Hydroplaning ...Be Careful
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Hydroplaning ...Be Careful
Driving 55 mph on a 55 MPH road, and my MB slides about 1 or 2 feet to the left when i'm trying to drive straight. Didn't notice any flashing triangles on the dash to indicate any ASR or other systems engaged.
I'm quite surprised that a new car with new tires and advanced stability control would swerve to the left.
I'm quite surprised that a new car with new tires and advanced stability control would swerve to the left.
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
When tires are hydroplaning, there is insufficient contact between the tire and the road to hold the vehicle in place. Since all anti-skid systems use braking and/or engine output reduction to control the unwanted direction, it also depends on tire traction on the road to correct the problem, right? I mean if you drove over a solid section of ball bearings, no anti-skid system would help. You need sufficient traction at one or more corners to stop the skid.
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
You say it slid to the left. Did it "turn" or "steer" to the left or make a lateral "shift" to the left as if all 4 tires moved sideways?
I think the ESP system compares driver input to "yaw" sensors and makes a determination. If the entire car moved laterally, I think the yaw sensor would be unaffected and still think the car was on a straight course, hence, no flashing triangle. If the rearend started to "come around" the yaw sensor would see that and attempt to straighten things out.
I think the ESP system compares driver input to "yaw" sensors and makes a determination. If the entire car moved laterally, I think the yaw sensor would be unaffected and still think the car was on a straight course, hence, no flashing triangle. If the rearend started to "come around" the yaw sensor would see that and attempt to straighten things out.
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Not that this would help much, but did you have traction control on "W". It does make a difference. Hydroplaning happens, there is not much you can do about it, but stay calm and act smart.
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From: Land of Make Believe, NJ
2002 C230K
Originally posted by galaxygrrl
Not that this would help much, but did you have traction control on "W". It does make a difference. Hydroplaning happens, there is not much you can do about it, but stay calm and act smart.
Not that this would help much, but did you have traction control on "W". It does make a difference. Hydroplaning happens, there is not much you can do about it, but stay calm and act smart.
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by Lynn
The "W" setting is not part of the traction control. The "W" setting forces the automatic tranmission to start in second gear.
The "W" setting is not part of the traction control. The "W" setting forces the automatic tranmission to start in second gear.
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From: Netherlands
C270CDI Avantgarde 2001 Sedan AMG rims and skirts
I did a driver training course with some friends. Two of them also have a c270cdi, 1 is almost the same (also a manual). His was not very stable when braking and doing evasive manouvres on a wet and slippery underground. Best to describe it was that is was nervous. Mine wasn't. The instructor thought it was the width of the tires, but that wasn't it (mine are wider). It turned out that I have Pirelli's and he has Continentals.
Come to speak of continentals, everybody in my group who had stability problems had continental tires...
Mark
Come to speak of continentals, everybody in my group who had stability problems had continental tires...
Mark
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Originally posted by Lynn
The "W" setting is not part of the traction control. The "W" setting forces the automatic tranmission to start in second gear.
The "W" setting is not part of the traction control. The "W" setting forces the automatic tranmission to start in second gear.
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Originally posted by galaxygrrl
Sales guy who said to always use it when it was wet and that it would help.
Sales guy who said to always use it when it was wet and that it would help.
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by DtS
The "W"-mode also engages another shift-program so that upshifts will be done sooner (given that you don't floor it, then it will be no difference).
The "W"-mode also engages another shift-program so that upshifts will be done sooner (given that you don't floor it, then it will be no difference).
BT
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C230 K coupe Orion blue, Evo, prem leather roof, premium sound and cd changer, auto.
Originally posted by Jerry MB230K
All systems were on .. the car was not in "W" mode .. not sure if 'W' would make a difference at 55 mph when the auto xmission is already in 5th gear.
I have standard tires ( not c7 )
All systems were on .. the car was not in "W" mode .. not sure if 'W' would make a difference at 55 mph when the auto xmission is already in 5th gear.
I have standard tires ( not c7 )
P/S To the European posters, Why are there so many diesel engined Mercs with such low displacements in Europe. Every CLK was a 200 (with the exception of one car) as were E class cars (200 cdi) and even S-class sedans. A class cars were as common as Fiats and those silly Renault "Smart cars". I only saw one ccoupe on the A-1 highway (this car doesn't seem to be very common in Europe as well). Furthermore what is the reason for so many mercs without number designations? I saw only one CL55 parked outside of the Rome Opera house, possibly Pavaroti's
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Originally posted by Goggles Piasano
P/S To the European posters, Why are there so many diesel engined Mercs with such low displacements in Europe. Every CLK was a 200 (with the exception of one car) as were E class cars (200 cdi) and even S-class sedans.
P/S To the European posters, Why are there so many diesel engined Mercs with such low displacements in Europe. Every CLK was a 200 (with the exception of one car) as were E class cars (200 cdi) and even S-class sedans.
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by Goggles Piasano
P/S To the European posters, Why are there so many diesel engined Mercs with such low displacements in Europe.
P/S To the European posters, Why are there so many diesel engined Mercs with such low displacements in Europe.
Cheers, BT
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
diesel engines also tend to have gobs of torque, helps with moving people
did u hit a puddle of standing water? doesn't matter what kind of tire u had...u can always experience hydroplaning. my s-02 were a lot better than the pzero assy...some max performance tires do better in wet than all-season tires also.
did u hit a puddle of standing water? doesn't matter what kind of tire u had...u can always experience hydroplaning. my s-02 were a lot better than the pzero assy...some max performance tires do better in wet than all-season tires also.
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