What causes a car to go into a spin?

AdrianC

Working now.

That was definitely somebody's right foot writing cheques his talent couldn't cash.

He's clearly intending to get the back end out - just look at the speed and the line. But when it did come out, he just didn't know what to do with it.

And STILL he only got it about 90deg round...

Belenus

Perhaps the nut behind the steering wheel needs replacing.

Davy_Jones_II

You can only really do a 360 degree spin by keeping your foot down and keeping steering lock on in the conditions that you describe.

prowla

Doing a 360 at a mini roundabout is quite impressive!

Possibilities (many already mentioned):

• Diesel spill or similar on the road.
• Bad tyres (or wrong tyres).
• Wet/greasy road.
• Something wrong with the car suspension - have it checked.
• It snowed and you didn't notice!
• A bump, pothole, and/or slippery finish on roundabout.
• Going faster than the laws of physics dictate when doing a 90 degree turn.
• Tyre pressure too low.
• Putting your foot down too early in a rear-wheel drive (Beemer).
• Weight in the back of the car which shifted suddenly.
• An issue with the breaks.

There's probably a few more to make the list complete...


One thing to do is check the tyre pressure and whether they are worn evenly and are legal - that can tell you a lot.

Jackmydad

AdrianC wrote: »

Working now.

That was definitely somebody's right foot writing cheques his talent couldn't cash.

He's clearly intending to get the back end out - just look at the speed and the line. But when it did come out, he just didn't know what to do with it.

And STILL he only got it about 90deg round...

You have to wonder whether it was intentional or just unaware. . .
Brings me back to wondering about people having to pass a more advanced assessment before driving powerful cars.

AdrianC

Jackmydad wrote: »

You have to wonder whether it was intentional or just unaware. . .

Young lad in a blingy older 3-series coupe...?

I really don't wonder at all.

mollycat

What did Captain Dobie say when you got back to the precinct Starsky?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQLzfvc_IvU

EdGasketTheSecond

I had that on my Mercedes; it was down to old tyres where the rubber had become hard. New tyres sorted it.

hareng

rbulph wrote: »

A BMW, rear wheel drive. I was turning to the left to leave the roundabout, and the car span to the right.

First check rear tyres i would bet are cheapies, some have 40% longer stopping distance to good tyres.
Went through the same in a 530D last year didnt like price of 275x35x18 so had 2 replacements on rear of cheapies nn lasted more than 4k = false economy but more importantly very scary for what you mentioned happened, slow or not.



Apart from tapping accelerator where it will induce rear spin even in an auto instantly.