When its wet and accelerating, why do the tires skid?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Ok, I realize at first glance it looks a little obvious, its wet and tires skid, but read on. First, its related to me driving the 91 Accord I'll be driving once I get my license. Anyway, why is it that at stop signs after rain and roads are still wet, that the tires skid a little? Its a 4 cylinder and I'm not flooring it or anything either. This happened a couple of times and my dad told me to just ignore it.

These are the standard size wheels that came w ith it so they might not provide much friction. We also have a Volvo station wagon and a Lexus ES300, of which neither do this. It was the first time I was seeing skidding from rain at acceleration in a car. Is it because of the weight difference, tire size, etc? All are FWD btw.

 

[MaxDepth]

hydroplane, baby! same thing applies to your slip and slide.

Informative link

 

[FrustratedUser]

There is something called friction. It decreases when it's wet.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Weight, gearing, traction control. Not in that order. If the Volvo is new enough to have FWD, then it most likely has traction control, and the Lexus probably does too. The Accord definitely does not.

ZV

 

[WinkOsmosis]

You must be really really stupid to not know why wet tires skid.

 

[BatmanNate]

If it does it while you're turning, that's pretty common on FWD cars. Also, if it hasn't rained for a long while the road will be more slippery due to an excess of oil and other buildup on the roads.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
You must be really really stupid to not know why wet tires skid.

I realize that. The volvo has a switch for traction control and in similar situations with it off, it does not skid, I haven't ever seen it skid.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
You must be really really stupid to not know why wet tires skid.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
If it does it while you're turning, that's pretty common on FWD cars. Also, if it hasn't rained for a long while the road will be more slippery due to an excess of oil and other buildup on the roads.

Thanks. You too Zenmervolt.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
You must be really really stupid to not know why wet tires skid.

Hey, it doesn't skid on our volvo with traction control off. I think tire size on both is same.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
The volvo has a switch for traction control and in similar situations with it off, it does not skid, I haven't ever seen it skid.

Then we'd need to know tire sizes, brands, and models, along with the engines' torque curves, the overall gear ratio for first gear, the total weight of each car, the distribution of that weight, and the suspension design.

Wider tires are worse in the rain. They have to displace more water than thinner tires so they hydroplane more easily.

ZV

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
The volvo has a switch for traction control and in similar situations with it off, it does not skid, I haven't ever seen it skid.

Then we'd need to know tire sizes, brands, and models, along with the engines' torque curves, the overall gear ratio for first gear, the total weight of each car, the distribution of that weight, and the suspension design.

Wider tires are worse in the rain. They have to displace more water than thinner tires so they hydroplane more easily.

ZV

Ok, thanks. I wouldn't be interested in getting all the information since I don't have it at hand, hehe. I get the idea though.

 

[Bassyhead]

When water gets between the tire and the surface of the road and lowers friction, the frictional force that exists between the two surfaces becomes lower than the force required to cause the tire to rotate and so you skid.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Your Volvo, assuming it has an automatic transmission, probably has 2nd gear as the lowest gear for stops.

 

[IBuyUFO]

maybe your tires are bald?

 

[NokiaDude]

Light car = easy to slip the tires.

 

[virtuamike]

Your dad is dumb to tell you to ignore tire skid. Just be gentle on the gas and brake, don't want to lose control of the car. Last thing you want to do is gun it after a stop sign and plow right into a pole.

 

[PlatinumGold]

honda's gear 1st gear really really high. especially the older hondas.

 

[db]

the water changes the coefficient of friction.....aw, nevermind.

 

[thomsbrain]

the 91 accord has a pretty short first gear and the initial throttle response is very jerky, at least compared to a volvo or lexus. also, the accord is much lighter than any volvo or lexus, especially in the front end, where its smaller engine makes things even lighter. there's not as much keeping those drive wheels stuck to the ground. so you're combining less traction with a big (for a accord) surge of power, and they slip.

but any car, if you try to accelerate hard, is going to slip in the wet. same goes for braking. so be careful, for christ sake. when it's wet, you need a lighter touch on all the controls, and you need to do a better job anticipating braking and things. if you are sliding, it's your own fault and you need to adjust how you're driving.

 

[Cooljt1]

yeah, no traction is soo fun. i can floor it while going 40mph and lose traction when the roads are wet

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Ok, I realize at first glance it looks a little obvious, its wet and tires skid, but read on. First, its related to me driving the 91 Accord I'll be driving once I get my license. Anyway, why is it that at stop signs after rain and roads are still wet, that the tires skid a little? Its a 4 cylinder and I'm not flooring it or anything either. This happened a couple of times and my dad told me to just ignore it.

These are the standard size wheels that came w ith it so they might not provide much friction. We also have a Volvo station wagon and a Lexus ES300, of which neither do this. It was the first time I was seeing skidding from rain at acceleration in a car. Is it because of the weight difference, tire size, etc? All are FWD btw.

because theres less friction and hence, less traction. And if you have worn out tires (or just crappy tires) they may not grip as well as better tires.

This is Gr 12 Physics.

Also fun tire fact: You know those channels they have onthe tire? They are made to suck the water thru the channel, effectively removing the water from teh road so the tire can grip it. That's why on the performance summer tires (that are good in rain), you'll see these sweeping grooves that go towards the main channel. It guides the water from the sides into the center channel to swoop them out.

Pretty neat stuff.