Skid ? hydroplane?

[angel]

I drove an 07 523i with bridgestone RFT on stock rims. Thread approx 50 ~ 70 % left. Was travelling at about 90 to 100km/h, it started pouring heavily. My car hydroplane and I lost control. Hit side railings and steering airbag activated.

What went wrong? I'm still unsure. Some of my friends suggest that the tire could not cope with the large amount of sudden downpour.

Before my car skidded, i did notice a flashing light near the cigarrette tray (the other one beside PDC)


I lose confident with the tire. Anyone had bad experience on the same tire? My previous Goodyear F1 was superb.

Gotta claim my insurance and repair is taking me 3 weeks. NTUC assigned a quality workshop in AMK Autopoint at Ind Park 2A. Will I be replaced with new parts or repaired?

I'm just lucky unhurt...

 

[C3P0]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

angel, glad u are unhurt.
In my opinion it is not dependent on the downpour (light or heavy) at that moment as that is something that affects visibility, but rather the water puddle u are driving through (i.e. even if rain has stop, but got big deep water puddle car still can hydro).. How deep was it? If it's a very big long deep pool of water, at that speed, good tyres also can hydro. Either drive slower or avoid first lane on highway.
Not sure about Bridgestone but there are some good non RFT that handles better in the wet. If water puddle is not so big and deep that is. Good luck in ur search and Merry Christmas.

 

[totoseow]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

any tires also can hydro. law of physics. u were merely going too fast for that puddle. how often do u check ur pressure etc? when buying tires go for the best. they r the only things between u n the ground.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

I drove an 07 523i with bridgestone RFT on stock rims. Thread approx 50 ~ 70 % left. Was travelling at about 90 to 100km/h, it started pouring heavily. My car hydroplane and I lost control. Hit side railings and steering airbag activated.

What went wrong? I'm still unsure. Some of my friends suggest that the tire could not cope with the large amount of sudden downpour.

Before my car skidded, i did notice a flashing light near the cigarrette tray (the other one beside PDC)


I lose confident with the tire. Anyone had bad experience on the same tire? My previous Goodyear F1 was superb.

Gotta claim my insurance and repair is taking me 3 weeks. NTUC assigned a quality workshop in AMK Autopoint at Ind Park 2A. Will I be replaced with new parts or repaired?

I'm just lucky unhurt...

Try not to drive next to railings and walls in a down pour .......

 

[KITT]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Yo,

When is your last tires change?

 

[angel]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Just got the car abt 2 mth and tires came with it .. Now I'm wondering topic 1st owner neverchange tires before for 3 yrs cos mileage was only 41k when I bought car. Sh*t

 

[MapleLeaf]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

I am not at expert in tyres. But with 41K, tyre is not likely to be 50 - 70% left. I just changed my Bridgestone 050A RFT last week. Have no complaint about this tyre... but then, I have no comparisom with other RFT to base on. I hear some feedback BS is loud but i find it acceptabe. I was on CSC in previous ride. After one year, it roars.

I suspect, basically, your speed of 90 was too high under those circumstances.

 

[C3P0]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

So does the tire threads still have 50-70%?
Pls bring to tire shop to ascertain. Otherwise we say more also useless, because it may just simply be a case of near botak tyres that can skid in any kind of wet roads (don't even need to think of hydroplane).

PS I'm not familiar with e60 but the blinking lights u saw most probably is the DSC warning light telling u that u are losing traction.

 

[roberttan]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

car skid/hdoplane/aguaplane ? below are all the possibles i knew
poor tyre quailty,worn tyre,uneven tyre wearing,mixing of tye on same axle,ageing tyre.
base on your quote 50-70% left?did you inspect the all 4 complete full surface or just see from outer part?) always get your tyre expert to advice
defective suspension system /aborber spring/ wrong setup
alignment out /camber/toe/castor angle
Road conditon/slipery surface like sandy/oliy etc
Type of car especially after you switch from a FFWD to RRWDyr E60 is FRWD it take you sometime to learn the change of car stup, RRDmore prompt to oversteer(skid) so you need to get used to it
BUt i thing why your car DSC kicksit did not prevent your car from skidding?(ask BMW)
if you see your runflat tyre flat you should go after runflat tyre manufacturer
correct me if i am wrong , i was told the DSC has the limit up to 80km/h.
Lastly the driver ourselve,Power is nothing without CONTROL:nehnehhh:

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

I drove an 07 523i with bridgestone RFT on stock rims. Thread approx 50 ~ 70 % left. Was travelling at about 90 to 100km/h, it started pouring heavily. My car hydroplane and I lost control. Hit side railings and steering airbag activated.

What went wrong? I'm still unsure. Some of my friends suggest that the tire could not cope with the large amount of sudden downpour.

Before my car skidded, i did notice a flashing light near the cigarrette tray (the other one beside PDC)


I lose confident with the tire. Anyone had bad experience on the same tire? My previous Goodyear F1 was superb.

Gotta claim my insurance and repair is taking me 3 weeks. NTUC assigned a quality workshop in AMK Autopoint at Ind Park 2A. Will I be replaced with new parts or repaired?

I'm just lucky unhurt...

Agreed about the Goodyear F1 - went through one of the heaviest rain just now near Tuas and the F1s were splashing through the puddles without much issues at around 100 km/h.

I think you should change your tyres .............

 

[angel]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Thanx red bean bun. I think u provided better solution and clear my confidence...else i'll frive with phobia. Thanx all for the comments

 

[beamer001]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Rule of thumb for safe driving in wet conditions:

1. Make sure tyres have sufficient thread. How to determine? Check your tires regularly. There's a minimum thread mark on the tire itself. Make sure you have at least 2mm above the mark.

2. Make sure rain wipers rubbers are in good condition and wipers are servicable.

3. Actively scan the road 100-200m ahead, looking out for water puddles, especially the big patches. Small patches (less than 1/2 the size of your car) is no issue. For puddle size bigger than this, slow down to 80km/h or less. Don't be a hero. You will be surprised in dry condition you can safely drive at 200km/h or more, but in super wet condition and your car is light, you maybe limited down to 80km/h or less. Maintain straight on your steering control.

3. In heavy downpour, where visibility is poor, turn on hazard lights and all lights.

4. In extremely heavy downpour, stop at somewhere safe, wait until condition is better than continue. Better be late than sorry.

Just my 2 cents worth. DTC or not doesn't matter. DTC is the last resort the vehicle can use. You don't wanna get anywhere near that.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Rule of thumb for safe driving in wet conditions:

1. Make sure tyres have sufficient thread. How to determine? Check your tires regularly. There's a minimum thread mark on the tire itself. Make sure you have at least 2mm above the mark.

2. Make sure rain wipers rubbers are in good condition and wipers are servicable.

3. Actively scan the road 100-200m ahead, looking out for water puddles, especially the big patches. Small patches (less than 1/2 the size of your car) is no issue. For puddle size bigger than this, slow down to 80km/h or less. Don't be a hero. You will be surprised in dry condition you can safely drive at 200km/h or more, but in super wet condition and your car is light, you maybe limited down to 80km/h or less. Maintain straight on your steering control.

3. In heavy downpour, where visibility is poor, turn on hazard lights and all lights.

4. In extremely heavy downpour, stop at somewhere safe, wait until condition is better than continue. Better be late than sorry.

Just my 2 cents worth. DTC or not doesn't matter. DTC is the last resort the vehicle can use. You don't wanna get anywhere near that.

+1. And if you are on a road like Lornie Road - stay away from the walls.

 

[The Guardian]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

any tires also can hydro. law of physics. u were merely going too fast for that puddle. how often do u check ur pressure etc? when buying tires go for the best. they r the only things between u n the ground.

What would be the best for street? Cos different tyre shop will recommend only those that they need to sell to meet numbers. That's my dilemma.

 

[redwatermelon]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Drivers must slow down ! You can endanger others.

Got a technical question for driving experts : When a car skids, let say towards the right (either you hit something or during a downpour or even when you take a quick corner) what should be the immediate action from a driver given that you have little time to react ?

Brake hard, slow brake, steer car towards right or left to counter the skid towards right ?

Also asking those who attended some driving courses and those who track......

 

[vegadonovan]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

turning on hazard lights doesn't seem to be recommended.... 2 schools of thoughts. I don't recommend it either, normal beam + fog should be good enough I guess.

 

[delrosa81]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

I drove an 07 523i with bridgestone RFT on stock rims. Thread approx 50 ~ 70 % left. Was travelling at about 90 to 100km/h, it started pouring heavily. My car hydroplane and I lost control. Hit side railings and steering airbag activated.

What went wrong? I'm still unsure. Some of my friends suggest that the tire could not cope with the large amount of sudden downpour.

Before my car skidded, i did notice a flashing light near the cigarrette tray (the other one beside PDC)


I lose confident with the tire. Anyone had bad experience on the same tire? My previous Goodyear F1 was superb.

Gotta claim my insurance and repair is taking me 3 weeks. NTUC assigned a quality workshop in AMK Autopoint at Ind Park 2A. Will I be replaced with new parts or repaired?

I'm just lucky unhurt...

Did U check the manufacture date on the tires? Sometimes it not just the mileage travelled or the threads still have how many percent left. Once its like 5 yrs old or even before the 5 yrs mark, the tire compound has hardened. So even got 100% thread left, in the dry still ok once there is presence of water....no grip at all.....

 

[beamer001]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Hi vega, any particular reason why you mention turning on hazard lights not recommmended in heavy downpour?

As for driving technique after skidding, i guess u can't do much but try to maintain directional control and slow down(hopefully your cas has ABS). But is it better to jam brake or just moderate brake?

Any experts care to share?

 

[vegadonovan]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Hey beamer,

Hazard lights = sudden/emergency stopping. Its like seeing those car with permanent brake lights on (the high intensity brake lights which comes on when brake is applied). It gives you a permanent alert which is not sustainable and you can't differentiate a real brake vs a fake brake.

Its been discussed a couple of times before on the forum and I don't think this is recommended in the Singapore driving guides anymore but I have not done a study on this.

Switching on the headlights will give a lighted red behind. If its really bad, I would turn on the rear fog as well as the front.

So that's my point of view. =)

Enjoy!

PS I don't drive on the 1st (overtaking lane) or on puddles ever since a couple of bad experience with the steering pulling left abruptly when hitting big puddles at high speeds (80-100kmph). My tyres are 245/275. Same effect. I guess it would be the same ever if they are 275/305.

 

[davidtch]

Re: Skid ? hydroplane?

Got a technical question for driving experts : When a car skids, let say towards the right (either you hit something or during a downpour or even when you take a quick corner) what should be the immediate action from a driver given that you have little time to react ?

Brake hard, slow brake, steer car towards right or left to counter the skid towards right ?

Also asking those who attended some driving courses and those who track......

Based on past experience, i release throttle & make sure that steering wheel is pointed straight. Lastly, pray hard.

Did U check the manufacture date on the tires? Sometimes it not just the mileage travelled or the threads still have how many percent left. Once its like 5 yrs old or even before the 5 yrs mark, the tire compound has hardened. So even got 100% thread left, in the dry still ok once there is presence of water....no grip at all.....

A lot of ppl nvr check or ask when they buy tyre.