2023 Bronco Sport - hydroplaning on wet highway at 60 mph

[Marcnmarilynj]

I've had my Bronco Sport almost a month and love it, however we had a light rain for the first time in 3-4 months and I found the rear end would begin to slide
out of my lane if I attempted to drive over 45-50 mph (even using lane assist). I was not stomping on the gas through curves, I'm talking normal cautious driving
going straight in light rain.

I tired the AWD mode and several others hoping it would help but with no luck. I'm wondering if there is a specific G.O.A.T mode the car has to be in when driving on on wet (Not standing water) roads?
This seems very disappointing for AWD vehicle...has anyone else experienced this?

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[roboto65]

How long had it been raining with no rain for that long there is a lot of oil on the road and they will be very slick till they get washed down for a bit. Mine has been rock steady in the rain. Hydroplaning is no joke so regardless be careful which I am sure you were.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

How long had it been raining with no rain for that long there is a lot of oil on the road and they will be very slick till they get washed down for a bit. Mine has been rock steady in the rain. Hydroplaning is no joke so regardless be careful which I am sure you were.

Thank you! Yes no rain here in 3 months maybe more. Good point!

 

[MoFoCo]

@roboto65 is correct. Also, you can hydroplane at 45 MPH.

 

[Martinjv71]

@roboto65 is correct. Also, you can hydroplane at 45 MPH.

Not with that weight unless you have bald tire.......

 

[Cursed Bronco]

I'm sure someone will eventually chime in, but I think there's a formula to calculate hydroplane speed. Something like 10.2 x root(Tire Pressure). It's a lot easier to theoretically hydroplane then I used to think it was.

Edit: It's 10.2 x Sq Rt of Tire Pressure

 

[rocks]

No problem here at 70-75 MPH but only 1700 miles on the tires.

 

[MoFoCo]

I'm sure someone will eventually chime in, but I think there's a formula to calculate hydroplane speed. Something like 10.2 x root(Tire Pressure). It's a lot easier to theoretically hydroplane then I used to think it was.

Edit: It's 10.2 x Sq Rt of Tire Pressure

So about 60 MPH...

Or 45 MPH with underinflated tires.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

So about 60 MPH...

Or 45 MPH with underinflated tires.

Yes and under the right road conditions. Real world is a bit harder to calculate. I would assume that is also standing water because I've been 70-75 in the rain with no issue

 

[BroncoUSA]

I've had my Bronco Sport almost a month and love it, however we had a light rain for the first time in 3-4 months and I found the rear end would begin to slide
out of my lane if I attempted to drive over 45-50 mph (even using lane assist). I was not stomping on the gas through curves, I'm talking normal cautious driving
going straight in light rain.

I tired the AWD mode and several others hoping it would help but with no luck. I'm wondering if there is a specific G.O.A.T mode the car has to be in when driving on on wet (Not standing water) roads?
This seems very disappointing for AWD vehicle...has anyone else experienced this?

So about 60 MPH...

Or 45 MPH with underinflated tires.

I’ll bet yours came with Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires.
I’ve read other comments on hydroplaning with these tires, in a tire post I made last week.
My 23 Badlands came with these Pirelli’s and I’m not keeping them on through the winter. Looking at the tread design, I don’t expect to get many miles out of them either.
It seems Ford could have made a better choice of tires.

 

[Bamsi]

I had experienced hydroplanning with my Pirellis at any speed above 45mph, not the best tires for wet conditions. Looking forward for swapping them. Thinking on Geolager g105 or Cooper. Are Sumitomo any good?

 

[TRWXXA]

I'm sure someone will eventually chime in, but I think there's a formula to calculate hydroplane speed. Something like 10.2 x root(Tire Pressure). It's a lot easier to theoretically hydroplane then I used to think it was.

Edit: It's 10.2 x Sq Rt of Tire Pressure

I was taught 10.35 times the square root of the tire pressure, but we're talking about fractions of a mph either way.
Simplistically, this is the speed where the standing water can't get out of the way fast enough, so the tires start to ride up on top of it. Lower tire pressure means the weight of the vehicle makes a larger contact patch, and more water would have to get out of the way to prevent hydroplaning.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

I was taught 10.35 times the square root of the tire pressure, but we're talking about fractions of a mph either way.
Simplistically, this is the speed where the standing water can't get out of the way fast enough, so the tires start to ride up on top of it. Lower tire pressure means the weight of the vehicle makes a larger contact patch, and more water would have to get out of the way to prevent hydroplaning.

I should have used “ fish tailing” maybe not hydroplaning. I did look at my Toyo tires today and can feel the inside of the driver’s side tires are wearing more than the outside edge but the passenger side tires are wearing evenly. I’m wondering about the cambor - I had an issue with that on a Lexus once,,,,

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

I’ll bet yours came with Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires.
I’ve read other comments on hydroplaning with these tires, in a tire post I made last week.
My 23 Badlands came with these Pirelli’s and I’m not keeping them on through the winter. Looking at the tread design, I don’t expect to get many miles out of them either.
It seems Ford could have made a better choice of tires.

Mine had new Toyo tires, I purchased the vehicle with 7,000 miles on it, I’ve put less than 1,000 in a month.
Noticed today the inside of the drivers side tires are wearing ( smoother edge) than the outside of the tires but the passenger side tires seem to be wearing evenly. I’m wondering if the cambor (?) is out? Would that cause the “fish tail” effect on wet roads - not puddles just wet interstate driving.

 

[Bubby21]

I have the Badlands edition and Falken tires. My car has never slid, no fishtailing or hydroplaning in the rain. Recently, the rain was coming down in sheets and I didn't even want to drive but had an appointment to get to that I couldn't cancel. I got on the highway and was able to drive at a normal speed. I was impressed! Bring on the snow!

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