Aquaplaning.

[simongt]

On a very rainy journey back from St. Neot's today, We were crusing at a maximum of 60 because of the conditions, but most other cars were cruising past at 70 +.
My first and only experience of aquaplaning was in 1972 in my dad's Rover 2000 and it really scared me.
I obviously appreciate that car & tyre technology has improved vastly since then and many cars are now front wheel drive which put much of the weight over the drive wheels, but how much of a risk is aquaplaning now - ?
The RAC reckon that anything over 35 in wet conditions can increased the risk, so what is the general view of our illustrious members - ?

 

[midlife]

It’s usually visibility that slows me down on rainy motorways rather than me thinking about aquaplaning.

 

[presta]

I was doing about 70 on a dual carriageway in torrential rain once when the engine started to race as the rear wheels spun. Luckily it was a straight road with no immediate need to turn or brake, so I just gently lifted off the throttle and slowed down.

 

[Drago]

On a very rainy journey back from St. Neot's today, We were crusing at a maximum of 60 because of the conditions, but most other cars were cruising past at 70 +.
My first and only experience of aquaplaning was in 1972 in my dad's Rover 2000 and it really scared me.
I obviously appreciate that car & tyre technology has improved vastly since then and many cars are now front wheel drive which put much of the weight over the drive wheels, but how much of a risk is aquaplaning now - ?
The RAC reckon that anything over 35 in wet conditions can increased the risk, so what is the general view of our illustrious members - ?

The risk is real...

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39325816/driver-jailed-killing-doctor-motorway/

You are wise to be cautious.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I was doing about 70 on a dual carriageway in torrential rain once when the engine started to race as the rear wheels spun. Luckily it was a straight road with no immediate need to turn or brake, so I just gently lifted off the throttle and slowed down.

I had that a few years ago (pre-Covid) , in my Octavia estate, en-route to Ringways Airport
Myself driving, 4 passengers & luggage

The front tyres were around the 3mm mark, & at about 50-55MPH, there was enough standing water to create that 'lift' effect & hear the engine note rise/see tachometer climb

Since then, I've changed tyres at 3mm, during the remainder of the Octavias time with me, & on the replacement Kodiaq
(next time, I think something a bit more 'aggresive' will be fitted?)

 

[presta]

It makes you wonder how long it had been aquaplaning before the wheels started to spin. I wasn't going to find out unless I'd had to brake or swerve.

 

[stephec]

I've only done it once, on the section of the M6 north of Kendal where the carriageways are at different levels.

Happily prancing along when the steering went completely light, as if there was diesel on the road, it only lasted for a few seconds but I absolutely bricked it.

 

[raleighnut]

I don't have a TV Car

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Tyre tread can only shift so much water, and car tyres are the same shape as always. If anything the trend for wider tyres has made aquaplaning more probable. No electronic aid will help once a car is surfing on the water.

 

[gbb]

In essence the risk is as real as it ever was..if the tyre cannot push the water away quick enough, you risk aquaplaning. So a good set of tyres will greatly reduce the risk, a well worn set the opposite (but im stating the obvious, forgive me)