Hydroplaning

[JJShort]

After the deluge last week, I drove my 2023 Platinum, F-150 EV (14K mi on tires) to town and encountered some water on the road. Not fast (55 mph) nor deep (2 inches) water running across at an angle. Quite surprised to experience momentary hydroplaning with no loss of control, but a jolt when over.. Would have thunk that a heavy vehicle with AWD would plow through it better. Don't think my 2004 Tundra would have done the same.

Sponsored

 

[Pottsie]

Weight has nothing to do with hydroplaning. Only Speed, tire pressure, tire condition and road conditions.

 

[Heliian]

Nearly 90kmh and 5 cm of water on the road will cause anything to hydroplane.

 

[GarageMahal]

Two inches is a lot of water and at highway speed there is no way the tread in nearly any tire could clear that much and allow the tires to contact the pavement. A tenth of an inch can often cause hydroplaning at speeds over 35mph.

 

[Runaway Tractor]

Is heavy rain a new thing where you are from?? 2" deep water isn't a lot when you're going slow. 2" deep water at 55mph is really bad and hydroplaning is the expected result.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Maybe you wouldn’t have sensed it in a 2004 tundra.

 

[JJShort]

Is heavy rain a new thing where you are from?? 2" deep water isn't a lot when you're going slow. 2" deep water at 55mph is really bad and hydroplaning is the expected result.

No, we regularly experience heavy rains, standing water, etc. Perhaps the tall, high-pressure tires exacerbated my sense of hydroplaning.

 

[WHPHLightning]

Interesting to note. Perhaps it has to do with the power delivery to the wheels. I've noticed that the handling in the snow is not nearly as capable as my last vehicle. It would be widely considered that heavier, lower of center vehicles perform better in wet/snow conditions, but the on-road, lived experience for many seems to point to the opposite for some reason.

 

[Adventureboy]

I've noticed that the handling in the snow is not nearly as capable as my last vehicle.

I'm curious what was your last vehicle/tires and what tires you have on the Lightning. The factory Grabbers on some of our Lightnings are not good in the snow/ice. My Lightning is WAY better than my 2018 ICE F150 in the snow with the same tires (Blazzaks)

 

[TMND]

Really!?! Mine is way better in the snow and ice than any other vehicle I’ve owned and that list is over 30 long.

Feels like that tires have suction cups on them. And in my town this time of year, the roads are ice 3 inches thick until it thaws.

 

[WHPHLightning]

I'm curious what was your last vehicle/tires and what tires you have on the Lightning. The factory Grabbers on some of our Lightnings are not good in the snow/ice. My Lightning is WAY better than my 2018 ICE F150 in the snow with the same tires (Blazzaks)

Yea, I’m coming from a Forrester that never slipped once in 5 years of having it.

It was truly exceptional.

The lightning has been largely fine, but in moments has slippage in icy and snowy conditions that are less than confidence inspiring, especially for a truck.

 

[Adventureboy]

The Lightning is much heavier than the Forrester and you'll notice the weight in icy conditions. What tires do you have? As I mentioned, factory Grabbers are poor in snow/ice.

 

[CyclopsThere]

hydroplaning with no loss of control, but a jolt when over

This is interesting. I wonder if you ran into "torque" hydroplane where the truck spun the tires on the water, then suddenly gained traction (or TC kicked in). I'm in an area where people carve up the roads by using metal studs on tires, so ruts of water are super common in the rain. I make a big point when I see these to be very easy on the throttle and brake so that I'm not adding more force to the tires than I need to.

Sponsored