Pet peeve: No, you're not faster with VSC off
LOL 
Truth is, a "Rockford Turn" is accomplished with the emergency-brake, and vastly more manageable when said brake is engaged by hand rather than foot, like that old 1974 Firebird Esprit.
And in that context, only our 6MT Sedan has a hand-brake. But even that's not true, because what we actually have is a lame-azz parking brake, not a proper emergency brake. I can't tell you how many times I've approached a parked police car and instinctively yanked on the brake handle, only to be foolishly reminded that nothing is going to happen.

Truth is, a "Rockford Turn" is accomplished with the emergency-brake, and vastly more manageable when said brake is engaged by hand rather than foot, like that old 1974 Firebird Esprit.
And in that context, only our 6MT Sedan has a hand-brake. But even that's not true, because what we actually have is a lame-azz parking brake, not a proper emergency brake. I can't tell you how many times I've approached a parked police car and instinctively yanked on the brake handle, only to be foolishly reminded that nothing is going to happen.
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From: Earths toilet: Houston Texas
LOL 
Truth is, a "Rockford Turn" is accomplished with the emergency-brake, and vastly more manageable when said brake is engaged by hand rather than foot, like that old 1974 Firebird Esprit.
And in that context, only our 6MT Sedan has a hand-brake. But even that's not true, because what we actually have is a lame-azz parking brake, not a proper emergency brake. I can't tell you how many times I've approached a parked police car and instinctively yanked on the brake handle, only to be foolishly reminded that nothing is going to happen.

Truth is, a "Rockford Turn" is accomplished with the emergency-brake, and vastly more manageable when said brake is engaged by hand rather than foot, like that old 1974 Firebird Esprit.
And in that context, only our 6MT Sedan has a hand-brake. But even that's not true, because what we actually have is a lame-azz parking brake, not a proper emergency brake. I can't tell you how many times I've approached a parked police car and instinctively yanked on the brake handle, only to be foolishly reminded that nothing is going to happen.

..
Jump to 43 seconds!
Stickier tires--like the Pilot SS or Bridgestone S04--would help a lot.
Seriously? Using the brakes would be far more effective in shedding speed prior to approaching a parked police car. Unless you drive around with your hand on the parking brake.
Do you run a radar detector?
Do you run a radar detector?
Anyone ever encounter loss of power on a turn on certain occasions with the 7 speed auto? Not sure if it's lag in the transmission or the vdc kicking in but my transmission is fully updated from the dealer
Stickier tires--like the Pilot SS or Bridgestone S04--would help a lot.
Seriously? Using the brakes would be far more effective in shedding speed prior to approaching a parked police car. Unless you drive around with your hand on the parking brake.
Do you run a radar detector?
Seriously? Using the brakes would be far more effective in shedding speed prior to approaching a parked police car. Unless you drive around with your hand on the parking brake.
Do you run a radar detector?
About 25 years ago I had a new 240SX... absolutely loved that handbrake.
i get this sometimes coming out of a turn. it feels like the car is in too high of a gear and takes a while to downshift. if i have it in manual mode, i drop down to second or third, but it still feels like it takes longer to put power to the ground than in my 5AT G35.
Originally Posted by bigc
i get this sometimes coming out of a turn. it feels like the car is in too high of a gear and takes a while to downshift. if i have it in manual mode, i drop down to second or third, but it still feels like it takes longer to put power to the ground than in my 5AT G35.
The parking brake isn't going to "quickly slow down a car" compared to the actual brakes, unless you are trying to slow down by 2-3 mph, then who cares, practically everyone brakes when they see a cop.
In my youth, I got a 78 in a 55. The officer told me "we both know you were going a lot faster" because I jammed on my breaks. He even let me see the radar display, because I didn't think there was any way he could have gotten a clean read on me. Grabbing the parking brake would have done even less to mitigate the impending ticket.
You're speeding and see a police car.
You can A)Move your foot from the accelerator to the brake and quickly slow down using all your braking capacity, or B) move your hand from the steering wheel down to the parking brake to yank up on it and use only a fraction of your cars braking capability to slow down.
If you are going fast enough to warrant a ticket, A is the best option to actually avoid it.
I guess it sounds cool though
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: People's Republic of IL
Ah the infamous Rockford. Those are fun to do in the snow.
My lap times are always much faster w/ VDC off. On the street the VDC seems very intrusive on my G right now because I am on snow tires- it kicks in before I even start to slide. It was not as bad on the stock summer tires, but still annoying. Hopefully, it is a lot better on the street once I get my sticky tires on (if it ever stops snowing here...)
My lap times are always much faster w/ VDC off. On the street the VDC seems very intrusive on my G right now because I am on snow tires- it kicks in before I even start to slide. It was not as bad on the stock summer tires, but still annoying. Hopefully, it is a lot better on the street once I get my sticky tires on (if it ever stops snowing here...)
You can A)Move your foot from the accelerator to the brake and quickly slow down using all your braking capacity, or B) move your hand from the steering wheel down to the parking brake to yank up on it and use only a fraction of your cars braking capability to slow down.
If you are going fast enough to warrant a ticket, A is the best option to actually avoid it.
I guess it sounds cool though
If you are going fast enough to warrant a ticket, A is the best option to actually avoid it.
I guess it sounds cool though


It neither sounds cool nor doesn't sound cool... it's just basic psych. In a field of cars suspected of speeding either by radar or by eye, the car reacting in an obvious way is the one most likely to get attention. However, if you're the only car and he nails you with radar, well then you're screwed no matter what you do or don't do.
Now it's undeniable that Jim Rockford was cool, with (stunt driver) skills, an understated Firebird, and loads of self-confidence. You can almost overlook that he lived in a trailer with his father.
Last edited by Rochester; Apr 2, 2016 at 07:49 PM.
And there is no emergency brake "designation", because it's called a Parking Brake system. It's not intended for emergency use, only for parking. I mean, it will stop the car's forward motion, but eventually, and very, very slowly.
Rollyeye all you want, man. But it is what it is.
Last edited by Rochester; Apr 2, 2016 at 09:35 PM.








