[jvman]

I don't really know if this should be in the tech section or here but anyway.

I commute with my mustang everyday and have had 2 close calls in the rain. Both times I was cut off on a curve and had to hit the brakes, this resulted in a loss of control(well sort of, if my front was not blocked it would not really be a problem as I could recover but then why would I be braking? but I digress) and ending up off the road. I was very lucky both times, I also have a knack for driving(and staying calm) and this saved me.

My car is not too fast, as it can consistently beat(not by too much) my friends car which runs mid 13s.

I was wondering what you guys think. Am I stupid for using the car for commuting? I mean it is really not good in the rain due to the weight distribution, low ground pressure, tire type and such. And is there something I can do about this?

[Cobrajet67]

I have a problem in inclement weather as well in my fox bodies 5.0 or 2.3-the front ends have a tendency to slide under hard turns. Just drive reasonable in the rain, snow, or gravel and get good tires-I run Goodyear RS-A on my 5.0's and I have very few problems like that at least with those tires it seems.

[Young_Buck]

The problem could lie in traction, which could either be under-inflated tires or not enough tread. But, it could also lie in Operator Failure (Sorry.)

Just be slow and cautious. If you're calm, as you claim, then you shouldn't have that big of an issue. These cars simply have a nasty habit of sliding out from behind you.

-YB

[EagleAutosports]

I would look into better tires, some that give better wet traction.
And then what's the condition of the brakes? If they're not up to snuff, that would cause them to lock up at any hint of water and cause it.

[jvman]

Originally Posted by EagleAutosports

I would look into better tires, some that give better wet traction.
And then what's the condition of the brakes? If they're not up to snuff, that would cause them to lock up at any hint of water and cause it.

Brakes are really good and really the tires are pretty good in the rain too (I tested this when i did my brakes last).

I guess I am asking too much, it is a rear wheel drive sports car. And is simply not designed for rain really.

I guess I should also add that both of the incidents were on the highway at about 60mph so avoiding the vehicle that had just cut me off(and I do mean cut off), other traffic, guard rails, light posts and in the last one the edge of a forest in the ditch (at about 40mph) was achieved. The car performed well, but is a bear to recover and does tend to let go in the rain.

I also drove the car through the Canadian winter, including all the storms this year.

Just gotta be careful I guess.

[8fo5ohgeetee]

Originally Posted by jvman

I don't really know if this should be in the tech section or here but anyway.

I commute with my mustang everyday and have had 2 close calls in the rain. Both times I was cut off on a curve and had to hit the brakes, this resulted in a loss of control(well sort of, if my front was not blocked it would not really be a problem as I could recover but then why would I be braking? but I digress) and ending up off the road. I was very lucky both times, I also have a knack for driving(and staying calm) and this saved me.

My car is not too fast, as it can consistently beat(not by too much) my friends car which runs mid 13s.

I was wondering what you guys think. Am I stupid for using the car for commuting? I mean it is really not good in the rain due to the weight distribution, low ground pressure, tire type and such. And is there something I can do about this?

Usually the rear end steps out and it'll do a 360 in my experience. I've looped a 5.0 before, they're bad cars on wet pavement. It wasn't even rain, it was just a thin layer of moring dew on the road and I was going the speed limit when I braked normally in a corner and whoosh. I had a 5.0 spin out in the lane beside me turing left once and I was in a huge ass '67 Oldsmobile Delta 88. Apparently she thought since I was in a huge boat of a car she could pace me through the corner but she spun out. The road was wet and she used just a hair too much throttle. I never drive my 5.0 in the wet unless I have too.