2023 Bronco Sport - hydroplaning on wet highway at 60 mph

[sajohnson]

People driving identical vehicles with the same tires can have widely varying experiences -- as evidenced by the posts in this thread.

One driver's "great rain tire" is another's crazy dangerous tire -- on the same vehicle, same tread depth.

That said, people typically do not measure and report tread depth, and needless to say, that is o major factor. Others are:

* Speed
* Tire pressure
* Load
* Water depth

Water depth can vary a LOT. Here in Maryland we have some stretches of interstate that are: correctly graded; have no ruts; and have a top layer of asphalt that is porous -- the rain seeps through to the layer underneath and runs out onto the shoulder. That is about as good as it gets. There's usually no need to slow down unless it's really pouring.

The other extreme is a highway that's not graded well and has deep ruts that hold water. That can cause any vehicle to hydroplane, even at relatively slow speeds.

The best way I know of to find tires that resist hydroplaning well is to check CR. There are other sources of info, but they may not be entirely objective (tire retailers, car magazines).

Before buying our BL, I checked the CR ratings of the tires. I think I posted a screen shot of that here on another thread. Both the stock and optional tires were OK, but I can't recall the various ratings -- like "anti-hydroplaning" -- now. I think they were both 4/5, or "very good." IOW, there are better choices, but I didn't feel like I needed to immediately replace them (which I did with my 2002 WRX).

Sponsored

 

[Escape2Bronco]

The optional Falkens at least so far with 10k miles are outstanding in the rain and snow IMHO. I’ve been very impressed and I’ve put many of miles on over the years with many different vehicles. We seem to go from no rain for weeks to a weeks worth in one day lately so it seems worse. I’ve been driving motorcycles for over 50 years and you learn to avoid the center area where cars normally don’t drive as there can be oil there that becomes slick when it rains especially after a long dry spell.

As others have stated, have your alignment checked if you have wear patterns that are not normal.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

Are your tires all inflated properly? Last month I drove from SW CO to OK about half of it in rain and never experienced any slip. Mostly around 70 mph. Tires are 245/65/17 AT3's. From other's comments it may be the tires. You weren't hydroplaning. I dunno, but seems others aren't having problems like this.

Yes, tires are properly inflated. It rained again yesterday (not much but roads were wet) so I took it by the dealership. The service manager and the head mechanic both drove it and are baffled as well. thinking it may be out of alignment or the cambor (?) so I will take it in next Tuesday for them to figure it out. The tires on the driver's side are wearing on the inside edge of the tire but not on the passenger's side - those tires are not wearing at all. The strangest thing is, it drives great on dry roads at any speed, it's only when the roads are wet (not puddles, no standing water), and yes, for others on this string, when it begins to "sway" you do not excelerate or you would hydroplane!

 

[Tigger]

Yes, tires are properly inflated. It rained again yesterday (not much but roads were wet) so I took it by the dealership. The service manager and the head mechanic both drove it and are baffled as well. thinking it may be out of alignment or the cambor (?) so I will take it in next Tuesday for them to figure it out.

I’m glad you are taking it in and I hope they find the problem. Likewise, thanks for updating here and helping others in a potentially dangerous situation. You’re doing the forum justice!

 

[KidWiff]

Maybe a silly question but…. I’ll ask. Are they unidirectional tires mounted in the wrong direction? That will definitely cause hydroplaning.

 

[KidWiff]

The hydroplaning begins when the speed over the water doesn't allow the tread to fill with water and evacuate. If that gives you some mental picture. Just my opinion, but I don't think there is anything causal with uni-directional tires ........... never the less, you might be on to something. The Toyo Proxies WORK, pictured above and aren't to costly and have no hydroplaning at legal speeds. That has been my experiance anyway

Agreed with the cause of the hydroplang and find it unusual for it to be experienced at low(er) speeds (40/45) unless hitting a deeper puddle at those speeds. On just a wet road, during average rainfall, not so much. I’m very interested in learning what the cause and eventual solution will be.

For 2 other drivers to experience the same issues, when they wouldn’t normally expect it, makes this even more interesting. Hope the OP gets this resolved quickly and efficiently.

 

[Marcnmarilynj]

Maybe a silly question but…. I’ll ask. Are they unidirectional tires mounted in the wrong direction? That will definitely cause hydroplaning.

Great question! I’m not sure but will find out, thank you!

 

[cprcubed]

Just for another data point, I haven't had any hydroplaning issues with my BS running 235/65-17 Michelin CrossClimate SUV tires in 13k miles. They are unidirectional as well. Cheers!

 

[hellb0y]

Just for another data point, I haven't had any hydroplaning issues with my BS running 235/65-17 Michelin CrossClimate SUV tires in 13k miles. They are unidirectional as well. Cheers!

You basically have the best tire one can buy for all weather!! Great choice right there.

 

[RSH]

Assuming your tires are decent and not overly worn, if you are hydroplaning you are driving your BS to fast for the current conditions.

 

[CLR]

FYI, it is “camber”. Here is a description of camber, caster, and toe as they relate to alignment.
https://www.lesschwab.com/article/alignment/understanding-camber-caster-and-toe.html

 

[sajohnson]

FWIW -- here are some tires that are rated 5/5 (Excellent) for anti-hydroplaning, based on CR's objective testing. See their test method here:


These are all "excellent" at anti-hydroplaning and at least "very good" at wet & dry braking and handling. Whether any of them belong on a BS is another question:

BFGoodrich Advantage Control All Season
Michelin CrossClimate2 (we have these on our '97 RAV4 -- great tires)
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 plus
Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate
Michelin Pilot Sport 4s
Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02
General G-Max RS

Those may not come in the correct size, and if any of them do, they may not be right for a BS -- I just looked through CR's list of 135 tested tires out of curiosity. There were several others that were rated excellent for anti-hydroplaning, but they were only rated "good" or lower at wet & dry braking and handling.

Here are the test results for the CrossClimate:

There is (or was) a "CrossClimate SUV" version of this tire. The ratings may be slightly different.

 

[ltelmo]

I put a set of Bridgestone Weatherpeaks on my 21 Outerbanks and it is rock solid in wet roads or rain.

 

[hellb0y]

looking forward to an update...

 

[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?

Update - today, Oct 17, 2023, the service department says they did a front end alignment but cannot fix the castor or cambor because of the lift kit on the vehicle!

I spoke to a sales manager and after a lengthy conversation, he said they will remove the lift kit ( I did not know was on the car) and replace the tires, he did not say anything about the cambor.

Since I bought it as a certified gold vehicle (7,300 miles) from the Ford Dealer and was not provided with information about the after market lift kit
Is it even possible for the vehicle to be like it was before the lift kit?!

Sponsored