Experienced Aquaplaning! Attention... - Page 3

motordavid · #21 01-05-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtech8

...I'm pretty good in the rain with sedans. This will be my first performance SUV, so I'll just assume it's even more prone to hydroplaning than sedans and drive accordingly.

Probably not "more prone" just because it's an suv...hydroplaning is an effect based on combo of several variables, including speed, amount of water, tread condition, and not least of all, tire width.

I have not experienced more, or less hydroplaning in the X, vs other cars.
It performs remarkably well in any condition, but common sense prevails.
GL,mD

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Danielsand · #22 01-05-2009, 10:38 AM

I am driving for 37 years. 20 of those in Europe and American Midwest with PLENTY of rain, sleet and snow. First rule of the driving is: Adjust your driving based on the road conditions!

I've driven 130-140 MPH on the German/Austrian autobahns in the rain. If the road is well constructed, with a good drainage, you have good tires, there is no problem. If ANY of these parameters change, ......adjust your driving!

In the locales where road construction is less perfect (standing water on the pavement, like in Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey!), you WILL slow down the first time you experience hydroplaning, and the "lightness" of the front end. If you ever experience this, DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKE. If you loose traction due to rain or snow, the car WILL continue in the straight line. If the road is straight too, you will not have a problem. Any input from you at this point, (steering. braking) is a recipe for a disaster. If you loose traction in the curve,......remember...the car WILL go straight!

Fortunately, the hydroplaning affects front wheels more than the rears (the fronts did remove some water before the rear got there!), and the natural reaction is to let off the gas as the car hits the water. This means that your car will grab to the pavement with the rear tires, and as the speed bleed off, the front will grip too. If you didn't do any steering or braking, and the vehicle still has all four wheels pointed in the same direction, you'll be OK.

All this happens in a fraction of the second, but this time can feel MUCH longer to the driver experiencing it for the first time.

Good luck.

wdc330i · #23 01-05-2009, 01:17 PM

Should one downshift?

y5choi · #24 01-05-2009, 04:29 PM

nah I don't think so, downshifting makes the wheel spin i believe. Just hit the shifter to NEUTRAL- it's there for a reason

JCL · #25 01-05-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5choi

nah I don't think so, downshifting makes the wheel spin i believe. Just hit the shifter to NEUTRAL!

I disagree. Never shift to neutral when the car is moving. As you regain control, you may have the option to drive out of the problem. If you are in neutral you have given up that option. Basic accident avoidance.

y5choi · #26 01-05-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

I disagree. Never shift to neutral when the car is moving. As you regain control, you may have the option to drive out of the problem. If you are in neutral you have given up that option. Basic accident avoidance.

so while skidding, you wouldn't hit it into neutral? so... just keep the wheel straight and no pedals.

JCL · #27 01-05-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5choi

so while skidding, you wouldn't hit it into neutral? so... just keep the wheel straight and no pedals.

Depends on the skid. On snow or ice, depending on speed, I would steer into the skid, modulate the throttle, and look for exit lane options. Aquaplaning, I wouldn't turn the steering wheel (because control will come back much more dramatically, upsetting the balance of the car if traction is regained while the wheels are turned). Let the car scrub off speed by itself, and control will return when the balance of water depth and behicle speed results in the tire regaining contact with the road.

motordavid · #28 01-05-2009, 06:04 PM

Jumping in again, to this long, ongoing thread...
We have driven through the arms of hurricanes, horrible driving
rain storms, etc., over the course of 7 1/2 years, in our X. We
have hauled azz up and down the interstates in our Vette for 6+
years. We have driven across "lakes" on the interstates: none
of it was fun, but never once, in either car, have I felt out of
control, sideways or death defying. Both cars have "wide" tires
which exacerbate the situ, but both have remarkable "wheel
control" computers, too. And, our old X is AWD and the newer
Xs are X-Drive for crying out loud. Steer firmly, easy on the
gas, etc. This is not hard stuff, imo.

All this hydroplaning paranoia is overblown, imo. No expert driver
and no fool either, but I don't quite get the jumping up and down
over a common situ, on highways, when it rains and ponds...