Driving 170 mph?

Question

If you were driving 170 mph down a straight freeway, in a decent sportscar that can handle the speed without shaking or whatever,

a. would two people in the car be able to carry on a conversation? would it be loud or quiet inside the car (assume a new car whose engine would not make more than the minimal amount of noise)?

b. would the people inside the car be able to move, say, their arms around freely? or would it be hard to move? (they're not accelerating, they're just cruising).

c. how would your hands feel on the steering wheel? assuming that you didn't want to turn the car, only keep going straight, would there be any tension on the steering wheel or would it feel the same as if you were going a normal speed (75mph)?

this is for a story i'm writing--thanks!

Answer 1

No joke here but once the car stops accelerating you wouldn't feel much force. Think about being in an airplane. You're going 500 miles per hour but don't feel a thing. Only on takeoff do you feel the g-force pushing you back.

As far as the engine noise, it would probably be loud but not that bad. I would think that the exileration of driving that fast would have the people pretty quiet. Of course, the car maybe hard to handle, cause at that speed every little movement would be amplified.

Answer 2

Inside a new car, you would be able to carry on a conversation but the noise would be a little loud from the engine. This is for today's possibilities. Fact and not fiction from say 100 years from now.

Once you are cruising at 170, you can move around just like in an airplane.

The tension on the steering I think would be shaking a little more than regular. The reason is going that fast, the wheels would have to align perfectly as as not to shake, but then that is not possible. In pictures I have seen the steering wheels is shaking a little.

Answer 3

First of all, I am in no way an expert on this subject. But I have gone 120+ in a car I used to have a while ago. Now, It just so happens that I was watching a program on TV a couple months ago about the BMW M6 which has a top speed of over 200 mph. This car was engineered to drive this fast and during the test drive on the Autobahn that "we" were taken on, the driver of the car was speaking normally telling us how the cars power steering ratio changes as the car goes faster so as to help the driver keep control of the car at high speeds(at over 200mph by the way). So, I would say, If you're driving a car built to drive that fast(BMW M5 or M6, Mercedes SL500) It would be just like going for a Sunday drive. But if you're pushing your v6 Honda accord to 175 you'll probably have to raise your voice a little bit to talk over the road noise. As far as your question about difficulty moving your arms, there would be none because as you said they would be at a cruising speed, you would only feel the the g-forces on acceleration. Good Luck.

Answer 4

A) yes, B) yes, and C) if it were a car designed to do this, such as one that a friend has, I believe it is an Acura, there would be little road sensation. The steering wheel could be held loosely, without any kind of firm grip.
In question B, it is apparent that you have never driven at such speeds, or anything close to it. In an enclosed car, or even a sports car with the top down, the driver and passenger are protected from the direct effects of the wind created. Even in space traveling at 25000 mph, there is no effect of that speed because all craft and occupants, are travel ling at the same speed. If you can talk and move about at 60 mph, then 170 would be no different. Have you studied physics and relative motion?

Answer 5

a) yes, noisy
b) yes, easy
c) It is like flying a plane, not same as 75 MPH

A car traveling at 170 MPH would have a weight of approximately 4 lbs on each wheel. This is because of the aerodynamic effect of air rushing over the car faster than under it. This creates lift. Any movement of the steering wheel is magnified as to the effect it has on the car. At that speed if you think about moving the wheel the car starts to move in that direction. Been there and done it.

Answer 6

a. If you had a car that could go that fast SAFELY it would be expensive, and thus, one would expect it to be a comfortable and quiet ride. So, probably.

b. Yes. Accelerating and turning induce forces on the people inside, not maintaining a constant speed.

c. It depends. You'd better have good tires, wheels, and they'd better be perfectly balanced. The road had better be smooth as well.

If you blew a tire, or lost control of a car at that speed, you wouldn't have to worry about a slow and painful death.

Answer 7

A: They would be able to carry on a conversation, but they will probably need to speak loudly due to the engine and wind noise.

B: As long as you are going a constant speed, you can move around freely. (Ever been in a plane?)

C: Any little movement would make the car move around alot.

Answer 8

I would say - they could carry on a conversation, but not making eye contact. There would be little or no noise to speak of. They probably would be able to move freely. The driver would probably have the same tension in his hands as if he were driving at a mere 75 mph.

Answer 9

I've been to 160, and it scares the crap out of you. There is no conversation, only an impending sense of doom and an adrenalin rush. It's loud, unstable and dangerous. Any car licsensed for the public road drifts and lifts. The amount of energy the car has increases with the SQUARE OF THE VELOCITY. That means it's really hard to stop. And if you come onto a large dip in the road, you can kiss your anatomy goodbye. Not to mention tires that aren't rated for that speed. 'Nuf said?

Answer 10

A. yes. Depending on the car it would be as quiet as you were driving normally.
B. yes. g forces only apply during acceleration. One could move freely.
C. Ive driven at 165 regularly in an older datsun Z car and it was no different than doing 65. Everything just went by faster.