1991TT

I wouldn't go so far as to say useless. I've hydroplaned before in heavy rain with my Potenza S-03s and the only thing that kept me off of the concrete embankment was VDC. I'd say that VDC is like a safety net...with a few holes in it.

On dry pavement, VDC is a different story. I can barrel recklessly into a turn going 10mph faster than I should and my VDC steps in just enough to keep me pointed in the right direction. To me, it's not obtrusive or obnoxious. Some guys feel otherwise. Kinda like HICAS with the Z32. Some guys love it, and some hate it. I liked it. But I also like to keep my car going straight. Some of you guys like sliding sideways through turns. Not me.

CindysZ

Main thing is that you're okay.

Timmy_boy188

werd werd

hfm

iTrader: (1)

Don't get me wrong, I love VDC. However, it was useless.

I've had VDC work when I took a left hand turn too quickly in the wet. At lower speeds, it has a chance to work. At 60-65 MPH in the wet, when you're going straight and the rear slides out from underneath you, it was absolutely unable to do anything at all. Trust me, when I say it was useless, it was useless. I will never mistake VDC as a safety net for driving too fast in the rain. If you're going over 60 MPH in the wet, do not expect VDC to prevent a crash - I've personally experienced it and I know, it can not correct anything to prevent a hydroplane. Once you've 100% lost traction, no amount of engine braking or physical braking of any wheel will stop you. There simply is no traction.

carlos067

iTrader: (1)

I took my family nearly 8 hours to drive 230ish miles yesterday they saw 4 accidents with more than 4 cars involved and many smaller ones.

Yeah here in fla its supposed to rain the rest of the week so to all be careful!!

shaft73

I've been there too. About to get on the highway in january (black ice) and I started to fishtail. one moment I'm facing the guard rail, the next a really nice A4. luckily i corrected it and no damage happened.

BENSIN

Honestly something like that can happen anywhere in any car, I had this happen to me in my 4 banger, FWD accord, I was going slow as all hell. Heavy snow, one back road was partially plowed, it was really slushy. I was probably going top speed 15 and then let off the gas coming closer to the 2 way stop intersection and a main road. I'm going slow as all hell I could walk faster than the car was going, I hit the brakes and slid right into the middle. Thankfully there wasn't anyone there or I'd be history.

Same thing happened again during NJ's last winter, I almost got crushed...I'm going like 20 and this garbage truck is about to jump out onto the road, so I apply the brakes slide right into the curb just before the jerk realizes he doesn't have right of way or clearance. I start up again slowly and then a tractor trailer starts pulling out not even a block up, brakes again even though he didn't have right of way. Brakes again and I slide straight in a diagonal way, he doesn't stop coming out so I'm going to be crushed between his truck and the curb. I end up sliding through the remaining opening between the truck and curb and then regain control...I wasn't really scared because I just wanted to go eat...I was, however, pissed off.

geez zee

iTrader: (2)

I really don't think so... I had a Porsche 911 ('77) that had to be the all-time hydroplane champ!

It's hard to argue with physics... our [relatively] light cars with [relatively] wide tires are going to have a tendancy to hydroplane... heck, leave 'em home in the rain; drive the beater!

Be safe, everybody

Rob (high and dry in Texas... nooooooooooooo rain)

Pamplona

That is a traumatic experience. I'm glad you're okay. I just purchased the 350z roadster touring 6spd with 18" wheels. Does anyone else own this car and if so, would 50 to 60 in rain in 6th gear be okay?

leeboyNY

iTrader: (21)

Yup... been there. Glad to hear that you are ok and the car is ok.
I almost died from my experience... I totalled my 97 Mustang GT convertible 3 years ago. I started to spin and tore up the trunk/gas tank area by hitting a thick metal post (I-beam) that holds up the exit signs in interstates... Gas started to leak... if there was a spark, I would have been dead....

Rear wheel drive cars with wide performance tires can very easily hydro. So be careful and don't learn the lesson the way I did.

kcobean

iTrader: (2)

he he....there are lots of folks here with the same car. It's a Z forum!!!
Regardless of what model you have, you have to just feel the car. If the road is just wet, 50-60 is probably fine, but if the water is starting to pool on the road, you chances of pushing up on a plane increase drastically. Gearing has nothing to do with it, it's all about speed.

gunmetal

I had some nitto nt-555 and because of the sorry performance in the rain (on I-75 as well) I decided to get me some tires that would drive better in the rain.

I do suffer on the dry pavement as now my car seems to drift in the rear end and not stick like it used to.

but @ least my car hasn't slid since.

Glad you are alright!

lascala26

iTrader: (2)

My Toyo TS-1s seem to grip much better than the stock in rain. I drive slowly in the rain though and don't give a rats A$$ who is on my tail. I would rather go slow than lose it. I did that in my previous car.

HOMiEZ

iTrader: (1)

yeah it could be the car or the tires or VDC/TSC but when it comes down to it, everything depends on how much you know your car's current condition. so my point is that although you might have learned from this experience that you shouldn't go fast in rain, but make sure you understand that your car/weather is always changing. ie tire/brake/clutch wear. so you have to learn how to get a good feel of your car under any situation and drive accordingly.

a good story:

a couple of months ago, when So. Cal all of sudden got hit with huge rain storms. I was on a 30 mile drive going south on the 57th freeway. The rain was pouring tremendously and I knew I had to keep my traction well or else I'll be bouncing off the railings. So I proceed at around 45-50mph (this was already pushing it). I would have been going slower if the dam traffic wasn't on my tail. *stupid SoCal drivers and their ignorance to hydroplaning. So I'm just here cruising safely while I see this set of HIDs just flashing in my rear view. I was like WTF who's this clown trying to pass me in this weather. I continue my safe driving, and all of sudden the fool behind me floors it, and passes me with great acceleration. (not to bash on the car but it was a brand new RX-8) I wasn't upset at the guy but I was more concerned with him hitting me car. So I switch lane to hopefully avoid his carelessness. Well the guy continues to drive off at great pace. But soon enough I see this clown on the side of the road with his hazards on. I didn't see what happened, but his car look okay, so I just laughed and drove home safely.

cloudy

iTrader: (3)

Man that sucks... sorry to hear it.. Ya i hate driving in the rain with my Z now.. Especially after i just hydrolocked it.

Santacruzslick

iTrader: (12)

This is what I've noticed. *Most* of the roads in florida are pretty worn out. They aren't smooth so the water doesn't roll off of them into the medians. They are very rough and they hold the water. Even if you can't see the water on the road it IS there. Worst part of the year is during the winter when it doesn't rain very often, so when it does rain there is a lot of oil on the road. I just try not to drive in the rain as much as possible.

ken350z

iTrader: (2)

My parents are in Sebring and the roads there are perfect. Maybe in-land is better.

dieselpilot1969

I hear ya, I did that almost same thing in my 8000 lbs dodge 4x4 diesel. I laughed through the whole experience while my wife almost **** her pants

Greenvette95

Thank God you were not hurt.

tlewis

iTrader: (3)

Glad to hear you made it out OK....

I had a similar thing happen to me last weekend. This is the first time anything like it has happened to me in my Z (or any other car for a really long time). I was cruising at about 65, since it was still lightly raining, but the roads were still really wet. I was going through a slight right-hand curve, when my front passenger tire hit a pothole... This caused my back end to get loose and swing out 90 degrees. I over corrected and was facing 90 to the left. As I tried to get it under control and stopped, it did a 180 as I went off the side of the interstate... I slid down the embankment about 20 feet, and stoppped less than 2 feet from a telephone pole.

After I got my senses back and loosened my white knuckled grip on the wheel, I drove right back up the embankment and back on the road. I pulled over to checked it out. Luckily, the only damage was a small dent in the front bumper next to the lower diffuser, which popped out, and lots of mud and grass all over the car. I slid sideways soo much that one tire lost the bead on the rim, and it went flat. The tire shop had to remount it, but everything was ok.

Since that, I have been extremely careful in the rain...driving like a grandma on Sunday!