XC90 Aquaplaning

[Clan]

Originally Posted by xc90fubar

Anyone find theirs giving them a few scary moments? I'm finding it one of the worst cars I have driven for aquaplaning at fairly low speeds on the motorway and auto-routes (I do a lot of continental driving).

Have put it down to fairly light front end with the little 4 cylinder 2 litre diesel and the wide low profile tyres.

Am putting a set of winters on asap and will probably run them permanently as they deal with standing water so well in addition to snow etc.

This is a 2 ton car with weight distribution 50/50 I would get some new tyres ..what have you got on there and what is the tread depth ?

[simonjedrake]

Originally Posted by Haldex

As for XC90 and aquaplaning- a “fairly light” front (2.5 tonnes is the lightest variant.. probably at least 60% being on the front axle..) is not at issue here.. as most people have said - I’d blame it on the tires..

.......or I would blame it on the Tyre Pressures being possible set at the high Eco settings?

[gaby]

Originally Posted by simonjedrake

.......or I would blame it on the Tyre Pressures being possible set at the high Eco settings?

I would think that higher pressure may lead to less contact surface and hence to better "penetration" through water.

[Typolee]

No problem in mine and I've driven to Italy through serious storms! My car has Michelin latitudes on and they are far better than the Pirelli scorpion that were on my previous XC90. I've now got my favourite Nankang SV2 winter tyres on which are awesome in the wet and even better in the ice and snow I went through 12 inchs of snow last year without an issue.

[AB-UK]

Originally Posted by Typolee

I've now got my favourite Nankang SV2 winter tyres on which are awesome in the wet and even better in the ice and snow I went through 12 inchs of snow last year without an issue.

You've fitted your winter tyres already?

[Lexman8]

Tyre contact area with 3mm water on road (from Volvo brochure).
_

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

Tyre contact area with 3mm water on road (from Volvo brochure).
_

makes you think when these huge cars go blasting past at 80+ mph in pouring rain .. one twitch of the steering wheel and they are spinning down the road like a top ...

[Deman77]

Three years - conti sport contact 5 for summer and 850ps for winter and it’s like it’s glued to the road. Check the pressures and change your tyres if pressures are correct. If you don’t have a reference quality pressure gauge try several petrol station ones. Home variety gauges can be wildly out.

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by Clan

makes you think when these huge cars go blasting past at 80+ mph in pouring rain .. one twitch of the steering wheel and they are spinning down the road like a top ...

yeah they really are not, although maybe a RWD more likely, but certainly not a awd with decent tyres and half decent driver.

[AB-UK]

Typolee should note what Lexman8's attachment says about using winter tyres when it's warm.