The Z Traction

Bidness91 · 09-20-2013, 02:09 PM

Well I have had my car for 4 months now and had 2 scary moments with it. I was wondering if I am the only person that experiences these issues. Or maybe they arent issues; i dont know.

Both times it had rained and its not like I was driving like a maniac or real aggressive. First time was on 45mph road going around 50-55mph and all the sudden my tires lose traction and i hydroplane two lanes to the right and then I catch traction and all is well. I chalk that up to maybe something in the road.

Next time I am on crosstown (basically toll road) and going 80-85mph tops when it had barely rained. The road was only two lanes wide with walls on both sides and my car decides to freak out. Driving in left lane and my back wheels hydroplane hard to the right, then hard to the left, right, left....till i skid to a stop inches from the wall. I don't even know if I counter steered it while it was happening because it all happened so quickly. All I remember is the steering wheel jerking each time it switched sides... I definitely counted my blessings because 99 times out of 100, I should have totaled it into that wall.

I did not have traction control off nor was I trying to change lanes or anything stupid. My previous car was 10' camaro so it weighed a lot more....so maybe the weight makes a huge difference??

DEpointfive0 · 09-20-2013, 02:13 PM

Get better tires for the first one, for the second one, you need better tires and to SLOW DOWN. The teas on the car doesn't have that much weight, you have to be safer

Bidness91 · 09-20-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Get better tires for the first one, for the second one, you need better tires and to SLOW DOWN. The teas on the car doesn't have that much weight, you have to be safer

I understand what you are saying but it wasnt like I was even going real fast and there was zero water on the pavement. Cars were driving past me and i was basically on cruise control. It just doesnt make sense that it would jerk like that out of no where.

DEpointfive0 · 09-20-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bidness91

I understand what you are saying but it wasnt like I was even going real fast and there was zero water on the pavement. Cars were driving past me and i was basically on cruise control. It just doesnt make sense that it would jerk like that out of no where.

... You said it was raining, or had rained both times. And you said your car hydroplaned, meaning water was involved...

Elan · 09-20-2013, 02:59 PM

Yeah when it rains/had rained, I don't go over 55. If it's hard rain, I'll be that guy doing 45 in the far right lane with hazards on.

DIGItonium · 09-20-2013, 03:15 PM

Same for gavel roads. The paint on my car is still fresh, and I had to drive through newly paved road with lots of gravel to get to the credit union and fitness center. Speed limit is around 35 MPH, and I tried to coast around 40 MPH when this F150 sped past me kicking up gravel at my car and leaving dust trail at well over 50-60 MPH.

Anyhow... new tires. I like my Conti tires.

enkei2k · 09-20-2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bidness91

Well I have had my car for 4 months now and had 2 scary moments with it. I was wondering if I am the only person that experiences these issues. Or maybe they arent issues; i dont know.

Both times it had rained and its not like I was driving like a maniac or real aggressive. First time was on 45mph road going around 50-55mph and all the sudden my tires lose traction and i hydroplane two lanes to the right and then I catch traction and all is well. I chalk that up to maybe something in the road.

Next time I am on crosstown (basically toll road) and going 80-85mph tops when it had barely rained. The road was only two lanes wide with walls on both sides and my car decides to freak out. Driving in left lane and my back wheels hydroplane hard to the right, then hard to the left, right, left....till i skid to a stop inches from the wall. I don't even know if I counter steered it while it was happening because it all happened so quickly. All I remember is the steering wheel jerking each time it switched sides... I definitely counted my blessings because 99 times out of 100, I should have totaled it into that wall.

I did not have traction control off nor was I trying to change lanes or anything stupid. My previous car was 10' camaro so it weighed a lot more....so maybe the weight makes a huge difference??

Like mentioned already, most likely tires.

Let us know what kind of tires you have, how many miles on them, and last time you got an alignment done or checked the tire wear on your car.

(Please don't say OEM tires with 50k miles

)

Drex · 09-20-2013, 03:29 PM

stock re050s are terrible in the rain

TreeSemdyZee · 09-20-2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex

stock re050s are terrible in the rain

This. I've got Continental DWs and I can hammer it in the rain with no issues.

OP, you mentioned driving 80-85 when it barely rained. That is when the pavement is the slickest. After it starts raining the oil and crap in the pavement surfaces and makes it slicker than after a hard rain.

Caustic · 09-20-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

OP, you mentioned driving 80-85 when it barely rained. That is when the pavement is the slickest. After it starts raining the oil and crap in the pavement surfaces and makes it slicker than after a hard rain.

^^ This needs repeating.

Cold weather (cold tires) will also affect tire traction dramatically if they are summer performance tires.

Elan · 09-21-2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

This. I've got Continental DWs and I can hammer it in the rain with no issues.

OP, you mentioned driving 80-85 when it barely rained. That is when the pavement is the slickest. After it starts raining the oil and crap in the pavement surfaces and makes it slicker than after a hard rain.

DWs FTW!

Mt Tam I am · 09-21-2013, 02:24 PM

Strange timing on this post.

Had I read it before I left the house I'd have said never happened to me.

Today it is raining and for the first time in months. I have Michelin Pilot Super Sports and are wonderful in the rain and wet. Tomorrow I am at Sears Point for a track day and felt good about my tires.

So with the first rain I hit the straight after another car turned off, and felt my rear end getting light and wanting to move around a bit. I don't think this will be the case tommorrow. The roads will have been washed clean by then (I hope).

Coon-azz · 09-22-2013, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

This. I've got Continental DWs and I can hammer it in the rain with no issues.

OP, you mentioned driving 80-85 when it barely rained. That is when the pavement is the slickest. After it starts raining the oil and crap in the pavement surfaces and makes it slicker than after a hard rain.

pavement type, tires, temp, first 30 minutes after even a light rain is bad as all the oil kicks up..ya know. driving 101 stuff...

Bking · 09-20-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex

stock re050s are terrible in the rain

^this.

One time I hydroplaned on a semi-highway going around 100 km/h and almost killed a cyclist.

Just change your tires.

Arrvaxx · 09-20-2013, 03:27 PM

I read a lot about prior about driving these things in the rain and last week got the chance to experience it. Rear wheel drive with no weight and big *** tires=slow down.

OP, what kind of tires do you have? Check tire rack for which category they fall in to:

"Extreme Performance Summer Tires
You want extreme dry street performance and are willing to trade some comfort and hydroplaning resistance to get it.

Not to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, in snow or on ice, or at high speeds in deep standing water, these specially tuned tires combine big-block tread designs with aggressive tread compounds and reinforced internal constructions to emphasize dry road response, traction, handling and high speed capabilities for serious driving enthusiasts."

I have Bridgestone Pole Position and those aren't too bad. My next tires are going to be 'no rain allowed' though. Haha.

09-20-2013, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bidness91 Base Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 27 Drives: 11' 370z Rep Power: 13	The Z Traction Well I have had my car for 4 months now and had 2 scary moments with it. I was wondering if I am the only person that experiences these issues. Or maybe they arent issues; i dont know. Both times it had rained and its not like I was driving like a maniac or real aggressive. First time was on 45mph road going around 50-55mph and all the sudden my tires lose traction and i hydroplane two lanes to the right and then I catch traction and all is well. I chalk that up to maybe something in the road. Next time I am on crosstown (basically toll road) and going 80-85mph tops when it had barely rained. The road was only two lanes wide with walls on both sides and my car decides to freak out. Driving in left lane and my back wheels hydroplane hard to the right, then hard to the left, right, left....till i skid to a stop inches from the wall. I don't even know if I counter steered it while it was happening because it all happened so quickly. All I remember is the steering wheel jerking each time it switched sides... I definitely counted my blessings because 99 times out of 100, I should have totaled it into that wall. I did not have traction control off nor was I trying to change lanes or anything stupid. My previous car was 10' camaro so it weighed a lot more....so maybe the weight makes a huge difference??

09-20-2013, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17152	Get better tires for the first one, for the second one, you need better tires and to SLOW DOWN. The teas on the car doesn't have that much weight, you have to be safer Dart likes this. __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

09-20-2013, 02:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Elan Track Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 906 Drives: Airplanes Rep Power: 17	Yeah when it rains/had rained, I don't go over 55. If it's hard rain, I'll be that guy doing 45 in the far right lane with hazards on. kidkotic2001 likes this. __________________ 2009 370Z NISMO #477 \| AAM Competition Short Tails \| AAM Competition HFCs \| K&N Typhoon CAI \| Kenwood DPX300U \| Rockford Fosgate PRIME R300-4 \| Rockford Fosgate Punch P165 \| Rockford Fosgate Punch P300-12 \| Polk Audio db1001 \| 15% Tints \| GTR Start Button \|

09-20-2013, 03:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	Same for gavel roads. The paint on my car is still fresh, and I had to drive through newly paved road with lots of gravel to get to the credit union and fitness center. Speed limit is around 35 MPH, and I tried to coast around 40 MPH when this F150 sped past me kicking up gravel at my car and leaving dust trail at well over 50-60 MPH. Anyhow... new tires. I like my Conti tires. Brian likes this. __________________

09-20-2013, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Drex Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 498 Drives: '11 370z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 15	stock re050s are terrible in the rain vividracing likes this. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z \| 6MT \| Magnetic Black \| Sport Package

09-21-2013, 02:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	Strange timing on this post. Had I read it before I left the house I'd have said never happened to me. Today it is raining and for the first time in months. I have Michelin Pilot Super Sports and are wonderful in the rain and wet. Tomorrow I am at Sears Point for a track day and felt good about my tires. So with the first rain I hit the straight after another car turned off, and felt my rear end getting light and wanting to move around a bit. I don't think this will be the case tommorrow. The roads will have been washed clean by then (I hope). cossie1600 likes this. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

09-20-2013, 03:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Arrvaxx A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Whore Island, MN Posts: 1,243 Drives: 40th F.I. Twin Turbo Rep Power: 19	I read a lot about prior about driving these things in the rain and last week got the chance to experience it. Rear wheel drive with no weight and big *** tires=slow down. OP, what kind of tires do you have? Check tire rack for which category they fall in to: "Extreme Performance Summer Tires You want extreme dry street performance and are willing to trade some comfort and hydroplaning resistance to get it. Not to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, in snow or on ice, or at high speeds in deep standing water, these specially tuned tires combine big-block tread designs with aggressive tread compounds and reinforced internal constructions to emphasize dry road response, traction, handling and high speed capabilities for serious driving enthusiasts." I have Bridgestone Pole Position and those aren't too bad. My next tires are going to be 'no rain allowed' though. Haha. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary (#480 born 1/19/2010) Fast Intentions Twin Turbo \| Varis Arising II \| Limited Edition Recaro Sportster \| Tuned by Specialty Z \| 604hp 525 torque @14lbs boost on 100 octane Last edited by Arrvaxx; 09-20-2013 at 03:34 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
GTM Traction Control NA	Z eliminator	Forced Induction	44	01-04-2012 06:22 PM
Traction problems?	AlexRaymond19	Wheels & Tires	42	10-28-2011 12:33 AM
Traction?	Asquarecan	Engine & Drivetrain	18	07-28-2011 01:59 PM
Traction control	bigZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	21	03-09-2011 11:17 PM