[graff48]

I was running an errand earlier today and I came up on an intersection (with a street light) that had right turn "by-pass the light" lane. The lane gradually curves to face the cross street with a concrete island seperating the turn lane from the corner. It was dry today and cross traffic was stopped at the light so I took it a little fast (25-30 mph?). Just as I'm entering the turn, I notice there are little pieces of glass (from a previous accident?) spread across the turn lane that I'm about to enter. "Uh-oh".... a half a second later my back end slides out from under me (50+ degrees). I stay off the brakes and counter streer for a second then straighten the wheel. The slide stops, then I starts rolling towards the inside curb that the car is now facing. I again steer the car left, away from the inside curb towards the direction I wanted to go. My inside front tire (maybe the rear too) hit the inside curb pointing the car the other direction, diagonally across the cross street I was trying to turn on to. I steer right, towards the direction of the street I'm now on, back end kicks out again (but not as much), steer left, then the car settles back in line with the street. Luckily, there was no on-coming traffic and my car was undamaged with exception of a scuffed sidewall. Scared the bejezus out of me!

Needless to say, I think I'm going to drive a little slower from now on.
My question is, could I have done something different to correct the oversteer?

 

[gtivr4]

Re: What to do when a FWD car oversteers? (graff48)

Mash the gas! Pull the car back into position basically

 

[gsrroger]

Re: What to do when a FWD car oversteers? (graff48)

Don't feel too bad. I mean, I've seen a (televised - I've never been in person) rally where Tommi Makinen spun because of an oil spill on the road that he wasn't warned of.
Basically, the problem with driving too fast on a public road is exactly what happened to you! Sure you can be a great driver, but if you suddenly find yourself without as much traction as you were expecting, there isn't much you can do.
gtivr4 is correct in that hitting the gas should reduce the oversteer, but you were probably too far gone for it to have helped anyhow.
Chalk this one up to luck!

 

[Brad Jar]

Re: What to do when a FWD car oversteers? (gtivr4)

Pat yourself on the back, yeehaw FWD oversteer!!! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

A rare phenomenon, usually the back end gets light from a trailing throttle or braking input. A mash of the go pedal will get some weight back on the rear tires and lessen the slip angle.
Use the force wisely

 

[graff48]

Re: What to do when a FWD car oversteers? (gsrroger)

Thanks for the tip guys. I did not know that. I'm amazed how quickly the back-end came out. The whole ordeal lasted no more than 5 seconds. I've taken that corner many times at that speed with barely a squeal from the tires. Just goes to show that a little un-expected road debris can really f*ck you if you're driving too fast!

 

[Volkscience]

Re: What to do when a FWD car oversteers? (graff48)

I was having an off day a while ago. I ended up leaving work and running over a curb (I was going really slow) that I just didn't see... really stupid, luckily not too many people saw me but I felt like a ass. Then again the road wasn't well lit and I had never been on it before. No Damage to my car but my pride and self confidence suffered. So after a while I was back in a familiar, low populated area, on a 50mph limit road, I decided to go hard onto a street off this road very fast to prove to myself I'm not a crappy driver

I braked hard until I induced understeer. Then I quickly let off the brakes and the rear end came loose a little. I turned the wheel at the same time and hit the gas in second. Resulted in a somewhat 4 wheel drift for a split second. Got me around the corner perfect, I didn't even leave my lane or line. I didn't even dogleg (I drive a Mk3 GTI) I continued at the speed limit smiling, content in my control. So that's what I do...