Forum Discussion
Bucky1320
Jun 24, 2015Explorer
Cloud Dancer wrote:
Once again, the reason that the instructor in the Michelin Video does not explain the reason for stepping on the accelerator, is simply because the explanation consists of several parts, and would probably end up maxing out the attention span of most viewers. But, I'll keep trying to convince you that the laws of science apply in all phases of the instructional Michelin Video.
I'll start by saying that the Michelin Video is directed at those drivers who can keep their wits about them (do not panic), and can call on their intuitive and cognitive abilities which are honed by their driving experiences.
So, if you do NOT react immediately, and turn the steering wheel in the direction AWAY from the pull caused by the blown-out tire,.....well, you've got a lot of catching up to do.
Here's where it gets more involved. If you don't understand the design of the differential in the rear axle of your motorhome, and if you don't understand the effect of gravity on your motorhome and how gravity explains why there is a weight shift from the corner of a blown out tire TO two(2) other corners (RF & LR) WHICH BTW are supported by inflated tires,.........well, you just won't be able to understand all the reasons why you should step on the power pedal of the motorhome.
So, I'll say this: ONE reason you should step on the power pedal (at the same time you're steering away from the side of the blown tire) is because you also want ALL the possible help of the POWER STEERING feature of your motorhome. NOW, if you instinctively step on the brake, it disengages the cruise control, which slows down the engine-driven power steering pump. (stepping on the brake also has other unwanted consequences)
Back to the differential in the rear axle: The weight shift due to the blown-out tire (recall that it can NO LONGER support the same share of its previously assigned weight), this weight shift means that in this case more weight is now on the right-front tire and more weight is now on the left-rear DRIVE tires! BOTH, of which can help the situation, SPECIALLY if you step on the power pedal. Yes, the left-rear drive tires, at this point, will have more traction than the right-rear drive tires. There's three reasons for this: the design of the differential, the aforementioned weight shift, PLUS the weight shift due to the crown in the road. Obviously, more left rear thrust will certainly help in countering the dangerous pull towards the side of the blown tire. STEP ON THE GAS, it might save the day.
There's more to be said about all this, there always is.....:B
The entire concept dismisses practicality completely. Watch the video in question. From the time that the tire blows to when that dude is off the paved surface takes how long? Ok. Now if you add the time from when the tire blows to when it registers with the driver, and the time it takes to react to it, to when the throttle goes down, to when actual additional power is provided....how long is that? By the time you add these times together, even if you are on the road, the vehicle has slowed to some extent, and the period when the weight transfer would help is gone. When you watch the dudes in the Michelin video, understand that he KNOWS what is coming and WHEN it is coming. Maybe under those conditions a person could pour the coals to it quick enough.
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