G-Force gauge as a driving tool
#1
G-Force gauge as a driving tool
Today I used the G-Force gauge to measure limits of speed on hairpin curves. The highest recorded numerical value was .98, no tire squeal or sliding. Is this gauge really accurate enough to get a sense of when the auto will start to slide?
#2
No, it reads acceleration only. Nothing to do with traction. In other words it doesn't know if you're on wet or dry pavement, dirt, snow, ice, etc. Also all by itself it gives no idea if or by how much you are sliding. In other words, you could be drifting like Chris Harris at .97 or doing the exact same curve at .97 and not sliding at all. (This is why you hear guys complain that all the drifting we see in videos isn't really fast, it just looks good.) Its a neat thing to have. But what you want, that sense of how close you are to sliding, can only be developed by working the tires hard (driving fast!) and learning to read the feedback tires give as they approach their limits of traction.
#6
So yes it can be used as a driving analysis tool. Just looking at Nicoli's numbers it shows he corners harder turning right (a lot of people do, the door is there for support turning right but not left) and doesn't brake as hard as he corners. Mostly though its your tires that will tell you how close you are to sliding.
#7
As Chuck points out, its like orbital polishing. Nicoli has his work cut out. He has to go out and turn harder left more and brake and accelerate harder. That will get the wrinkles out of his car and help with the earths rotation.
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#11
#12
Eyes Open!
#13
Nope. The tool is a cool gimmick but nothing more.
#14
I didn't even realize that the G-meter kept track of maximums. So when I was out this morning I had to check what they were. This 2014 TTS with 2600 miles on it (2000 of that on winter tires). No track driving, just having some fun every now and then.
L&R - both 0.98
Braking - 0.94
Acceleration - 1.30!! Launch Control FTW
L&R - both 0.98
Braking - 0.94
Acceleration - 1.30!! Launch Control FTW
#15
I thought it was wrinkles too but turns out its a cabriolet.