Damp roads, cheap tyres and fire extinguishers

[Mikkel]

Today, as I was heading through town, I witnessed a car (older Honda civic) getting into a slight sliding over-steer on a fairly sharp right hand corner and then over-correcting going off the road to the left hitting a garden wall ending up facing in the direction it came. I pulled over to check that the driver was unhurt and to see if there was anything that needed doing. Thankfully she was quite alright, if a little bit shaken up - which is of course quite understandable given the situation.

Nothing much to do besides just talking to her making sure she was alright. Car had been roughed up quite significantly, would be a write-off for sure given age and model. There was a bit of light smoke coming from under the bonnet - luckily it came to nothing - and a very slow leak of coolant. Bonnet was jammed so there was no way to get in there to disconnect the battery. No fire extinguisher at hand either, which could have been a problem if the smoke had developed into a proper fire.

Anyway, I couldn't help but check the brand of the rear tyres - Hero. She couldn't have been going much more than 30 km/h when she lost grip at the rear, the road was damp and there wasn't any leaves or spills in the lane itself. Ironically I had been following her a couple of cars back and was feeling a bit annoyed at going so slowly through there... Decent tyres are worth the premium, especially in the wet.

Also, it's a very good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy - even better to have two: A CO2 for minor stuff and a powder one for back up on more serious stuff (powder will make a right mess of anything, so unless you never plan on using the vehicle again use CO2). I think I shall buy a couple on my way home tonight, not having one is stupid - with my background it's even more silly.

[James Deuce]

I think the EU have made it a requirement to carry a fire extinguisher in a vehicle. I think NZ should too.

[Disco Dan]

I have one sitting in the garage not doing anything.. going spare.

Would love to keep it in the car - but so big it wont actually fit in the boot. It's a big industrial one - about 3 foot high.

[vifferman]

I used to have one in the car - a freebie I got when the lab I worked at upgraded them. I used it one day on the Arthur's Pass road; some dodgy-looking individual was sitting beside a smoking Falcoon in a rest area. When I investigated, there appeared to be a rag burning on the engine mount below the fuel bowl.
I put out the wee conflagration, and away I went. Strangely, the guy didn't seem to care that the car was burning, and didn't seem at all thankful for my help.
When I returned hours later, the car was burnt out.

Very suspicious....

[Squiggles]

Was she hot?

[Mikkel]

Was she hot?

Dunno, I didn't ask. It's been a cold day in Chch - although she seemed a bit flustered when I approached her.

[James Deuce]

Dunno, I didn't ask. It's been a cold day in Chch - although she seemed a bit flustered when I approached her.

You wouldn't know a hot one if you fell over one. Your Crown Prince married a Taswegian for goodness sake!

[sinfull]

I have no where to store one on my bike !

[Mikkel]

You wouldn't know a hot one if you fell over one. Your Crown Prince married a Taswegian for goodness sake!

As with the trampoline - you haven't got the faintest clue mate

Denmark is hopelessly old fashioned in some ways, we still have the monarchy and a state-sanctioned church. Off with their heads is all I can say!

[lb99]

, I couldn't help but check the brand of the rear tyres - Hero.

I have some on the rear of my falcon, they were really cheap $68 wholesale or something, ok they are not the best (cheap, Indian), but heres the thing, I'm not going to toot on about my falcon, its a big heavy six, but you have to try if you want to break it out in the rain, I tend to drive quite fast (not a nutter but briskly) so sometimes I have to brake hard, and I cannot recal locking the rear either, I actually rate these tyres better that the budget firestones I had before, time will tell if they last the distance.

both my ute and my wifes car have fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

[McJim]

I just sold my big heavy 4.0 Litre 6 cylinder Falcon. There was a particular corner on the way to work where the back end would break free in the wet (off camber tight right hander through triffic lights) I remember watching this lightweight japanese car following me through the junction trying to keep up. The back end of the Falcon stepped out and I corrected, straightening the car without needing to slow down. Fella behind me lost it completely and spun 180 degrees and was left facing the oncoming traffic.

I laughed a bit that morning.

[lb99]

I just sold my big heavy 4.0 Litre 6 cylinder Falcon. There was a particular corner on the way to work where the back end would break free in the wet (off camber tight right hander through triffic lights) I remember watching this lightweight japanese car following me through the junction trying to keep up. The back end of the Falcon stepped out and I corrected, straightening the car without needing to slow down. Fella behind me lost it completely and spun 180 degrees and was left facing the oncoming traffic.

I laughed a bit that morning.

It's the biker in us, after keeping a powerful bike under control in the rain, a car is a piece of piss.
Its not the tyres, its how the driver reacts.
I love my shitty old falcon

[Okey Dokey]

I've got a fire extinguisher under my drivers seat in my '89 Honda Civic.

I read an awful story a few years ago of men getting badly burned trying to save a driver whose legs were trapped under the dash of her burning car. They couldn't get her free and had to retreat with severe injuries themselves as she perished.

Having a fire extinguisher would have made such a difference. I'm glad I have one in my car, but don't know about having one on my bike...

[lb99]

if you have a fire extinguisher in your car ffs fix it to the floor, its the last thing you want flying around inside if you tip it over (that or your toolbox)

[Mikkel]

It's the biker in us, after keeping a powerful bike under control in the rain, a car is a piece of piss.
Its not the tyres, its how the driver reacts.
I love my shitty old falcon

Be that the case or not. She wasn't going fast enough that she should be having any trouble with grip. If those tyres let go at that speed in those conditions there's something wrong - it might come down to driver competence and suspension, but it is most likely the tyres.

My verdict stands, saving on tyres could be detrimental to your health.