Fishtail Action
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Loveland CO
Fishtail Action
I was driving my vette the other night, and I was getting onto the highway, I came down the cloverleaf and was doing about 35 when I punched it in the straight away to get up to speed. I let the car rep out to 2nd gear and when she shifted, the rear end departed on me. I was able to get the car back, but it was really strange. No wet pavement, or anything and the traction control never lit up. I have an 05 with the A4 tranny. Has this happened to you guys before? It scared me a little bit, almost put the car into the concrete divider. Any opinions on this, what did I do wrong?
Thanks
Erik
Thanks
Erik
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
posi-traction will do that to you.. it will usually kick out to the right... both wheels were spinning and you lose some traction... it usually comes back in line.. I get this to when I slam 2nd and 3rd... when it's cold out or the road is greasy.. the fishtail will be more severe...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Loveland CO
posi-traction will do that to you.. it will usually kick out to the right... both wheels were spinning and you lose some traction... it usually comes back in line.. I get this to when I slam 2nd and 3rd... when it's cold out or the road is greasy.. the fishtail will be more severe...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
On my previous Camaros and my GTO with the 4-speed-auto, you have to be careful...if you are in a hard turn or corner when it shifts, bad things can happen. After a couple of close calls, I've trained myself not to get on the throttle hard until I'm going straight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
That is exactly what happened, I guess I haven't really experienced it before so I was a little shook up. The car lunged a little bit the right on me but snapped back. It was late at night about 2 in the morning and so there might have been some humidity on the road. I really should just find myself and empty parking lot and just fool around in the car to see where the edge is, just so I know where my abilities end.
Excellent idea!! Everyone that wants to do some spirited driving with their vettes should do likewise. I sorted mine out at LimeRock Race Track and I'm very glad I did. You now have the basics of drifting! 
Actually under controlled conditions it's a lot of fun kicking the rear out with the go fast pedal. There would be a lot fewer "opps threads" if OP's would take the time to really learn how their cars react under certain conditions..... Most accidents are driver induced because they simply don't know their limits or the cars!! Safe motoring to you in the future...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 2
I was driving my vette the other night, and I was getting onto the highway, I came down the cloverleaf and was doing about 35 when I punched it in the straight away to get up to speed. I let the car rep out to 2nd gear and when she shifted, the rear end departed on me. I was able to get the car back, but it was really strange. No wet pavement, or anything and the traction control never lit up. I have an 05 with the A4 tranny. Has this happened to you guys before? It scared me a little bit, almost put the car into the concrete divider. Any opinions on this, what did I do wrong?
Thanks
Erik
Thanks
Erik
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 638
Likes: 115
From: The High Mountains of North Texas
Yes, the race track is where I sorted mine out as well. Three 25 minutes sessions, and the edge of the envelope is understood much better.
My GTO would do that, coming out of a turn and punch it, and she'd snap in a hurry. Always easy to catch, though the passenger might grab something!
Remember that as the tires wear their grip really goes away. My factory skins got 10K on them, and while they still got plenty of tread, they don't handle NEARLY as good as when they were new. Definitely some different skins next time.
My GTO would do that, coming out of a turn and punch it, and she'd snap in a hurry. Always easy to catch, though the passenger might grab something!
Remember that as the tires wear their grip really goes away. My factory skins got 10K on them, and while they still got plenty of tread, they don't handle NEARLY as good as when they were new. Definitely some different skins next time.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 706
Likes: 2
From: Ontario cali
That is exactly what happened, I guess I haven't really experienced it before so I was a little shook up. The car lunged a little bit the right on me but snapped back. It was late at night about 2 in the morning and so there might have been some humidity on the road. I really should just find myself and empty parking lot and just fool around in the car to see where the edge is, just so I know where my abilities end.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 7
From: Wailuku Hawaii
Yup, even with the trac. control on, the Corvette could bite you in the behind if not careful
It takes a little time if you're not used to the power to weight ratio as well as the torque and acceleration of these cars, Be careful, 
Salt
It takes a little time if you're not used to the power to weight ratio as well as the torque and acceleration of these cars, Be careful, Salt
car will be MUCH easier to drive and control.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Loveland CO
I appreciate all of the comments, I will just have to be a little more careful, and I think I might look at some different tires at some point. The roads here in the Seattle area are pretty terrible, so getting something a little softer might not be a bad idea.
Being here in the northwest it's like Pious, I mean Prius hell. They are everywhere. It would seem like a lot of folks have ordered the Obama/Biden package with the O badges and the optional No War For Oil sticker.