Aquaplaning

[aswearing]

do you think we are full prepared for everyday driving once we have passed our test?

today i was on the A1 and started to aquaplane at 70mph, i felt the backend slide out and veryneary made a swift exit through some trees

how many times has this happened to anyone else if at all and how serious was it?

[blacklineninja]

It happened to me once, and wrote my Polo off.

I don't think there is any training for how to deal with aquaplaning as once your wheels lose contact with the ground, you have no control at all.

Chief advice is when it's wet, slow down!!

[waynne]

I agree with black line Ninja - when its wet slow down. I have briefly aquaplaned and it was really scary as the steering just went. Thankfully the grip returned just before I slewed into the barrier. This taught me that I was not invincible and I've been careul in the wet ever since.

If you are driving through a flood never take your foot off the throttle or the water will be sucked up the exhaust into the engine! Ride the clutch if you have to but keep them revs up.

[aswearing]

during the flood around my end, a golf owner had water millimetres below his exhaust poor bloke

its an odd experience when you get yourself into a situation where you know you can die, everything just floats away. adrenaline junkie :P

[HDi fun]

It can happen to anyone, the real idea is to avoid it in the first place. Decent rubber helps.

A friend of mine did £20,000 worth of damage to his brand new Jaguar XKR on the M40 back in 2001 as a result of aquaplaning. He was only travelling at 85mph (so he says)

[aswearing]

all part of life - learning

[HDi fun]

Yep - it certainly helped him. Sadly even at the age of 52 this guy always used up every last inch of contingency. I think the £1k insurance excess the next year finally did it.

[vr1066]

Thankfully not had the misfortune of aquaplaning.

Will probably **** my self tho.

[HDi fun]

It is bloody scary. I've only aquaplaned twice in twenty years' driving.

By far the more serious occurence was on the B4011 (Thame to Bicester) when the rear let loose (car's, my own very nearly after!) and left me with a car pivoting about it's front axle. How I managed to rein that in I don't know. Luck was on my side that night.

I think it was down to having brand new rubber on the front and questionable quality at the back. Hence we should always fit new tyres at the rear or fir all four together. Guess what I've done ever since that tiime.

[blacklineninja]

For an example of how dangerous aquaplaning can bem, see yesterday's European GP