PSA - hydroplaning sucks

[spidey07]

There was a very heavy downpour on a highway so we slowed down to 40-45 and put the hazard lights on. It eventually cleared and I and everybody started to get back up to 60-70 with clear skies.

That didn't mean there wasn't still a crap load of standing water in places on the road. The first indication was when I extremely barely touched my brakes and the anti-lock went off - crap, I had almost no traction. So just let off the gas, skiing the whole way until I was under 45 then moved on over very slowly.

So just because it's sunny doesn't mean the roads are fine and even with good/new tires you can still hydroplane at 50-55 Mph. Stay safe.

 

[dabuddha]

Topic Title: PSA - hydropaning sucks
Topic Summary: just slow down

You mean hydroplaning?

And you should be careful about going fast when it's just rained after a dry spell.

 

[phreaqe]

i live in WI so i get to drive in some really crappy weather. it amazes me how often people could take the advice of "Just slow down". i routinely as a younger driver would go into parking lots during the winter and do donuts or powerslides, mostly because it was fun, but also because it helped me understand the limits of my car and made me a much safer driver. i know how fast can drive in certain conditions, and most likely i go even slower still just to be safe.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
Topic Title: PSA - hydropaning sucks
Topic Summary: just slow down

You mean hydroplaning?

And you should be careful about going fast when it's just rained after a dry spell.

yep, oils everywhere!

after a lot of rain when it's been common, traction is a lot better, but still... water and tires don't mix excellent at high speeds.

I hate driving in slick conditions in my RWD Dakota. Even in the winter months when I have 300lbs of sand in the back, I can misjudge the added traction in the rain and lose traction. It helps versus no weight when its only rain, but snow is a nightmare. I hate driving in snow, at least if I have to go fast. At slow speeds I have pretty good control. Driving to school after winter break on the highway, we were going 35mph maybe... some people were passing us (my dad was in front with some gear I took home with me), and I couldn't believe they had traction. Then again, I did see probably every mile or two another car in the ditch on either side of the highway. The Gauntlet as we referred to it as. Even at those lower speeds, I still managed to fish tail 3 times. Don't know how I didn't have a heart attack, but thankfully regained control each time. It's terrifying attempting to regain control without oversteering when the whole time you never have any traction in your wheels with power.