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HybridZ

hydroplaning


Lewis Maudlin

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Is anyone able to drive their hybridz on wet roads? I had to pull of the road and get a ride today b/c the road was soaked. My car behaved like it hit sheer ice. Granted, my tires are a little worn. Oh, and I did add the Powerbrute LSD. And I have around 400 whp. And the car only weighs 2480 with a full tank of gas.

 

Just seems odd that I can't drive my car at even 20 mph on wet roads. I don't think my S30 with an sbc had this problem, but it wasn't LSD and did not have 400 at the wheels and didn't weigh in at 2480 lbs.

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Yeah, puddles definitely make my car interesting at speed. Luckily the roads around where I live aren't too bad, but if i hit anything deeper than an inch at anything over 20mph I can feel that I have completely lost control of my car and have to wait it out. I don't think there is much we can do for this other than buy good all-weather tires and hope for the best. These light cars are killer for hydroplaning. My dad just got a miata, I'll be interested to see how that handles big puddles, as it is 300lbs or so lighter than the Z.

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Well my z is not so light (2900lbs) and i run the Yokohama AVS Sports all the way around. I have had no issues driving on the higway is fairly heavy rain/standing water.

 

I think that much of the problem is due to your tires. Even with the steamrollers out back, I have not had any hydroplanning issues in the 4 years of having them on the car.

 

I know my current rear wing does help though. I remember having a "california" wing on the car a long time ago, and when I removed it, I had to really watch my speed in the rain. My tires were smaller, and somewhat worn, and of a lower quality back then. (245/45/16's).

 

Take it easy in the rain. Ok? 400RWHP and "ok" tires are a recipe for carnage!

 

Scott.

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My stock 240 always did fine with the stock width tires. I think I have run 195 and 205 wide tires.

 

Some tire compounds DEFINITELY do better in the rain than others. 20 years of driving a pick up truck have proven that to me. Look for a tire with a Class A wet weather rating.

 

I want to put a set of summer only tires on my Z, but one of the things I absolutely will look for is the wet pavement rating. Never know when you are going to get caught in the rain or hit and errant lawn sprinkler.

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My v8 280zx is a bit touchy in the rain, so I usually have to keep my foot out of it - I'm running 255/40/17 BFGoodrich G-force T/As with new tread. My '72 240zt drive fine with 225s in the rear and decent tread. My Ranger on the other hand...good god that thing is horrible in the rain.

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