Top Gear - Oversteer and Understeer

Comments

11 Comments so far

1. Shaan on February 10, 2007 4:46 pm

   This brings back some bad memories. The first time I under-steered, I did crash my dad’s car. It was on the first curve when you reach Pointe-aux-Sables, where there is a grass field with some sort of tower on it. Of course I was going too fast and when the car under-steered, I pushed on the throttle and the next thing I know I was looking at a big rock in front of me. I had no license then. The rock has been removed from there since.
   But 2 months later, after reading about why I under-steered, I learnt about over-steer, which seemed quite fun. I did not want to try it on my dad’s car again, so I used the home car. As it was a FWD, it was very hard to over-steer. It would do it a bit and then under-steer the rest of the curve. So I learnt to use the hand brake. I broke hand brake cables 2 times before I learnt to use it properly. But once I could do it properly, it was serious fun. Miss driving now.

2. LaSh on February 10, 2007 5:17 pm

   It feels good to know that I wasn’t the only one who’s crashed their dad’s car before having the driving license! I know which spot you’re talking about.

   You managed to oversteer in a Front-WD car? :O I don’t know how to use the hand brake yet, well, it’s more that I haven’t got the guts to try it on my cars… so… anyone…? Want to lend me ur car..? (A)

3. Shaan on February 10, 2007 7:18 pm

   Actually, it is not too hard to over-steer in a FWD and it can be easier than doing it in a RWD. When your rear wheels spin, you have to play with both the clutch and throttle in relation to how long you want to keep the car drifting & avoid spinning out. But in FWD cars, you can brake hard before entering a corner to shift the weight to the front of the car, give a quick sharp steer to the wheel and the back goes out, then you just need to play with the throttle in relation to how long you want to drift. Also, put more air pressure in the rear tires, it will make it easier to slide them out. You do not necessarily need to use the handbrake to make the rear slide unless you do not have enough speed. Also, during the drift you can use the handbrake with quick pulls to keep the rear sliding.

   Do all of this with moderation and I suggest trying it out on a wet tarmac, grass field or sand to understand how the balance works. Else you risk damaging your tires. Drifting in rain is the best

4. LaSh on February 10, 2007 7:37 pm

   You’re actually telling me the complete opposite of what I’ve been reading so far o.O it is mostly accepted that RWD cars are better for oversteering and drifting, but I guess that the way you’ve explained it, it seems logically possible to do the same in a FWD.
   I won’t be trying any of these soon, not in my baby Clio anyway! And the Megane is far too heavy for the 1.4L engine on it, it’s slow as hell!
   Thanks for the tips (y) I’ll be sure to go through this again when the time comes ;).

5. Angele on February 10, 2007 9:55 pm

   Aiyooooooooooo!

   Tsk tsk
   CARS AGAIN!!!

6. Angele on February 10, 2007 10:01 pm

   OHHHHHHH!
   Now I see the dogs :p Bad lil dogs!!

7. LaSh on February 10, 2007 10:14 pm

   don’t you AYOOO!!

   If it wasn’t for me and cars, you wouldn’t be going anywhere! I mean.. with me :P.

   n SHHH, dogs can have fun too

8. James on February 12, 2007 9:21 am

   lol bann lichien la malice
   mo ti kontan kan hamster ti compar rear wheel drive ek enn lichien.

9. LaSh on February 12, 2007 7:45 pm

   james un peu de tenue!!

   1 lisien simplement p diboute lor 1 lot!!

   lol, wei mo rapel sa mo koir dan last series ki li ti dir sa!

10. Cuppy on February 20, 2007 9:16 pm

    cars.. umpf

11. LaSh on February 20, 2007 9:21 pm

    yea yea shazam!