How Fast is it Safe To Go in My 4Runner?

[Gecko123]

And for the "you're not safe at X speed" grandmas out there.

Safe is relative, at 20mph I was very unsafe the first 100 miles I ever drove. 1000's of drive miles later and a few years I was unsafe again on the roads at 30mph when I got my first motorcycle. 10s of thousands of miles later and thousands of motorcycle miles later I was fairly unsafe at 120mph on a motorcycle. 15 years later and I've hit 170 a couple of times on a motorcycle and felt pretty darn unsafe, but when I slowed down 120mph after that it felt very safe and almost calm.

If you feel unsafe at a certain speed chances are good that you are, dont impose your lack of driving ability and fear of speed on someone else.

Before anyone gets in to a conniption fit I live in the NV Desert that for most part is flat and free of vegetation or other visual impairments. And for the love of Gawd please dont tell me its the law. Some mental midget in a Govt office decides thats the speed limit so I'm forever bound to follow it? I'll accept my tickets and move on.

:bounce:

Safe is not all realative. There is some call law of physics. No matter how good you are at driving there is no way you can stop or maneuver in time if something unexpected happens. Think before you speak. People like you who are irresponsible and put others lives in danger.

 

[NichelleJ]

Okay well thanks for all the responses. Ya, deer, and surprises would be major issues normally, but not here. It is extreme eastern Colorado. No trees at all. No hills, no nothing. You can see everything for hundreds of miles.

I will personally guarantee you, that there are plenty of animals large enough to wreck your vehicle around the roads of "extreme eastern Colorado". At 100 mph an animal doesn't need to be very big, it only takes one badger or prairie dog waddling into the road, a coyote, fox, or antelope jumping out of the grass, a vulture or eagle swooping down to grab a meal, or as someone mentioned above, even a little turtle!

Plus, while your speed might not make you more likely to blow your tires (depending on their rating) dirt roads in general are very hard on tires. Even at reasonable speeds you run a much higher risk of blowing a tire on driving on dirt than asphalt. In less than a year, my boyfriend has blown TWO Kevlar truck tires, and I've shredded one of my Michelin all-terrains...all three blow outs were unavoidable, we just caught sharp rocks the wrong way on dirt roads.

So be careful!

 

[Macaque]

It is governed, 120 mph.

I'm surprised it can even hit 120 with the aerodynamics of a brick hahaha

 

[DaGimp]

Safe is not all realative. There is some call law of physics. No matter how good you are at driving there is no way you can stop or maneuver in time if something unexpected happens. Think before you speak. People like you who are irresponsible and put others lives in danger.

Safe is not relative to speed? Did you even read what you typed? It is better to seem ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

 

[Macaque]

Safe is not relative to speed? Did you even read what you typed? It is better to seem ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

You're missing his point. Whether a driving maneuver is possible or not possible (safe vs unsafe), is determined by physics, not by the skill of a driver. Even with the best driver in the world behind the wheel, a 4Runner is going to roll if the driver tries to pull over 1g going 100mph on a skidpad. It's just math. If you have a 2500kg vehicle moving at 45m/s it's gonna take 2.5 MILLION joules of work to stop it, most of which must come from the brakes. It takes a while for some standard SUV disc brakes to do that much work, even with wind resistance to help.

 

[emelianenkov]

Lets keep this civil.

I'll be handing out nice little forum vacations for the next insult/name calling

There is no reason to berate someone, no matter what they do. It's their life and their decisions, worry about your own. Discuss things politely or do not post.

 

[DaGimp]

You're missing his point. Whether a driving maneuver is possible or not possible (safe vs unsafe), is determined by physics, not by the skill of a driver. Even with the best driver in the world behind the wheel, a 4Runner is going to roll if the driver tries to pull over 1g going 100mph on a skidpad. It's just math. If you have a 2500kg vehicle moving at 45m/s it's gonna take 2.5 MILLION joules of work to stop it, most of which must come from the brakes. It takes a while for some standard SUV disc brakes to do that much work, even with wind resistance to help.

And that is very simply why you dont go 100mph into a corner with a 4 runner.

Moving is unsafe, we could all sit in our driveways and be safe as possible in our 4runner knowing we're much safer than moving out on the road. At what speed does it become unsafe? Here in the wide open desert where I can see for miles in any direction and there is almost no wild life I feel very safe going down the flat smooth visually unobstructed freeway at 100mph. Yes I'm not as safe as say going 5mph but when exactly does does it become UNSAFE. Its up to the drivers skill, its up to the weather, its up to the circumstances you're driving in.

Does it take longer to stop at 100mph than 5mph yes it does, should we all drive 5mph just to be safe? Should we have speed bumps every 10ft on the freeway just to be safe? Where you do draw the line, for me that lines happens to be a higher MPH than most.

Ask me how many accidents I've been in my 20 years of driving that I was at fault?

 

[Gecko123]

And that is very simply why you dont go 100mph into a corner with a 4 runner.

Moving is unsafe, we could all sit in our driveways and be safe as possible in our 4runner knowing we're much safer than moving out on the road. At what speed does it become unsafe? Here in the wide open desert where I can see for miles in any direction and there is almost no wild life I feel very safe going down the flat smooth visually unobstructed freeway at 100mph. Yes I'm not as safe as say going 5mph but when exactly does does it become UNSAFE. Its up to the drivers skill, its up to the weather, its up to the circumstances you're driving in.

Does it take longer to stop at 100mph than 5mph yes it does, should we all drive 5mph just to be safe? Should we have speed bumps every 10ft on the freeway just to be safe? Where you do draw the line, for me that lines happens to be a higher MPH than most.

Ask me how many accidents I've been in my 20 years of driving that I was at fault?

Wow. you really don't think. Just because you haven't gotten into any accidents in 20 years doesn't mean excessive speeding is safe. All we are saying, the faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the reaction time car has to stop. you cannot defy the law of physics. simple as that. too make it even worse, speeding on an SUV, really?

You remind me of a high school kid. I remember back in high school, there was this one student who was someone of a jock and he was actually a really fast runner as well, but he smoked. So the teacher said to him that is harmful for you and will impact your performance. His response it hasnt slowed me down yet, i run just as fast as i did last year.

 

[awdjunkies]

Wow. you really don't think. Just because you haven't gotten into any accidents in 20 years doesn't mean excessive speeding is safe. All we are saying, the faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the reaction time car has to stop. you cannot defy the law of physics. simple as that. too make it even worse, speeding on an SUV, really?

You remind me of a high school kid. I remember back in high school, there was this one student who was someone of a jock and he was actually a really fast runner as well, but he smoked. So the teacher said to him that is harmful for you and will impact your performance. His response it hasnt slowed me down yet, i run just as fast as i did last year.

:wtf: :facepalm:

 

[DaGimp]

Wow. you really don't think. Just because you haven't gotten into any accidents in 20 years doesn't mean excessive speeding is safe. All we are saying, the faster you go, the less reaction time you have and the reaction time car has to stop. .

Clearly you dont think or read. I understand the laws of physics and I understand greater stopping distances.

So what is excessive speed, why you dont you define that for me :nod:

 

[TFJ-4runner]

I got a good laugh out of this thread thanks. I think the correct question is if my driver ability is good enough to go fast in my 4runner. The vehicle reaches the speeds it does from factory for a reason. On a nice stretch of highways yes it can stay at top speed as long as theres fuel and the tires are up to the task. I have to ask though why even bother with this though? If you want to go "fast" in these conditions go get a Subaru or EVO. I've pushed mine to it's top speed a time or two in the proper conditions to see how it handles it. Personally I think you need to push the vehicle to it's limits so you know how it performs before hand if you ever happen to be in a situation to need it...Say a zombie attack or running from an F5 tornado. With that said, yes it will be fine as long as it's in decent shape all around and you have the nerves to do it. God speed sir.

 

[T4rman]

If the driver is competent to control the vehicle, he's not going to endanger anyone by speeding. I also don't understand how a guy driving fast out in the middle of nowhere, with plenty of visibility, is going to be more dangerous than some of the stuff in the city. Seriously guys? Let's do the joules calculation on a 90,000lb semi truck going 65. There are much better problems to argue about.

:bigok:


This has been a pretty entertaining read. :snacker:

 

[jconusn]

Well said T4rman. Let him do what he wants to do, the problem today is we try to "regulate" everything, that's why we have to go to such great extents to modify our
T4R's is because of such regulataion. Save your arguments for some place else, or even better...in person like men. /rant

 

[ththsfghu]

How would I describe myself?

 

[zopperman]

How would I describe myself?

this is spam... a sign from above to close this thread

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

This thread is funny and not for the reason most will think of..........

 

[adkinsadam1]

Here is how fast I was driving 3 weeks ago on this road trying to avoid the softball sized bombs coming out of this mothership. This is 4th gear. Imagine how fast this could go if it were not limited in 5th. 130+ not out of the question. For the record, this tornado warned storm was ON ME and I had to GET if you know what I mean. Which is why I was flying. But I did not see another soul on this road.

 

[bigskyeric]

I love this thread. I too thought is was a joke at first, then i wondered if he was from Montana or some western state. When I moved to minnesota from Montana a big adjustment was how slow everyone drives. People just drive faster out west. You can see for miles, there isn't any traffic, and if there is they are driving fast. Buy a X5, Cayenne or Jeep SRT if want an suv that goes fast and handles. 4 runners are a comfy and well built but they are not built to drive fast.

 

[Tooltime19]

Well at first I was going to just stay quiet and lurk in the background. Then I figured I would jump in and stir up some dust. First, do I think everybody should go fast in anything just because it can, Hell No! But, as a Performance Driving Instructor for the last 20 years, Ive seen enough tool bags out there that just cant be taught period! Then take the same tool bag and let them "think" they can drive. Wrong again! I don't care what or who one is. Nothing matters if you drive an unprepped bag of shit! I had the duties of certifying customers and their vehicles during a process to obtain their SCCA certs. Them and their cars. I had to joy of telling so many people they couldn't drive a stick up a dogs ass, and that their car should not be driven at speeds more than 55mph.
Now, on to the good stuff. As a professional instructor, I have this to say. When Im on the freeways in open areas, don't bother me because Im comin. I don't bother other cars, except for those who feel Im going too fast, and try to slow me down. To them, I say, you are the ones causing more inncodents trying to play freeway cop! I drive myself, the way I want to. I get thru traffic better than you. I don't bother waiting for some wanna be road cop feebly trying to slow me down. Im usuallt going to fast to even bother with you.
Also, my 4th gen 4runner is supremely maintained. Great tires, great suspension ect ect. That doesn't mean something cant break ect. Yes the 4runners have a lot of sway, but if you know how to use the throttle,brake,and shifter, and sometimes all at the same time, you will be fine. BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE HAD FORMAL TRAINING, and know the physics and dynamics of any vehicle. My other car is a Charger SRT8, and like my T4 its also maintained well. If one has training, talent,common sense, and the ability to know their limits, I have no problem with anyone going fast,just as long as whomever knows the risks. Nothing is safe! You can walk outside and get hit by one of these *******s that choose to run red lights all the time. It is what it is. Fast or not fast, shit happens. Just know your limits and the risks involved.

 

[emelianenkov]

That is all.... Lol. Friggin limiter