New to RWD

[tdoggy57]

Ok guys so Ive been drooling ober this car for a while now to replace my 01 Prelude and i just went to the dealership today. Leased my Asphalt AT that I should be able to pick up tomorrow .

My two previous cars being a Civic hatch and a Prelude, Ive never driven a RWD car before. My step dad really made me think a lot when talking about RWD cars and how dangerous they can be in the rain and snow.

Essentially my question is, are they really hard to contain in bad weather? How extra cautious should I be? Any tips?

Thanks guys Im stoked to make this car my baby.

[Mazdaspeed]

Autocross the car and learn how it behaves, that's the best thing you can do for your own safety (and amusement). Otherwise, just don't stand on the throttle through corners in inclement weather - modern RWD cars aren't the tank-slapping beasts they once were thanks to traction and stability control.

[moniz]

This car responds so well to input that you should be able to figure what you can and can't do real quickly. Just like Mazdaspeed said above, just don't go crazy on the throttle when turning and you won't be any worse off than FWD.

[Lonewolf]

Don't mash or suddenly lift the throttle midturn, and if you have plenty of snow where you live, get some dedicated snow tires.

[sdiver68]

The electronic nannies will take care of you, something your step dad did not have in his RWD cars. Winter tires are a must in the winter if you get snow.

[TuxedoCartman]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

The electronic nannies will take care of you, something your step dad did not have in his RWD cars. Winter tires are a must in the winter if you get snow.

The electronic nannies will NOT take care of you! They will take some of the edge off bad driving decisions, but they won't keep you from going too fast into turns, or braking too late in slippery stuff. It's better driving with them than in the days without (such as a '96 Cobra, or 93 RX-7... not that I'm speaking from experience, or anything); but don't start driving like you're depending on them. That's when you'll get in trouble.

Basic physics apply here, and nothing about this car can change those; if you must be concerned about driving a lot in snow, then a FWD or AWD will handle it better. If it's just the occasional bit, then put on winter or all-season tires, go slow, and just be careful.

[Razz]

You can take it to an empty parking lot in the rain to learn how handle it.

Make sure it is empty from cement parking block and poles.

You turn the wheel opposite of what you do in front wheel drive, so practice.

[GenkiElite]

It's an auto with TC and SC, you'll be fine.

[rice_classic]

DON'T LIFT!

:P

[tdoggy57]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

So pretty much, if I don't drive reckless I should be fine. I'll get some good experience when I drive it home tonight since they're calling for rain all day.

I'm in Delaware, so it doesn't know a ton like New England or somewhere like that, and I only live about 5 minutes from my current job. I will probably just get some snow tires.

[bakerr6]

it's really not as difficult as people are making it out to be. I've driven rwd vehicles for the past 9 years, and have only had issues maybe once or twice (driving my fbody in about 14 inches of snow on summer tires). Just be careful, give yourself plenty of room, and remember, you can control a slide with the rear

[MVJ1975]

I'm new to RWD as well, and I've driven my FR-S in the rain a couple of times already. It's fine, no worries at all.

Snow tires will go on for the winter.

[R8]

Originally Posted by tdoggy57

My two previous cars being a Civic hatch and a Prelude, Ive never driven a RWD car before. My step dad really made me think a lot when talking about RWD cars and how dangerous they can be in the rain and snow.

Sure, I worried too when I bought my first RWD eight years ago, having driven only FWD for the prior decade or two. But i got used to it quickly, and now wonder how I ever did without it.

Lower-torque RWD cars like the RX-8 and FR-S aren't as "touchy" to throttle input as muscle cars or older RWD cars (which likely had big engines too). Keep the revs low in snow especially, and it isn't as likely to slip out on you.

As others said, just don't do anything abrupt when in rain or snow. Easy on and off the throttle, never floor it suddenly or lift off suddenly.

I do wonder a little about the FR-S a little though, as from what I read it's set up to please the drifting crowd and is intentionally easy to get sideways.

[cgrey]

Originally Posted by tdoggy57

Thanks for all the tips guys.

So pretty much, if I don't drive reckless I should be fine. I'll get some good experience when I drive it home tonight since they're calling for rain all day.

I'm in Delaware, so it doesn't know a ton like New England or somewhere like that, and I only live about 5 minutes from my current job. I will probably just get some snow tires.

Regarding the management software in snow. It will stop you from initiating a slide going straight or in a turn by applying too much gas because it will cut power as it happens. It will not stop a slide caused by carrying too much speed into a corner. Too much speed is a relative thing. You could be driving too fast through a snowy right hand turn or your cautious 5mph speed might become too fast if your tires find a patch of ice beneath the snow. You could also turn in too hard. Sometimes it can help correct such a slide, sometimes not. ABS will lengthen your stopping distance in snow, but you probably already know that. Keep it in mind.

Snow tires vs all seasons are a night and day difference. All season vs performance are also a night and day difference. Do not ever attempt to drive any vehicle with summer performance tires in snow.

In my experience the majority of your problems in snow with a rwd car will be stopped before they begin by the traction and stability control system. All inputs should be smooth on low traction surfaces: rain, snow, ice, gravel, so on. The downside is sometimes that means you won't be able to move the car at all with the system engaged. Especially if you have performance or shitty all season tires.

You'll feel just as confident in this car as you have in your previous cars.