Hydroplaning
06-19-2004, 11:33 PM
#31
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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Sorry bout your misfortune. I took my S for a spin last October with about 2,000 miles on her. I ran on Point Reyes Blvd with no problems. I liked the balance of the car in the rain, just a matter of keeping the speed under control.
Then, when I was finished with Point Reyes Blvd, I decided to go for a spin on Hwy 101. I was 4-5 miles south of San Rafael doing 65 mph when I was approached by another car. The car kept getting closer so I sped up to 70 mph. At this point we were both cruising steadily at 70 mph. At this point it is starting to rain pretty hard, and the water is starting to stand. I am halfway up a semi steep hill then all of a sudden.....my S is fishtailing BIG TIME!!! I made about 4-5 precise corrections with the steering wheel and escaped relatively unscathed.
Daaaaayaaaaam
My car only had 2,000 miles on it at the time and didn't figure this would happen. I have been in many situations like this with other cars throughout the years and was lucky I didn't hit the concrete barrier.
The S02's are not the best wet weather tire available for the S. I realize there are a lot of variables such as the design of the car, the drivers ability, how many miles are on the tires, are they inflated properly ect.
I have seen other types of cars as well as trucks do 70-90 mph in standing water with no problems. Then again, a lot of cars have to slow WAY down when the water starts to stand.
I think the design of the car followed by the type of tires and the condition of the tires would dictate how well a car will perform in the rain. Aside from these factors, that leaves the driver.
Then, when I was finished with Point Reyes Blvd, I decided to go for a spin on Hwy 101. I was 4-5 miles south of San Rafael doing 65 mph when I was approached by another car. The car kept getting closer so I sped up to 70 mph. At this point we were both cruising steadily at 70 mph. At this point it is starting to rain pretty hard, and the water is starting to stand. I am halfway up a semi steep hill then all of a sudden.....my S is fishtailing BIG TIME!!! I made about 4-5 precise corrections with the steering wheel and escaped relatively unscathed.
Daaaaayaaaaam
My car only had 2,000 miles on it at the time and didn't figure this would happen. I have been in many situations like this with other cars throughout the years and was lucky I didn't hit the concrete barrier.The S02's are not the best wet weather tire available for the S. I realize there are a lot of variables such as the design of the car, the drivers ability, how many miles are on the tires, are they inflated properly ect.
I have seen other types of cars as well as trucks do 70-90 mph in standing water with no problems. Then again, a lot of cars have to slow WAY down when the water starts to stand.
I think the design of the car followed by the type of tires and the condition of the tires would dictate how well a car will perform in the rain. Aside from these factors, that leaves the driver.
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