Last night I was driving and I didn't even accelerate very much out of the curve. The pavement was dry but my car started fishtailing very violently. It was almost impossible to regain control (at least for me). Do you guys/girls know of any mechanical or structural modifications to reduce fishtailing? I think I've heard of rear-end strut bars or something like that. Maybe a suspension re-tuning? And also where can I get those changes done and for what price ranges? Any tips to correct fishtailing when it happens?
2007-02-07 07:19:39 · 19 answers · asked by Free the monkey in you! 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Ease out on the pedal. Unless you're driving a pickup, and you're fishtailing on DRY asphalt, you're either losing traction (maybe there's gravel on the road), or you're lead-footing it.
Putting more weight in the trunk would help a bit. Also, check the tread on your tires. You might consider getting something a bit grippier, too.
Mainly though, learn to control your right foot.
2007-02-07 07:32:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an old problem for vehicles that have lighter than average rear ends.
The FIX is to increase the weight. A cheap way to do this is to put a bag or two of sand or cement in the trunk. This should reduce or eliminate your fishtailing.
If you do fishtail, layoff the gas and always turn the wheel into the direction of the skid. However, the increase in weight should stop the fishtailing. Fishtailing is more common in pickup trucks without weight in the bed.
2007-02-07 07:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by tom92117 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends on if you want an american car which i wouldnt recommend ESPECIALLY not a mustang. Trust me you don't want the car everyone and theri mom has when their cobra model gets spanked by camaro SS all the time. If you want american def go chevy camaro SS or Z 28 or a pntiac trans am WS6 or firehawk and show all the mustangs what a REAL car looks like. Now if you want a non american rear wheel drive car definently try a mazda Rx-7 years range from 1986 - 1995. the 3rd gen (93-95) are especially sexy but if you need an older one try and the one called the turbo 2. Also try an 89-97 240sx, a drifters best friend but make sure to get the SE version. Also the 300ZX Twin turbo is real nice. Also the 1986- 1995 toyota MR2 are a good choise but they are a 2 seater. Also the older gen supras (below 1993) but make sure its turbo. They also have some nice rwd beamers so if non of these strike your fancy you might watn something like that.
2016-03-15 08:53:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to put weight in the back to stop/reduce the fishtailing. Try putting some sandbags in your trunk. You have to remember with rear wheel drive the back tires move and push the front. So if there isn't enough weight in the back you are going to just spin or fishtail until the tires can catch.
2007-02-07 07:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by meggiek97 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In cold climates tires harden-up unless your using HP. tires that wear out in 24,000 miles. If your car has a rear anti - sway or roll bar unhook one of the end links during the winter. The rear end will roll a bit more but the extreme pressure transferred to the outside radius wheel will be gone! The purpose of the anti roll bar when its attached in the standard position flattens cornering. In doing so it actually reduces traction of the inside radius tire while cornering REDUCING traction of that wheel / tire. A small bar works great but newer aggressive stiff suspensions can over-steer and swat you in the noggin at an unexpected moment while cornering. You may want to drop the air pressure in your rear tires a couple of pounds to see if that helps first.
2007-02-07 07:57:31 · answer #5 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In racing, it's called "Being loose." It happened in your case, when your tires lost traction and were going considerably faster than your car. Generally, in a stock (street legal) car, such as an old camero, we'd load up the rear fender wells with lead or cast iron weights ( old counter weights for an old style house window).
You see it alot in the Northern states when it snows. Driving pick-up trucks can be REALLY interesting -- no wieght in the rear end. We'd load up the bed with kitty liter. Great weight and comes in handy when you need to put something down under the tires for traction.
When you "Fishtale," take your foot off the accelerator and try not to over-steer.
2007-02-07 07:34:36 · answer #6 · answered by Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kicking the *** end of the car out is a blast you just have to learn how to control it. Its all about the throttle and the counter steer. If you can fiqure out the right combination then you will master the drift and have a blast in the winter conditions that to often strand the average motorist. Have fun and dont hit anybody practice in a open parking lot first. Remember to have fun.
2007-02-07 07:29:24 · answer #7 · answered by oldster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are driving a truck, just add a little weight by adding a little bit of wood or anything that has any weight to it. If you are driving a car check for wear on the tires and if you hear a crunching noise as you go around corners you have bad struts.
2007-02-07 07:27:56 · answer #8 · answered by ike 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds mean, but it's not. Learn to drive!
Or get front wheel drive like the rest of them.
If you put weight in the back, don't forget to adjust your headlights.
2007-02-07 17:42:01 · answer #9 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bake a healthy breakfast beforehand to ensure you don't grab a sugary scone on the run.
2017-03-10 23:04:23 · answer #10 · answered by Bonnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋