Hydroplaning

fazzster · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 08:54 PM

I know this is a light car but has anyone else notice this car is terrible at speed in the wet? I am using the stock Dunlops on Konig Heliums with Tanabe springs. I find anything over 65 mph in the rain and the car gets scary light. My Miata never had this problem which is a light car too....

Cat · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2007, 09:19 PM

I've had my Fit since May and have not noticed any problems with the car on a wet road. I do tend to lower my speed if the pavements wet down 5 to 7 miles below the speed limit - habit I got into driving a small size truck with no weight in the back end. I've never had a problem so far and we've had some pretty heavy rains here.

Cat :x

pip_rocks · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 01:07 AM

i personally think it handles pretty well. much better than my old monte carlo that liked to fishtail...

RichXKU · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 01:13 AM

No problems here in the rain. I do notice it slows down a lot when I hit a larger patch of water, probably just due to its lightness, but no loss of traction.

andy23666 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazzster

I know this is a light car but has anyone else notice this car is terrible at speed in the wet? I am using the stock Dunlops on Konig Heliums with Tanabe springs. I find anything over 65 mph in the rain and the car gets scary light. My Miata never had this problem which is a light car too....

How many miles are on your car? Because my stock tires didn't last me long at all. Mine didn't start hydroplaning really until I needed new ones and the tires only lasted 32000 mi.

deezfit · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 11:36 AM

did you get your tire replaced under warranty or did you have to buy new ones?

andy23666 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 12:53 PM

I had to buy new ones

unfortunately the stock tires suck. I had the car a year to the day that I had to repece them. The BFG's that I have on there seem to be fairing much better.

Spule 4 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 02:56 PM

Actually, the Fit is far from light (I have owned Volvos that weighed less), but, as others have pointed out, the Dunlops are not that hot, especially when worn, in the wet.

I just (this Friday) had a set of Michelin Harmony put on the car at 34K. Too early to tell how they will do, but good reviews and these are not the first set of Michelin I have ever bought either.

Spule 4 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deezfit

did you get your tire replaced under warranty or did you have to buy new ones?

Unfortunately (or fortunately for those that don't want another set of Dunlops), the Dunlop SP 31 A/S does not have a treadlife warranty.

Using Cookies

Edit: Not sure why the link above is Using Cookies, it is a link to the Dunlop warranty via TireRack.

storm88000 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 04:06 AM

It's the tires.. not the car..

Gordio · #11 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazzster

I know this is a light car but has anyone else notice this car is terrible at speed in the wet? I am using the stock Dunlops on Konig Heliums with Tanabe springs. I find anything over 65 mph in the rain and the car gets scary light. My Miata never had this problem which is a light car too....

I notice problems when I brake. I think it has to do with using low resistance tires. When I brake, even slowly, I sometimes skid and the ABS kicks in.

TOOL · #12 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 12:50 PM

Yupp no problems for mine in the rain either, i can cruise 65 in heavy rain with out a problem. 80mph may be a diffrent story though!

thejroisgo · #13 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 01:32 PM

just so everyone knows... falken azenis are NOT made for the rain, I learned that the other day the hard way, lol

Spule 4 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spule 4

Actually, the Fit is far from light (I have owned Volvos that weighed less), but, as others have pointed out, the Dunlops are not that hot, especially when worn, in the wet.

I just (this Friday) had a set of Michelin Harmony put on the car at 34K. Too early to tell how they will do, but good reviews and these are not the first set of Michelin I have ever bought either.

Can you reply to your own posts????

Anyhow, I drove in a little bit of heavy rain today with the new Harmony tires by Michelin. No problems whatsoever and no need to drop speed unlike the Dunlops.

For non-sporting (commuting, family travel and business) use in the car, I would recommend these.

Harmony®: Passenger Car/Minivan: Tires: Michelin Tires