Road Trip...Hydroplaning?

[chilliwilli]

So on a recent rainy road trip from NYC to Richmond VA for the VSU homecoming football game, I felt the X hydroplane slightly a couple times on the highway. After the second experience, I slowed her speed. There was a steady downpour; tires were 32psi all around and in good condition (worn approx. 8,000 miles); traveling at speeds of 65 - 80mph; big rigs were doing about 80mph.

When I got to my destination, I decided to check all four tires (they seemed to be just fine). After closer inspection, I noticed a torn front-right cv boot. I replaced the left-front about 4,000 miles back.

Any experiences or thoughts on your X hydroplaning?

Do you think the torn cv boot played a part?

If hydroplaning, wouldn't the DSC light up?

By the way...she reached 50,000 miles on this trip and still hauling ass! I took a few more names for the "list": Nissan Z; Infiniti FX45 (quite the sleeper though). They made me do it!

[Wagner]

Any vehicle can hydroplane over 30mph regardless of make/brand/model/etc

Your instance was you going 65-80mph..it's called physics

* at least that is what the DMV in MD will tell you.

[trueX5er]

Yes, all cars have the ability to hydroplane. DSC will only kick in if the vehicle leaves the intended path. If you start to skid, sure, it will kick in. Keep safe

[zerochief]

I hydroplaned today a little bit and the DSC light flashed very quickly in that instance.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Wagner

Any vehicle can hydroplane over 30mph regardless of make/brand/model/etc

Your instance was you going 65-80mph..it's called physics

* at least that is what the DMV in MD will tell you.

His fatty 4.6is tires sure make it easier to float, though

[UncleBob]

it was raining but not heavily. doing about 120kph. hit a patch of standing water. got that floating feeling for a split second. no lights or anything.
FWIW i have an '02 3.0 and the tires are only 235 wide with plenty of tread. as others have said, any car can aquaplane under the right circumstances.

[Wagner]

Ahhh, yeah at 120kph (75mph) you will hydroplane pretty easily going from somewhat dry to wet conditions. No matter the tire, at that speed the tread can not remove the water fast enough from the contact patch. Solution....slow down when there are large 'bodies' of water

[X5Flyboy]

Ditto with all the above - With my sport setup Diamaris, I definitely dial it back in the rain as they are a dry pavement tire - years ago on my '75 280Z I ran Vredestein tires as they had the best wet weather performance with very good dry weather tread life(way back then) - hadn't thought about them in years, wonder if they are still made? - have to look it up someday

[Ajogu]

Make sure you slow down before hitting the water patches. Braking while aquaplanning is not fun

[X5Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Ajogu

Make sure you slow down before hitting the water patches. Braking while aquaplanning is not fun

Braking is the absolute worst thing you could do if you lose traction - go off the gas, try to keep the car straight, drive thru the puddle - two hands on the wheel is a must - a deep puddle could knock a one-handed grip off the wheel - One good thing is the vehicle weight is a plus - remember going thru deep puddles soaks the brakes, so braking distance increases

During my factory pickup I got to do wet track driving - 70mph slam the brakes AND steer around a right hand turn - It worked great! - Like it was on rails - BUT that was not puddles, just wet pavement - It was great to experience that the ABS really does its job.