Lost control of my SS at 10mph

[jcouves]

First, let me explain: in Brazil, where I live, RWD cars are very rare, and I only drove AWD and FWD cars all of my life (roughly 20 years driving). It's my first muscle car.

So, I am driving my brand new Camaro SS (automatic) and stop at a traffic light.

It's 2 AM, the rain had just stopped, and literally no one is on the street. It's a very large, straight avenue, and I can see clearly almost a couple of miles ahead with no one there.

That little devil start saying to me "ok, let's se what this baby can do". I didn't turn off any of the stability helpers. When the light goes green, I step on the floor as fast as I can. Oh, that beautiful V8 sound!

And then the trouble starts: when the car reaches something like 10 mph, the rear end starts to dance like a fish tail swimming. Scared, I release the gas pedal smoothly, and regain control of the vehicle after turning almost 90 degrees. I stop the car, shaking, only my pride was hurt. Geez, what has happened? I go home slowly like an old lady, trying to understand what has happened.

Ok, the ground was wet, and I know that RWD cars are more unstable on those conditions, but spinning at 10mph? And the stability control? Shouldn't it stop the rear end from losing control? In 20 years driving, I did a lot of stupid things, but never lost control of the rear end of my car.

Should I check if my car has a problem or am I the problem?

[PoorMansCamaro]

Should have got a v6..















































oh yeah, i went there! lol

[bob vogel]

it's you. take you'r time. pay the money for a class. it's cheaper than wrecking your car or getting hurt.

[zslewis]

for 1. never slam on the gas after it has rained... you found out why last night... 2. wouldnt recommend doing that again, wait till its dry

[Sterling]

Before you know it, you will be a drifting champ...

[SSE 4 2SS]

Bom dia,

I work in Brazil, not that it has anything to do with what happened...

The roads down there are going to be a huge limiting factor... Please remember that your Camaro has way more power than probably any car you have ever driven... Wet roads are not the time to see what it will do...you can probably be going 60 or more mph and break the rear tires loose... On a wet road, the traction control will help but not prevent all occurrences of getting loose...

I've seen a few Camaros when I was down there and it thrills me to no end to see them..

drive safely and maybe I'll see you car some day... I've seen them in Vittoria, Navagantez, Macae, and a few other places...

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

It was wet, your car has 400hp. You'll be fine. Enjoy your car.

[Steve Dallas]

Actually, wet roads and a large parking lot are the BEST way to learn about breaking traction.

It's normal for the rear tires to break loose, even with traction control. T/C will limit it somewhat after a few seconds, but you can still go sideways during that time.

Remember...you have 400+ horsepower, and that is a LOT. Unless you're trying to get loose, always be delicate with the throttle. Smoothness is important ANY time you drive, but more important with a car like this.

If you have a large parking lot, use it sometime...and test the limits of the car (both when wet and when dry).

[billyp93]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Should have got a v6..












































oh yeah, i went there! lol

+10000000 But yea id get that checked out if i were you

[JohnInSoCal]

you have to turn the wheel to compensate but don't over correct which is where most get into trouble. The rear end seems to always kick to the right for me a bit and then after gaining some speed it tracks pretty well up to 50 or so MPH which is where I let off the gas. Only try this on a closed course with a professional driver Seriously if this is not something you have experience with then don't do it, or take some advanced driving lessons at a school.

[SleepWarz]

automatics do not help the regain of control after letting off the throttle. Another aspect where having a clutch petal really helps.

[Lunatic]

Lol!

[Jason7]

Yeah take it In and explain exactly what happened so it can be diagnosed.......

Jason

[Allan Hernandez]

Originally Posted by Jason7

Yeah take it In and explain exactly what happened so it can be diagnosed.......

Jason

IM 100% sure there is nothing wrong with your Camaro.A week after I got mine I was going 60 on a 4 lane highway here in texas on a stormy afternoon and did a complete 360 turn from the right lane all the way to the fourth lane ending up on the side of the highway about 5 feet from slamming into the guard rails luckily were I landed there was all grass and mud and it was just enough to stop my car before i slammed into the guard rail and wrecked no harm was done but it gave me quite a scare! Basicly you just have to be careful and aware of the conditions around you at all times