Is this car traction limited for some reason?

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

Well, with winter here and the first few miles of winter driving, I have to declare this car to have less traction in the rear than what makes sense. Is there anything about the design of the rear suspension that would cause this condition? It is certainly worse than the Miata or a Pick-up truck.

As background, my 37 years of driving experience has been almost entirely with RWD platforms and the FRS has a set of Blizzack snow/ice tires.

So far, the traction control seems to keep things under control, but I have to wonder how it will feel going down the highway during blizzard conditions? Anyone further into winter conditions than me and have some real world experience to report?

On the plus side, since I can get away with it, it looks like the FRS is going to spend some serious (deliberate) sideways time while commuting during snowfalls!

yeah! the car's too f**kin' light! lack of "ballast" compromises traction in spite of having narrow snow tires on it!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

Well, with winter here and the first few miles of winter driving, I have to declare this car to have less traction in the rear than what makes sense. Is there anything about the design of the rear suspension that would cause this condition? It is certainly worse than the Miata or a Pick-up truck.

As background, my 37 years of driving experience has been almost entirely with RWD platforms and the FRS has a set of Blizzack snow/ice tires.

So far, the traction control seems to keep things under control, but I have to wonder how it will feel going down the highway during blizzard conditions? Anyone further into winter conditions than me and have some real world experience to report?

On the plus side, since I can get away with it, it looks like the FRS is going to spend some serious (deliberate) sideways time while commuting during snowfalls!

Originally Posted by microbionic

"Driving with snow tires"
"Do not drive in excess of 30 mph (50 km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used."

Strait from the BRZ manual

wow! there ya go!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

I lol'd.

ehe! he! he! you wouldn't be laughin' if ya lived here!
for sure ain't no snowmobile!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

I lol'd.

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

It's the factory tune in the suspension, the stiffer rear spring induces "lift off" oversteer which means the car will oversteer even when off the power. It can be exacerbated with less available friction.

The traction control should be able to correct this easily on the highway, surface streets with tighter turns might give you some fits.

thank "christ" for the nannies in "'THIS" car

[jesperswe]

Aren't you obligated by law to use winter tires during winter weather?
Here in Sweden there is a law that states, winter tires must be used between 1 december -> 31 March IF the weather conditions are snow/ice/snowmud and cold weather (around zero degres celsius).

[bestwheelbase]

Someone needs to get a GoPro and make snow driving tutorials - FT86 style.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by ottopilot

Don't fret. I have yet to see evidence that winter tires wears faster on dry pavement / summer. Some people use them all years long here, including me...

But I don't know how you drive

they DO wear at a faster rate,because of the softer compound rubber.

[whitejdm]

After 2 weeks of snow and ice conditions I can say that despite having EXCELLENT winter tires the car is very sketchy. Doing about 60km/h and the back in constantly stepping out with any throttle at all, the TC system is amazing though and always catches it. I would not want to be doing 100km/h+ for any length of time.

[rapidcars]

Originally Posted by jesperswe

Aren't you obligated by law to use winter tires during winter weather?
Here in Sweden there is a law that states, winter tires must be used between 1 december -> 31 March IF the weather conditions are snow/ice/snowmud and cold weather (around zero degres celsius).

That would make sense but there are no such laws here unfortunately. Most people have no idea what kind of tires are on their car. It's scary to think about

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

they DO wear at a faster rate,because of the softer compound rubber.

Open to discussion. Summer/performance tires are pretty soft and wear out faster than winter tires would. My winter tires last way longer than all the summer/sports tire I ever had. I had summer tires last 1 summer and a pair of winter tires last 2 summers and 3 winters.

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by whitejdm

After 2 weeks of snow and ice conditions I can say that despite having EXCELLENT winter tires the car is very sketchy. Doing about 60km/h and the back in constantly stepping out with any throttle at all, the TC system is amazing though and always catches it. I would not want to be doing 100km/h+ for any length of time.

Not what I wanted to hear. I assume winter tires?

There has to be something about the rear suspension to this car because in the wet with the traction control off I ca steer it with the throttle all day long. I actually worry that I might get an exhibition/dangerous driving ticket just coming off a ramp on a surface street.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by jesperswe

With everything turned off, my god i've never driven a more tail happy car in snow!
I can't turn in a intersection without going sideways even at 5mph But i like it, it's fun, hehe.

But if i keep traction control on and just go easy around it feels like any other car except ther slip light is constantly blinking, hehe.

im glad the auto has a "snow" mode, have you tried starting off in second to limit the tq?

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

There has to be something about the rear suspension to this car because in the wet with the traction control off I ca steer it with the throttle all day long.

It is specially infused with the soul of those who came before it.

[Rayme]

Maybe using a lower tire pressure could circumvent some of the harsh suspension problem?

Not very practical though.