have you ever done a panic stop?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Bend Oregon
have you ever done a panic stop?
bicycle swerved in front of me as I was doing 50mph and I had no idea this c5 could stop like it did. I have the NITTO 555 and this was a life or death test and this car stopped so fast my hat fell off. Anyone have a similar experience?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Its really one of the things I like to show people that want to see a little of what the car can do when out for a ride. I usually have them put their sunglasses on, and pull them down a bit.....come off every time 
You dont even have to abuse it, just 40 or so and quick firm progressive perssure.
You dont even have to abuse it, just 40 or so and quick firm progressive perssure.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: Springville IN
Sure have! I merged onto the highway right when a truck dropped off half a dozen square hay bails right in front of me. There was a tiny chirp from my BFG KDW2s to what seemed to be a sudden stop. Let's just say I'm glad there was no one behind me b/c if there was my vette woulda had more problems than a few hay bails. lol
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Panic stops are great when needed but I wouldn't go demonstrating them for others as you will grind the rubber off the tires and that's costly. Yes, the TC/AH will help that from happening. In my opinion, just know you can and use it if you need too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
For those of us who track their cars, threshold, or maximum braking is the order of business lap after lap. These machines do stop quite well. As far as unnecessary wear on the tires, the brakes will be long gone and in need of replacing before street tires.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 508
Likes: 3
From: Tallahassee, FL
That's the first thing that REALLY impressed my about the Z06.
Have the same tires, Hawk HP+ pads. After buying it, I was driving home in a pretty good rain, some geezer just pulls out of a parking lot right in front of me. I was doing about 45 mph (A1A), hit the brakes pretty hard. Stopped like I dropped an anchor. No twitch, no slide. Wife looked at me and said "Wow!" Adds to the confidence when driving in a spirited manner.
Have the same tires, Hawk HP+ pads. After buying it, I was driving home in a pretty good rain, some geezer just pulls out of a parking lot right in front of me. I was doing about 45 mph (A1A), hit the brakes pretty hard. Stopped like I dropped an anchor. No twitch, no slide. Wife looked at me and said "Wow!" Adds to the confidence when driving in a spirited manner.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
My opinion on not doing this till its needed except for testing it yourself initially, is I use to carpool with a guy who's little car did not have ABS for whatever reason. We did a panic stop one evening on the way from work and even though he did get us stopped in time to avoid slamming into this fool, he ground off the rubber badly. Car road like it was on rocks due to the flat spots now in the rubber. Using it as intended and demonstrating it to impress people are two different things. Again, I think its a great idea to test for yourself so you know the capabilities, but just once or again after a brake change.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
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From: Yorktown Virginia
The first time I went to apply the brakes the car almost came to a complete stop because I was so used to having to apply so much pressure. Then there is always a few test I like to do when I get in a new vehicle and stopping from 60 is one of them. I feel its always good to know the limits of the car you are driving no matter what.And I did have to stop pretty quick on I 64 on the way back from the NCM because of real heavy stop and go traffic the semi in front of me just about locked up, of course I didnt really have any problem stopping but I did stop quick enough for the bmw behind me to have to get off the road because they couldnt stop fast enough. Its a good thing I was paying attention because if I had not let off the brakes and sucked up real close to the semi that 3 series would have been in my back bumper.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
There's only one thing between death and life for a young man on bike, and he doesn't even know it. And that one thing is me and my vette.
He was in a green weenie liberal bike lane so beloved by our politicians in Columbia, Mo when he just darted to the left without looking or slowing down while wearing headphones so he couldn't hear either.
If not for me and my C5 he would at the very least have been in the hospital. I missed him by single digit inches and he didn't even see it.
He was in a green weenie liberal bike lane so beloved by our politicians in Columbia, Mo when he just darted to the left without looking or slowing down while wearing headphones so he couldn't hear either.
If not for me and my C5 he would at the very least have been in the hospital. I missed him by single digit inches and he didn't even see it.
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Sure I've had to do panic stops before - not a fun feeling when you have to stop really quick or else.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
I keep an eye in the mirror, when someone is following closely. They have no idea on how quick a Vette can stop. I either slow down to get them off my rear, or speed up and watch them get smaller and smaller in the mirror. When I first purchased the Vette, I did a panic stop from 60 mph, just to see what the car would do. Knowing how it will stop is just as important as knowing how it will accelerate.
Last edited by mooney201; Jun 28, 2011 at 03:03 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Glad to say its part of the driving test in England.
I've used it a few times over the years
I'd be more confident of a safe stop in the Vette than in most cars.
I've used it a few times over the years
I'd be more confident of a safe stop in the Vette than in most cars.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I did a partial panic stop/swerve one night when I found myself with a stopped car, blacked out, on the freeway in front of me and I was doing about 75. Some how missed it by a hair but the hair was good enough. Guy behind me wasn't so lucky and slammed into the stopped car at full speed. Thank goodness I was driving the Corvette.
