RPMs and Wet Roads

AnthonyPearson · 05-16-2005, 07:19 AM

Good morning, I'm new to both the S2000 and the website and had two quick questions.

I just bought my S2000 last weekend and was wondering what is the average RPM the car should run at? I had a Jeep Cherokee before this car and it ran at between 2-4 but the S2000 runs from 3-5...would you say that is correct or that I am holding gears too long before shifting?

Second question: I was driving in the rain yesterday and felt my car slip a bit. Since I've never had a car (always drove the Jeep), is that a common situation with the Honda/cars that are lower to the grounds?

Thanks. I look forward to talking with this group.

Anthony

Halo · 05-16-2005, 09:48 AM

The gearing on this car is about as far as you can get from your Jeep

The engine in this car is just an overgrown motorcycle engine.

Even 6th gear is fairly short so you're going to be cruising near 4,000 rpm at freeway speeds.

AnthonyPearson · 05-16-2005, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the info Halo. One of the difference that I absolutely think is great is how, when I turn the wheel, the car actually turns! I swear, when I had the jeep I felt like I had to turn the wheel a good fifteen degrees before the car even moved a little.

Do you have any comments on the wet road slipping situaiton?

kuzamano · 05-16-2005, 12:40 PM

The tires on your S have much to do with any slippage. Obviously, some high performance tires aren't recommended at all for wet roads.
Tirerack.com does a good job of rating for road conditions. If ur tires are rainworthy, you may have just hit some stagnate oil that awoke from the rain. S2K is a mean machine, I just drive very very slow on wet roads, especially the curvy ones I drive here in the Appalacians

....or you'll end up being crashed and bitter like the Honda Hater that got thrown 120ft. Congrats on ur new ride

wowowox · 05-17-2005, 03:57 AM

Hi .

u feel u turn faster or easier now with less turinging on the steering wheel is because the way how it is designed, honda try to make it somewhat like a race car so little turning on the steering u can feel the car is actually turning. anyway basically honda is just playing around with the ratio of the gears behind the steering wheel.

Halo · 05-17-2005, 10:38 AM

Electrical steering assist (as opposed to hydraulic like on most cars). The S2000 was the first production car to have it. Now it is becoming more mainstream.

Java Junky · 06-21-2005, 03:47 AM

Anthony;
If you've already been hangin' the tail out comin' around corners and you're not postin' a crashed S2 or sendin' in pictures you're doin' fine. It's not so much the fact that the car is low as that it has enough power to make the drive wheels (in this case, the rear wheels) break traction and lose their grip. This translates into still having your front wheels planted and your ass-end havin' a tendency to race the front end to the corner. It's somethin' that anybody with a rear wheel drive car should be familiar and comfortable with because it doesn't only happen when you want it to and sooner or later (though I've witnessed some S2 owners who, I'm sure have never pushed it to the point of ANY loss of traction) you're gonna be forced to deal with it whether you want to or not.
Hangin' the tail out comin' around corners is a balance that only comes with practice and once you get the hang of it you'll find yourself lookin' for corners to use it on.
As far as slidin' it in the rain. I wouldn't intentionally practice that until you've had the car supportin' your butt for a while longer. While the rain makes it easier to slip it's REALLY unforgiving if you allow it to slip too far.
It's just a matter of gaining experience and not gettin' cocky. Cocky'll have you talkin' big with a limp n' missin' body parts.
Best of luck with your new ride. You're gonna love it. Jus' don't forget what you're drivin' n' try any curb jumpin' or creek-fording manuvers. It sure's hell ain't no jeep.
(I'm particularly glad to have you aboard as I thought I was the only new kid on the block)
Be well.

it'll It's the difference b

RCduck7 · 06-21-2005, 11:50 AM

Beware for small roads and sand!

If the backend goes and you panic you better have a good counter at that panic in a split second or you can go to the next farmer to pull you out the scenery.

Thankfully with me it hasn't come that far and hopefully never will.

05-16-2005, 07:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
AnthonyPearson Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	RPMs and Wet Roads Good morning, I'm new to both the S2000 and the website and had two quick questions. I just bought my S2000 last weekend and was wondering what is the average RPM the car should run at? I had a Jeep Cherokee before this car and it ran at between 2-4 but the S2000 runs from 3-5...would you say that is correct or that I am holding gears too long before shifting? Second question: I was driving in the rain yesterday and felt my car slip a bit. Since I've never had a car (always drove the Jeep), is that a common situation with the Honda/cars that are lower to the grounds? Thanks. I look forward to talking with this group. Anthony

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05-16-2005, 09:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 598	The gearing on this car is about as far as you can get from your Jeep The engine in this car is just an overgrown motorcycle engine. Even 6th gear is fairly short so you're going to be cruising near 4,000 rpm at freeway speeds.

05-16-2005, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
AnthonyPearson Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks for the info Halo. One of the difference that I absolutely think is great is how, when I turn the wheel, the car actually turns! I swear, when I had the jeep I felt like I had to turn the wheel a good fifteen degrees before the car even moved a little. Do you have any comments on the wet road slipping situaiton?

05-16-2005, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
kuzamano Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 11	The tires on your S have much to do with any slippage. Obviously, some high performance tires aren't recommended at all for wet roads. Tirerack.com does a good job of rating for road conditions. If ur tires are rainworthy, you may have just hit some stagnate oil that awoke from the rain. S2K is a mean machine, I just drive very very slow on wet roads, especially the curvy ones I drive here in the Appalacians ....or you'll end up being crashed and bitter like the Honda Hater that got thrown 120ft. Congrats on ur new ride

05-17-2005, 03:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
wowowox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 307	Hi . u feel u turn faster or easier now with less turinging on the steering wheel is because the way how it is designed, honda try to make it somewhat like a race car so little turning on the steering u can feel the car is actually turning. anyway basically honda is just playing around with the ratio of the gears behind the steering wheel.

05-17-2005, 10:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Halo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 598	Electrical steering assist (as opposed to hydraulic like on most cars). The S2000 was the first production car to have it. Now it is becoming more mainstream.

06-21-2005, 03:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,433	Anthony; If you've already been hangin' the tail out comin' around corners and you're not postin' a crashed S2 or sendin' in pictures you're doin' fine. It's not so much the fact that the car is low as that it has enough power to make the drive wheels (in this case, the rear wheels) break traction and lose their grip. This translates into still having your front wheels planted and your ass-end havin' a tendency to race the front end to the corner. It's somethin' that anybody with a rear wheel drive car should be familiar and comfortable with because it doesn't only happen when you want it to and sooner or later (though I've witnessed some S2 owners who, I'm sure have never pushed it to the point of ANY loss of traction) you're gonna be forced to deal with it whether you want to or not. Hangin' the tail out comin' around corners is a balance that only comes with practice and once you get the hang of it you'll find yourself lookin' for corners to use it on. As far as slidin' it in the rain. I wouldn't intentionally practice that until you've had the car supportin' your butt for a while longer. While the rain makes it easier to slip it's REALLY unforgiving if you allow it to slip too far. It's just a matter of gaining experience and not gettin' cocky. Cocky'll have you talkin' big with a limp n' missin' body parts. Best of luck with your new ride. You're gonna love it. Jus' don't forget what you're drivin' n' try any curb jumpin' or creek-fording manuvers. It sure's hell ain't no jeep. (I'm particularly glad to have you aboard as I thought I was the only new kid on the block) Be well. it'll It's the difference b

06-21-2005, 11:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
RCduck7 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 123	Beware for small roads and sand! If the backend goes and you panic you better have a good counter at that panic in a split second or you can go to the next farmer to pull you out the scenery. Thankfully with me it hasn't come that far and hopefully never will.