My M3 slid sideways with traction control on

[PurM3]

So I was on vacation in Vegas, it wasn't raining and I was taking a left turn (tracking on). I gave it some gas while turning and the car slided sideway quite a bit then I managed to have it under control and the car was running fine after that.
This was a pleasant surprise as the car was easy to maneuver , but I wonder what could be the reason because this has never happened before. Btw the rear tire has little tread left. Is this should be a concern?

PS: I never track the car, and dont do anything crazy on street.
thanks in advance

[Mthrice]

[brava09]

Yes, it gives a little room for play even with DSC on, good fun. Replace the tires though if only little thread left.

[PurM3]

Originally Posted by brava09

Yes, it gives a little room for play even with DSC on, good fun. Replace the tires though if only little thread left.

nice to know that

[jamze132]

The best equipment money can buy is not going to keep a 3700+ lbs car from sliding around a corner if you're going too fast.

[Pontrelli]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

+1

[Poppin Fresh]

Originally Posted by PurM3

So I was on vacation in Vegas...Btw the rear tire has little tread left. Is this should be a concern?

PS: I never track the car, and dont do anything crazy on street.
thanks in advance

McFly!

[Z K]

I really wonder how people survived in the days before traction control... it seems like way too many people rely on it now. Learn to control your right foot. It works.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Z K

I really wonder how people survived in the days before traction control... it seems like way too many people rely on it now. Learn to control your right foot. It works.

Cars just weren't this powerful. If you go back a number of years, most Ferraris and Lamborghinis had less power and torque than the current M3. I remember back to 1994 when the Toyota Supra had 320hp and I was thinking "holy shit".

In 1983 when I bought my first car, a Mustang GT, it was the fastest production American car that year. It did 0-60 in 7.1 seconds and made 175hp with its 5 liter V8 and 4 barrel carburator. And we all know how much hp the top end Mustang produces today !!!!

You really have to go back to the muscle car days to see big power and torque, and even then, it was really only a handful of cars that did this. And yes, they were a nightmare to control.

It really is modern traction management systems that allows for the powerful cars of today to be driven by most mortals in relative safety on public roadways.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

Cars just weren't this powerful. If you go back a number of years, most Ferraris and Lamborghinis had less power and torque than the current M3. I remember back to 1994 when the Toyota Supra had 320hp and I was thinking "holy shit".

In 1983 when I bought my first car, a Mustang GT, it was the fastest production American car that year. It did 0-60 in 7.1 seconds and made 175hp with its 5 liter V8 and 4 barrel carburator. And we all know how much hp the top end Mustang produces today !!!!

You really have to go back to the muscle car days to see big power and torque, and even then, it was really only a handful of cars that did this. And yes, they were a nightmare to control.

It really is modern traction management systems that allows for the powerful cars of today to be driven by most mortals in relative safety on public roadways.

Clearly, you've never driven any of the 60's muscle cars. Crazy power, shit handling/traction.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by PurM3

So I was on vacation in Vegas, it wasn't raining and I was taking a left turn (tracking on). I gave it some gas while turning and the car slided sideway quite a bit then I managed to have it under control and the car was running fine after that.
This was a pleasant surprise as the car was easy to maneuver , but I wonder what could be the reason because this has never happened before. Btw the rear tire has little tread left. Is this should be a concern?

PS: I never track the car, and dont do anything crazy on street.
thanks in advance

You need new tires...Michelin Pilot Super Sport !

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by PurM3

So I was on vacation in Vegas, it wasn't raining and I was taking a left turn (tracking on). I gave it some gas while turning and the car slided sideway quite a bit then I managed to have it under control and the car was running fine after that.
This was a pleasant surprise as the car was easy to maneuver , but I wonder what could be the reason because this has never happened before. Btw the rear tire has little tread left. Is this should be a concern?

PS: I never track the car, and dont do anything crazy on street.
thanks in advance

I drive my M3 to Vegas every year, and I have plenty of track experience, so I can say that I know how to control my car. Down near the Vegas strip on the surface streets, I have also found that many of the road surfaces in Vegas have strangely low traction. It's like there's a bizarre coating of tar or something that gives less traction. Many of the road surfaces even look shinier than "regular" black top. I used to think I was crazy for thinking this, but I've felt lower grip on corners in Vegas many times. And no, I wasn't flying around the corners. I save that for the track.

[6spdg37s]

Originally Posted by Z K

I really wonder how people survived in the days before traction control... it seems like way too many people rely on it now. Learn to control your right foot. It works.

+1 my 1st car had no TC / stability control...

then i had a viper with over 500hp and no tc/stability control

[MKE_M3]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

Cars just weren't this powerful. If you go back a number of years, most Ferraris and Lamborghinis had less power and torque than the current M3. I remember back to 1994 when the Toyota Supra had 320hp and I was thinking "holy shit".

In 1983 when I bought my first car, a Mustang GT, it was the fastest production American car that year. It did 0-60 in 7.1 seconds and made 175hp with its 5 liter V8 and 4 barrel carburator. And we all know how much hp the top end Mustang produces today !!!!

You really have to go back to the muscle car days to see big power and torque, and even then, it was really only a handful of cars that did this. And yes, they were a nightmare to control.

It really is modern traction management systems that allows for the powerful cars of today to be driven by most mortals in relative safety on public roadways.

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Clearly, you've never driven any of the 60's muscle cars. Crazy power, shit handling/traction.

Uhhhh... Did you not read LarThal's post, or did he edit his because it looks like you both are saying the exact same thing??!?!

[PurM3]

Originally Posted by dogbone

I drive my M3 to Vegas every year, and I have plenty of track experience, so I can say that I know how to control my car. Down near the Vegas strip on the surface streets, I have also found that many of the road surfaces in Vegas have strangely low traction. It's like there's a bizarre coating of tar or something that gives less traction. Many of the road surfaces even look shinier than "regular" black top. I used to think I was crazy for thinking this, but I've felt lower grip on corners in Vegas many times. And no, I wasn't flying around the corners. I save that for the track.

I felt the same way about street and I rarely go fast on turns.
Thx for replying

[PurM3]

Originally Posted by Z K

I really wonder how people survived in the days before traction control... it seems like way too many people rely on it now. Learn to control your right foot. It works.

Sorry most cars I had have tractions and stability assist I didn't experience anything like it.

[CarForHire]

Originally Posted by jdemetry

Uhhhh... Did you not read LarThal's post, or did he edit his because it looks like you both are saying the exact same thing??!?!

He didn't edit it.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I think he lifted his right cheek to high ... Not a good idea

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Please pass the Thanks

[PhillyNate]

I think the traction control/DSC work brilliantly in our cars IMO. They let you go right up to the brink with some fun without creating a very expensive headache for yourself. I've yet to drive with it totally defeated. I will eventually but I'm ok with it intervening for now.

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by PurM3

So I was on vacation in Vegas, it wasn't raining and I was taking a left turn (tracking on). I gave it some gas while turning and the car slided sideway quite a bit then I managed to have it under control and the car was running fine after that.
This was a pleasant surprise as the car was easy to maneuver , but I wonder what could be the reason because this has never happened before. Btw the rear tire has little tread left. Is this should be a concern?

PS: I never track the car, and dont do anything crazy on street.
thanks in advance

The answer is in your question

giving a V8 powered car some gas, going around a turn, with little tread left on rear tires. Perhaps couple that with road condition.

hmm....

[FogCityM3]

Vegas is in the middle of the desert (lots of sand)...even very fine particles that get kicked in the air by wind can make the roads more slippery. In the inland areas/desert of Southern California, same situation.

Originally Posted by dogbone

I drive my M3 to Vegas every year, and I have plenty of track experience, so I can say that I know how to control my car. Down near the Vegas strip on the surface streets, I have also found that many of the road surfaces in Vegas have strangely low traction. It's like there's a bizarre coating of tar or something that gives less traction. Many of the road surfaces even look shinier than "regular" black top. I used to think I was crazy for thinking this, but I've felt lower grip on corners in Vegas many times. And no, I wasn't flying around the corners. I save that for the track.

[cpdp]

Originally Posted by Z K

I really wonder how people survived in the days before traction control... it seems like way too many people rely on it now. Learn to control your right foot. It works.

wouldn't quite say so