS are different.
The VERY FEW times it rains, those first drops make the road like ICE as all the grease oil raises & we are screwed.
Even driving slow, good tires, don't matter, it can really screw ya up.
AFTER SoCAl has it first rains, the roads are just like back east. IT is because of excessive build up of grease oil on roads, that DON't get a"weekly" washing (as many other places do) that really catches us drivers unprepared for the result.
Unless you've raced on a race track often and understand what can happen to a car acting under forces of gravity.
Yeah, slowing down is the key. Driver road condition preparedness is the key to survival. Last line includes good wipers & tires!
But, in all fairness, you're statement of slow down, give more space, etc, is VERY correct.
Unless you own a Corvette. Best cars in the rain(as long as they don't leak!!!)

 

Okay; I do see your point... usually our roads are washed weekly by the rain. Actually, we're in a drought right now. I better stay off the roads when it does rain to avoid everyone!

Corvettes are really good in the rain? Or are you pulling my leg?

 

I lernt my lession about playing in the rain on a litle 2 lane road wnet into a turn doin the speed limit and i wated to get a little fish tale goin to scare my friends lol well there was a patch of water i did a 180 ended up in the other lane still slideing tords the edge of the enbankment longest 10 seconds of my life if it was even that long. Also whats fun you can do 0-80 in no time if you floor it and jsut get the back wheels spinnin thatds awalys fun

 

Yeah.
Really
Aerodynamics.
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
Great steering.
Great heater/defroster
LOUSY OUTWARD VISIBILITY, always stay in front of the cars!!

 

I dono if you have it in your area but i know BMW had a sponsored school it was totaly free it tought you how to get out of hydro and al sorts of possible accdent conditons and they let you use your cars it was all hands on driving it was allot of fun. But you could find a open parking lot and get your self to spin and stuff and try to correct it. Someone said put your car in netural and it will stop your back end from sliding or somethin like that but if you can jsut find a place to practice

 

OMG.. Bitchin RS.,.. that reminds me of xmas 98.. it snowed in fresno the mon or tiesday before xmas day... they had to close the freeways across fresno because the bridges had FROZEN OVER.. that was the first time that i know of in my time (im only 21, so thats not too long of a time).. ppl in cali for the most part just dont know how to control their vehicle in very slick enviorments (their only used to driving in the rain)..

something i used to love todo for fun, drive to the sierras (near sireea summit, shaver lake) and drive in the parking lots for the now parks at night.. they would be iced over.. turn the wheel and just let the rear end spin for days.. (just like driving in vermont..)..

 

Actually, the greases and everything can build up in a week. At least they do around here. But how about this, it rained here last night, only difference is when it hit the ground it froze. Lotsa fun to play in!

 

I LOVE SLEIGH RIDING AND ICE SKATING IN MY CAR!
Especially at 2-3 am and fresh snow.
I used to do that as often as I could when I first started driving. Parkign lots were made for doughnuts in the snow!
AND I'VE DONE THIS!
When a cop stopped into spoil our fun, I told him straight faced I was practing my evasive action manuvers, safely. I was learning what happens and how to control it.
Yes popping shifter into neutral stops car spinning quickly!
Only wish I knew that, Sept 30th, 1975. That's the day I killed my 1966 Corvette spinning into a ditch & a tree on a rain slicked pea soup fogged over 90* unmarked turn. Doing 20-30 mph.
Atleast I had it for 3 1/2 years. And I was 17 when I got the car.

 

Hey Tom, I used to tie you for widest tire. then I got IROC wheels.

man Tom, you really need to upgrade to 16" wheels. Maybe I'll find some 16 inchers for you!

Then maybe, just maybe you'll actually get to reap the benifits of your 3:73 rear.

16" wheels for everyone!

 

Some people over here ask me how I manage to drive anywhere when there was snow on the roads with the firebird.
"Cuz I got mad drivin' skills" I tell them.

In the rain I actually have to try break the back end loose. There is no accidental spinning rear tires for me. Maybe when I get my plans for the car done though...

There is actually a sick, twisted part of me though that enjoys driving on snow, and I know it's wrong, but because the tires spin easier it feels to me like I have lotsa power. I still don't show off though.

 

WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY........


Why couldnt u talk about rain and cars and accidents 3 days ago!

I get my car 1 week ago and get in an accident 3 days ago!

It rained in southern cali fro 1st time in awhile and im driving at 25mph, see a ligt, slow down about 400 feet b4 car infornt of me and just hydroplane into a little acura! Luckily, my car only got a scratch on. I got a scratch and the scokets that hold the headlights have some stress fractures on it. Not good.

 

Go to Pick Your Part and get a new nose. They are all over.
Easy to replace, too!

 

Karl,

Front clips can be verry hard to find in a scrap yard depending on your area. I swear that every one who has had an accident in a third gen with in 150 miles has rear ended some one. I can't find a single front clip that isn't smashed.