Hydroplaning in a RWD/ISF
#1
Hydroplaning in a RWD/ISF
So two nights ago we had a thunderstorm pop up and blast the roads on my drive home. Got the super heavy blinding rain with all the fun, hail in some places. Those of you familiar with the DMV area, this was on 495 in MD. So MD is really bad at keeping the lines visible on highways, and keeping the roads well lit. Hit a stretch of standing water and immediately hydroplaned. Nothing went wrong, but it made me curious.
Is there any difference in handling hydroplane in a RWD vs a FWD? Besides the old farm truck, this is the only RWD car I've driven. And is there anything to keep in mind about the ISF in particular with nasty weather like that?
Is there any difference in handling hydroplane in a RWD vs a FWD? Besides the old farm truck, this is the only RWD car I've driven. And is there anything to keep in mind about the ISF in particular with nasty weather like that?
#3
Hydroplaning is hydroplaning.... no matter if it is FWD, RWD or AWD. I found that the best way to get yourself out of it (in any car) is to let off the gas, keep the wheel straight and try not to apply the brakes until you get traction. Most people who end up spinning out of control during hydroplaning is because they immediately hit the brakes.
#4
Hydroplaning is hydroplaning.... no matter if it is FWD, RWD or AWD. I found that the best way to get yourself out of it (in any car) is to let off the gas, keep the wheel straight and try not to apply the brakes until you get traction. Most people who end up spinning out of control during hydroplaning is because they immediately hit the brakes.
-Josh
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Orange County, CA
Email: info@merakiautoworks.com
Text/Call: 213 394 2886
Website: www.MerakiAutoworks.com
#5
Pole Position
Hydroplaning is hydroplaning.... no matter if it is FWD, RWD or AWD. I found that the best way to get yourself out of it (in any car) is to let off the gas, keep the wheel straight and try not to apply the brakes until you get traction. Most people who end up spinning out of control during hydroplaning is because they immediately hit the brakes.
AND also, if you have no choice the tires with the most tread should be on the rear, for both RWD and FWD in regards to hydroplaning.
#7
Racer
iTrader: (2)
Yes, there is tons to be aware of when driving a RWD car vs a FWD car....I would take a look around google, there is tons of information on understeering, weight transfer, etc.
First things first: 1) Get new tires on your car. 2) Slow down in the rain. When it rains on the highway, I get into the right most lanes and do the speed limit.
First things first: 1) Get new tires on your car. 2) Slow down in the rain. When it rains on the highway, I get into the right most lanes and do the speed limit.
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#9
Yes, there is tons to be aware of when driving a RWD car vs a FWD car....I would take a look around google, there is tons of information on understeering, weight transfer, etc.
First things first: 1) Get new tires on your car. 2) Slow down in the rain. When it rains on the highway, I get into the right most lanes and do the speed limit.
First things first: 1) Get new tires on your car. 2) Slow down in the rain. When it rains on the highway, I get into the right most lanes and do the speed limit.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Fast forward to my first such rainstorm with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.. Wow, what a difference!!! They're fantastic in the rain.. Even at the track, I've been able to have some fun on a wet circuit with confidence.. For a versatile, all around tire, I highly recommend them.
BTW, I got caught in a ridiculously heavy rainstorm Monday afternoon. At times, it seemed like the entire road was several inches of standing water.. However, at reasonable speeds commensurate to the conditions, I was completely confident in the car's handling.
-Mike
Last edited by mikersoft; 07-21-16 at 03:50 PM.
#13
Are you still on OEM Bridgestones? If so, I know the feeling.. A couple years ago, I was driving on the Ohio turnpike during a complete deluge with the original OEM tires.. I could feel the car hydroplaning at anything over 50mph, and was white knuckle driving in the right lane with big trucks & AWD SUVs buzzing by on the left... The car really felt dangerous..
Fast forward to my first such rainstorm with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.. Wow, what a difference!!! They're fantastic in the rain.. Even at the track, I've been able to have some fun on a wet circuit with confidence.. For a versatile, all around tire, I highly recommend them.
BTW, I got caught in a ridiculously heavy rainstorm Monday afternoon. At times, it seemed like the entire road was several inches of standing water.. However, at reasonable speeds commensurate to the conditions, I was completely confident in the car's handling.
-Mike
Fast forward to my first such rainstorm with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.. Wow, what a difference!!! They're fantastic in the rain.. Even at the track, I've been able to have some fun on a wet circuit with confidence.. For a versatile, all around tire, I highly recommend them.
BTW, I got caught in a ridiculously heavy rainstorm Monday afternoon. At times, it seemed like the entire road was several inches of standing water.. However, at reasonable speeds commensurate to the conditions, I was completely confident in the car's handling.
-Mike
#14
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
Shortly after buying the F last summer, I was rolling along a B road in SW Washington where lots of weather comes in off the Pacific. I ran into one of those deluges that the wipers can't keep up with even on their quickest setting. There were no exits and not enough shoulder to pull onto safely, so I slowed down to about 40 and slogged on with white knuckles.
It was the first time I had ever driven the F in the rain. Thankfully, there were fresh Bridgestone all seasons on the car (from the previous owner), and I experienced no hydroplaning whatsoever.
It was the first time I had ever driven the F in the rain. Thankfully, there were fresh Bridgestone all seasons on the car (from the previous owner), and I experienced no hydroplaning whatsoever.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
to counter hydroplaning , get better tires and slow the hell down in the rain. LOL AWD RWD, and FWD will all hydroplane. AWD might recover better though