Hydroplaning

[Bucko]

At the risk of stating the obvious, there are 3 main factors that contribute to hydroplaning:

1) Speed
2) Tread -- both design and depth
3) Depth of water

Edit to add 2 other factors:

4) Tire width
5) Amount of weight on the tire

Drivers have control over 1 and 2.

Number 3 can be tricky. Some roads are perfectly smooth and graded properly. Here in MD they've experimented with a top layer of asphalt that is porous -- even heavy rain flows through to the standard/solid asphalt underneath and drains off onto the shoulder. It's pretty impressive. On that surface there is rarely any concern about hydroplaning.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are roads that are rutted and have poor drainage. It might be sprinkling, or no longer raining, but the ruts and low points may be filled with water.

Number 2 can vary a lot. Some tires resist hydroplaning very well, while others do not. That's a quality that CR tests and rates. I give a lot of weight to hydroplaning resistance and always buy tires that are rated 'very good' or 'excellent'.

Bottom line -- drivers have to know the capability of their tires and be familiar with the road.

In Florida, you could add another factor:

6) Time between dry road and first heavy rain.

During summer, we can go weeks before we get a good rain, then it slams us. The roads get a coating of oils during the drought, then that first blast of rain lift it, making the roads slick. The idiots who drive like they are late fir their funeral go about and hydroplane, causing large wreck pile ups.

Sponsored

 

[sajohnson]

In Florida, you could add another factor:

6) Time between dry road and first heavy rain.

During summer, we can go weeks before we get a good rain, then it slams us. The roads get a coating of oils during the drought, then that first blast of rain lift it, making the roads slick. The idiots who drive like they are late fir their funeral go about and hydroplane, causing large wreck pile ups.

I know exactly what you are referring to. One great example here in Maryland is Rockville Pike (Wisconsin Ave. in D.C.). There are plenty of stretches that are long enough between lights that drivers get up to 50-60 mph. However where cars sit at red lights there can be a lot of oil -- especially if it has been a while since the last rain. It did not take much rain for the pavement approaching intersections to get as slick as ice (literally).

I worked near the 'Pike', and every time it rained we'd hear the sirens from cops and emergency vehicles responding to the accidents.

However, that is not hydroplaning. Just a sprinkle of rain will do it. Speed is not a factor in the loss of traction (as it is in hydroplaning).

That said, there might also be hydroplaning involved, if there is a downpour, and a significant amount of water on the road.

 

[BigBadWolf]

I just slow down.

 

[BravoAlpha]

as stated previously in so many post. There’s a lot of good info here but some don’t get it.

There’s different types of hydroplaning. The factors are many. Slow down. The BS hydroplaning speed is going to be @60 mph …as with most vehicles

-the rate of rain fall, crest or angle of the surface for drainage, oil and rubber on the road and driver techniques contribute way more to hydroplaning than weight of the vehicle & tire styles

-tire commercials and fancy tread patterns will give you a false sense of security.

BELOW the hydroplaning speed a tire with good wet traction has advantage ABOVE the hydroplaning speed- all bets are off

Sponsored