Well it happened...I was driving down the highway at a moderate 55 in 6th gear just coasting in the left lane of a 4 lane highway. It was raining moderately. All of a sudden my wheel goes out to the right a little so I slowly correct to the left and then BAM! My car is jerked to the right and before I realized what was happening, I was spinning across the highway. I was thinking This is not going to end well...Next thing I know I am on the median where the exit ramp and highway merge. I feel my car bumping off road then BAM! Nail the exit marker sign which did most if not all the damage to my car. I got out thinking how lucky I was to walk away from it, completely uninjured. I was shocked and forgot how to use a cell phone to call 911. Scariest experience of my life. It made me realize truly how dangerous water can be...I should have died and yet here I sit seven hours later telling you about it...Hopefully in the next few months, my Z will be fixed or I will get a new one. I know you guys love pics, but unfortunately I was too shaken up to get some. Today was the best and worst day of my life. It was the worst because I lost my Z but it was the best because I walked away from a horrific accident that could have ended my life or another persons. I posted this for some comfort because I am still in shock. Please don't hate...this was a hydroplane. Nothing I could have done. I'm just thankful to have my life.

 

Hey glad to hear your ok. That can happen to anyone most people dont relize how slippery a road is when it rains. Really sucks about the Z but thats what you got insurance for. I was hit by a semi in my chevy avalanche a few months ago and it really made me appreciate life. It made me think how fast **** can change. But throw some pics up want to see how mangled the Z is. And goodluck with all the b/s insurance company.

 

Sorry to hear that, although I don't quite understand how going in a straight line in moderate rain at that speed could possibly result in your car being jerked so forcefully that you SPUN out across the highway without engaging the brakes abruptly... was it possible your rubber was bald/sucked?

But, I've seen and experianced some inexplicable stuff (thankfully, not in my car) that no one was particularly 'at fault'... glad to hear you're okay regardless.

 

Thanks guys! The car is at the tow yard. I'll try and get some pics when I go get my stuff out of her.

Honestly I don't know how it happened...everything was a blur. I know instinctively not to hit the brakes. I will admit my rubber on my left tire isn't so good.

But yes it's just a car and it really makes me appreciate life. Thanks for the support. Will get pics ASAP!

 

Glad your safe man! If you forget how it feels to drive a Z you can drive mine im local.

Anything you can salvage off that thing? some coilovers possibly ??

 

damn dude that sucks...I too have first hand experience with hydroplaning in the Z but luckly only tire damage, and some bent up control arms. Glad you're ok

 

Thanks guys! Freedonutss I like the offer but my best buddy is gonna let me take his for a spin. Hopefully mine can be fixed up if there is no frame damage...but so far its lookin like a total out. So I am currently lookin for another. My best friend owns a dealership so auctioned cars are found pretty cheap there. Hopefully I can get my red HR back...I am going to jack my air filters and Pioneer nav system when I go back if it's totalled out...I am quite worried that they won't be able to switch out my exhaust. I do have OEM put away so I'm hoping to get that. Only thing I will lose are my rims...ADR..not too expensive but looks like I'll be riding on stocks for awhile!

 

Glad your ok!

I'm guessing that your tires were worn, the OEM tires are not all that good to begin with in the rain.

 

"It was raining moderately. All of a sudden my wheel goes out to the right a little so I slowly correct to the left and then BAM! My car is jerked to the right".

Explanation does not make sense. Driver error and worn tires in the rain cause accidents….

 

Glad your ok!

Did you happen to have the cruise on?

 

Sounds like a frightening experience. Hydroplane at 55 MPH? Tell us what tires you are running?

 

Guys to be honest they were about to be replaced actually running bald. It was probably the cause of it...I'll blame myself for that one. If it happened a couple weeks later I would have had new rubber...

I know how rain is dangerous. I was just cruising on a straightaway down the highway. Hell I had cars passing me...Wasn't even on the gas. I don't know how it happened believe me. The whole thing is a blur. That is what I remember to the best of my ability.

 

Glad to hear your ok.

 

I blame no one for anything. This and similar experiences can be a valuable learning tool for members. Later when you find the car take some photos of the front tires.

 

Join Date: Jun 2009

90 percent of accidents occur within the first year of ownership. That's a fact.

 

im not to far from you. I know what your talking about. It has been raining almost for 4 weeks straight. It sucks. I took the z out in the rain for the first time today almost cause i had too. Makes me rethink all the hydroplaining i was "testing waters" with driving around.

Well good luck with your future z search/repair.

 

During hydroplaning the front tires are not touching the road surface. There is no steering. Tires, wheels and steering wheel will pull left and right. The problem is exaggerated by the driver making corrections. Your brain tells you to do it. Front tires will grab at an oblique angle. Over steer will be in the opposite direction.

 

I hear what you're saying David...it happened so fast. Never happened to me before. I did not press the brake, but something went wrong. I did all I could and I lost it...I learned a lot from this. A car can be replaced, my life can't. Now I see how easily things like this happen and I have learned much from it. I hope others take in my experience as a learning tool. That's one reason I posted it.

But yes, people in the Northern Georgia region know how bad the rain has been. Standing water has been a huge problem. Anyways, thanks for the kind words guys. I already have a few Z's I will look into.

 

The water was ridiculous here in GA. In douglasville where I live was the WORST. Roads and bridges were washed away.

 

Damn that blows..... Glad to know you got out safe. I know the feeling, south FL rain has deff. tried to screw me over a couple of times. Are you planning to do a part-out?