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Old 08-08-2003, 03:18 PM   #1
dorongo
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Default Scary experience

On my way home from work last night (actually this morning) at 2am, I had a frightening experience. It was dark and raining heavily, I couldn’t see anything but I87 is a three-lane highway, so I was probably doing about 75. As I was approaching a BMW on the middle land (I was on the left) he suddenly swerved to the right lane. A car was sitting there, blocking the left and half of middle lanes (I assume the driver lost control and bounced off the separating fence), it was black and its lights were off. I didn’t even have a second to react, it was pure instinct; I slammed the breaks and turned the wheel towards the right. I must have missed it by a few inches, and I hope nobody else behind me hit it.
That was very scary. Drive safely (especially in the rain with these tires)
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Old 08-08-2003, 03:45 PM   #2
Ken
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What's your opinion on the handling of your STi? Was it sketchier or better compared to???
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Old 08-08-2003, 03:46 PM   #3
Janq
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Man, you have big cojones.
It scares me to drive on the stock tires at 55 in rain muchless 75.

I'm glad you weren't hurt though.
Another example of how having a healthy following distance can make all the difference.

In my own case yesterday while travelling to Tysons Corner, VA (Vienna) along the Dulles Toll Road I was cruise controlling in the right most lane at 65 in sixth gear about three car lengths behind the car in front of me when that car suddenly swerves right for no apparent reason. As I approach I then note a dump truck pulled over on the side of the road. Its then that I notice lying in the middle of the road a 15 foot long complete drive shaft lying in the middle of my lane!
I didn't brake but just steered around it to my right (left lanes are full of speeders) and kept on rolling.

One has to be constantly aware of the road & surroundings when on the streets. Deer, dogs, children (!) and all maner of stuff are 'road hazzards'.

Drive safely...

- Janq
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Old 08-08-2003, 03:55 PM   #4
robmarch
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I havent noticed any problems in the rain on these tires
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:21 PM   #5
spool1536
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Quote:
Originally posted by robmarch
I havent noticed any problems in the rain on these tires
Ditto.
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:27 PM   #6
Janq
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Quote:
Originally posted by robmarch
I havent noticed any problems in the rain on these tires
I've driven on purpose five times in recent rainy episodes at night (Midnight or later) when there is little traffic on the roads and pt on about 300 miles under such conditions inlcuding in the middle of a torrential downpour (wipers set to max speed).

My car hydroplanes and plows in rain. And with the DCCD set to AUTO the handling in turns (off-ramps) is downright scary. In straights the front seems to hydroplane and the diff constantly locks & unlocks making for very odd steering feel (heavy to light and back).
When set to MANUAL and bias apportioned to the front (second manual setting) things smoothe out somewhat. The tires though do not seem to evacuate water too well.

Maybe its just me, but thats how my STi feels.
As such I decided to not drive it in rain on the stock tires and just use my truck or Legacy AWD.

- Janq
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:39 PM   #7
dsmperformance
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I never had any problems in the rain either.
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:50 PM   #8
dorongo
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My old WRX had better traction in wet conditions. The STI is much faster in cornering - on a dry road. It may also be a matter of confidence but I don't feel as safe as I did with the WRX when it rains. I will probably get a new set of tires before winter (I hate to see how it handles on snow with these tires)
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Old 08-08-2003, 04:53 PM   #9
Qbushido
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sold and MBP, SQC# 33

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Quote:
Originally posted by dorongo
My old WRX had better traction in wet conditions. The STI is much faster in cornering - on a dry road. It may also be a matter of confidence but I don't feel as safe as I did with the WRX when it rains. I will probably get a new set of tires before winter (I hate to see how it handles on snow with these tires)
for sure, these tires wont see anythign between halloween and easter.
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Old 08-08-2003, 05:28 PM   #10
Zoso
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I haven't had any problems in the rain with the stock tires, however I always drive slow when it's wet out. Except, with the STi I do like to accelerate hard from a stop on wet roads, it rules! but I always slow it down in the corners.
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Old 08-08-2003, 06:19 PM   #11
ToddStratton
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Just ast weekend I drove for two hours straight through constant and sometimes very heavy rains where the road was covered in runoff and cars were creating huge plumes of water. The stock tires were fine. This was through a twisty mountain pass...twice. I've experienced much worse in my WRX when the tires were getting worn (RE730s, Kuhmos, etc.)

TRS
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Old 08-08-2003, 06:51 PM   #12
peczenij
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4000 miles if 4 weeks. Many hours in the rain including severe thunderstorms at highway speeds. The stock tires were no problem for me in the rain.
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Old 08-08-2003, 08:36 PM   #13
spool1536
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Quote:
Originally posted by dorongo
I will probably get a new set of tires before winter (I hate to see how it handles on snow with these tires)
These tires will not throw snow at all. An all-season performance tire will work.
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Old 08-08-2003, 09:35 PM   #14
Janq
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Quote:
Originally posted by Qbushido


for sure, these tires wont see anythign between halloween and easter.
It basically says the same thing about these tires in the owners manual.

These tires are optimal for dry weather summer use.

- Janq
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Old 08-08-2003, 09:50 PM   #15
Tripper
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I've had my STI now for 2 months & 4100 miles. I have had no problems in the rain. I do use caution, however, just as I have done with every other car I have driven over the years. Guess that comes from spinning my Opel Kadet off an interstate many years ago when a teenager.
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Old 08-08-2003, 11:52 PM   #16
essogas
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I've been blasting through heavy rainfall with these tires and have had zero problems. BUT>> I put the DCCD in manual, centre position and it seems to give me the best "wet performance"
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Old 08-09-2003, 12:17 AM   #17
Janq
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Quote:
Originally posted by essogas
I've been blasting through heavy rainfall with these tires and have had zero problems. BUT>> I put the DCCD in manual, centre position and it seems to give me the best "wet performance"
Esso,

I'm just this week beginning to experiment with the DCCD at various maunal settings. I too have found the car to be more settled in rain in manual mode with bias set just ahead of the mid level.

I just got back 10min. ago from a quick 50 mile ride following a light rain and again I find that in AUTO mode the cars drivetrain in combination with the tires makes me feel less comfortable. But when set to manual my level of comfort hops up a notch or two.

- Janq
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Old 08-09-2003, 10:55 AM   #18
ChrisW
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It's Blue, ok?

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Quote:
Originally posted by Janq

in rain in manual mode with bias set just ahead of the mid level.

I just got back 10min. ago from a quick 50 mile ride following a light rain and again I find that in AUTO mode the cars drivetrain in combination with the tires makes me feel less comfortable. But when set to manual my level of comfort hops up a notch or two.

- Janq
Just a thought, maybe you should leave it in auto mode and slow down...

just my $0.02
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Old 08-09-2003, 01:10 PM   #19
jtibbitt
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What does "slow" mean?
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Old 08-09-2003, 01:45 PM   #20
WRXPRESS
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I regularly drive on tight twisty roads as well as expressway trips. The stock tires are absolutely fantastic. Not a single hint of hydroplaning. On the twisty roads the grip on a wet road at the limit is very predictable. Very impressive dry and wet grip from these stock tires.
-Dan
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Old 08-09-2003, 07:34 PM   #21
renichms
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Quote:
Originally posted by peczenij
4000 miles if 4 weeks. Many hours in the rain including severe thunderstorms at highway speeds. The stock tires were no problem for me in the rain.
Same deal for me.

RN
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Old 08-09-2003, 09:54 PM   #22
amdmaxx
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Rule #1) first 1000 miles the tires are still "breaking in", gonna let them rub off some oil or wehatever they come with from manufacturer...
Rule #2) they stock tires r almost slicks - be CAREFUL in the rain/snow,etc...
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Old 08-09-2003, 09:55 PM   #23
Janq
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Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW


Just a thought, maybe you should leave it in auto mode and slow down...

just my $0.02
Just a thought, maybe you should read back to my original post and you'll see I've been talking about driving at 55 MPH, Mr. Smartypants. Oh, and I also mentioned about how it acts in AUTO mode, thank you very much...

- Janq
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Old 08-09-2003, 10:00 PM   #24
Janq
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Quote:
Originally posted by amdmaxx
Rule #1) first 1000 miles the tires are still "breaking in", gonna let them rub off some oil or wehatever they come with from manufacturer...
Rule #2) they stock tires r almost slicks - be CAREFUL in the rain/snow,etc...
Agreed and that why its only been recently that I've tried testing playing withthe tires in the wet. I'm just below 1600 miles as of last nights ride.

In the dry, these tries are awesome!

I'm not complaining in the least as all marketing material for the tires indicates summer dry use. If I want to drive in the rain I've got two other cars for that. As for using these in the snow, that would not be wise.

- Janq
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Old 08-09-2003, 10:01 PM   #25
Valvetrain Engineer
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Been raining absolutely non-stop in CT for the past two weeks, and I've had zero UNEXPECTED problems with the stock tires. I say unexpected because I did get it sideways by jumping on the gas in a turn - woohoo!! I'm sure they aren't great at clearing huge volumes of water in a downpour (or large puddle), so just avoid (or drive slow) in those conditions.
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