Driving a manual in torrential rain

[KentState]

Glad I'm not in SoCal with all you "afraid" of rain idiot drivers I just get to deal with them in Atlanta.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Glad I'm not in SoCal with all you "afraid" of rain idiot drivers I just get to deal with them in Atlanta.

I think part of the problem is that we have no annual safety inspection for cars here so people drive around oblivious to the fact that their tires may be worn down to almost slicks and then when it rains they are shocked by how difficult it is to drive their car or how easily it spins out of control.

I replaced my tires a couple months ago because I knew the rainy season was coming and they were down to the wear bars on two tires. I check these things often so that I don't get caught out in bad weather in a car that isn't safe. I don't think most people give these things much thought.

 

[hanoverphist]

It should be interesting here, I'm in AZ and that storm is coming here next. They're predicting that this series of storms this week will drop 50% to 75% of our normal yearly rainfall.

az here too, and we are already soaked through. is kind of fun tho, i like it. i dont think ive ever had any issue with driving my manual truck in deep water/ heavy rain tho, even when im trying to mess around and hitting every large puddle i can find. remember tho, hitting puddles a lot means wet brakes, which really makes for interesting stop n go traffic. be careful.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I just went to lunch and it was pouring. The streets are rivers with deep standing water everywhere.

 

[angry hampster]

I'd love to see Southern Californians go north in the winter and drive on snow.

People are actually worried about driving in the rain? I understand that it's a LOT of rain, but don't try to ford the river and your oxen will be fine.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I'd love to see Southern Californians go north in the winter and drive on snow.

People are actually worried about driving in the rain? I understand that it's a LOT of rain, but don't try to ford the river and your oxen will be fine.

Just have to make sure they don't get dysentery and die.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd love to see Southern Californians go north in the winter and drive on snow.

People are actually worried about driving in the rain? I understand that it's a LOT of rain, but don't try to ford the river and your oxen will be fine.

I grew up and learned to drive in upstate NY. I can drive in the snow.

 

[Zap]

I'd love to see Southern Californians go north in the winter and drive on snow.

I lived in SoCal most of my life, and now live in Wisconsin. Does that count? ^_^

 

[kornphlake]

When it rains in So Cal it pours, 2" in the last week and 1.5" in the last 30 minutes is often the case. If you get caught when it's really dumping just slow down. The weight of your vehicle will keep the tires planted no matter how little tread you have unless you're driving too fast. Hydroplaning is directly related to speed, it's not like slipping on ice that can happen at any speed or even stopped, you'll only hydroplane if you're going fast enough.

You won't hydroplane pulling away from a stop sign, you may slip a little bit but you're not going to crash because of it unless you stomp on the gas pedal and steer straight into a tree. It's no different than if you were doing a burnout on dry pavement, if you start to loose control stop the spinning by letting off the throttle.

 

[angry hampster]

I grew up and learned to drive in upstate NY. I can drive in the snow.

No, because you are a penis.

 

[Kromis]

Drive slow, homie.

 

[spidey07]

Believe it or not but I subconsciously drive in a lower gear in rain like that. Same with heavy snow. I feel like I have more control over my tires.

I'm not talking super revving it but being in one gear lower than where you would normally be for your speed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

No, because you have a penis.

Fixed.

Although, I'm not sure what that has to do with anything being discussed in this thread.

 

[CraigRT]

So apparently its not just common sense?

Just feel it out, go drive, try a few dumb things in a parking lot.. learn the car's handling characteristics instead of having ppl tell ya things over the interweb.

And yes, NOT BALD tires are recommended for rain.

For dry road, does not matter.

 

[TehMac]

My tires are bald and I go driving through the rain @ 60 mph in a 25 zone.


Becuz im coo liek dat