Active Handling and Rain
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Active Handling and Rain
Well last night was a great night. Steady rain for 300 miles, hydroplaning most of the way. It was so bad at time you could turn the wheel (slightly) and continue in a straght line.
Now I have had active handling kick in plenty of time at the limits on dry roads but last night was the first time I have had it get in going straight.
Well I'm driving along and hit a very bad section. Car yaws a little to the left, hydroplaning good when the active handling kicks and takes control. I was not surprised with the hydroplaning but was very surprised when the active handling kicked in. And I must say it did a very good job. I even had the traction control kick in a 60 mph, that is how bad the rain was.
Truth be told last night was not a night to be driving. In hind sight I probably should found a hotel and waited the storm out, but it is still going today. But nothing about the drive was what I would consider dangerous. I'm just really surprised on how well the systems worked and all of them got worked last night.
Now I have had active handling kick in plenty of time at the limits on dry roads but last night was the first time I have had it get in going straight.
Well I'm driving along and hit a very bad section. Car yaws a little to the left, hydroplaning good when the active handling kicks and takes control. I was not surprised with the hydroplaning but was very surprised when the active handling kicked in. And I must say it did a very good job. I even had the traction control kick in a 60 mph, that is how bad the rain was.
Truth be told last night was not a night to be driving. In hind sight I probably should found a hotel and waited the storm out, but it is still going today. But nothing about the drive was what I would consider dangerous. I'm just really surprised on how well the systems worked and all of them got worked last night.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 0
From: Rockmart GA
Thats good to know..I have been in several heavy rains but none in areas with poor water drainage yet. I can imagine these cars hydroplain easily with the tires they have and the lightness of the car. But should be easy to regain control because of the weight and Active handling system. I know on the autocross/race tracks people say how easy the c6 is at regaining control when the rear end breaks loose in a curve.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
One of the most dangerous cars in the rain is those fox body 87 - 93 5.0 Mustangs. More weight on front poor weight distribution. The rear end will come around you.
I will drive the C-6 in the rain any day over this car. Why don't you think you don't see that many on the road anymore?
I will drive the C-6 in the rain any day over this car. Why don't you think you don't see that many on the road anymore?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 64
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '09
Hydroplaning is very dangerous, and I would not RELY on the AH to save me, but it is good to know it works when you need it. With their light weight and wide tires, these cars are excellent candidates for hydroplaning. If the tires indeed lose contact with the road, there is nothing AH or the driver can do. Helping the situation some is the nearly even weight distribution, which should help keep the back from snapping around quickly before the driver and the AH can react in time to make a difference. I have driven my C5 and C6 daily drivers in hard rain many times and have never experienced hydroplaning, but I do slow down in those conditions.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Indy-hp
Hydroplaning is very dangerous, and I would not RELY on the AH to save me, but it is good to know it works when you need it. With their light weight and wide tires, these cars are excellent candidates for hydroplaning. If the tires indeed lose contact with the road, there is nothing AH or the driver can do. Helping the situation some is the nearly even weight distribution, which should help keep the back from snapping around quickly before the driver and the AH can react in time to make a difference. I have driven my C5 and C6 daily drivers in hard rain many times and have never experienced hydroplaning, but I do slow down in those conditions.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by LS WON
How about the magnetic ride suspension (F-55) KEEPS all 4 tires on ground?
What, do the F55 shocks push the tires down onto the road when if feels them rise up on top of a 1/10th inch of water? I think not. The F55 keeps the tires on the road when you are cresting a rise on the road where a non-F55 would catch some air. It doesn't do squat for hydroplaining...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 13
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by BigJoe
What, do the F55 shocks push the tires down onto the road when if feels them rise up on top of a 1/10th inch of water? I think not. The F55 keeps the tires on the road when you are cresting a rise on the road where a non-F55 would catch some air. It doesn't do squat for hydroplaining...
The F55 logic reacts to wheel movement with respect to the body of the car, regardless of the cause. However, in this case, I would think the AH or TC logic would see that the hydroplaning wheels are not spinning at the same rate as other wheels and act accordingly. The F55 logic shouldn't have anything to do with it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Indy-hp
Hydroplaning is very dangerous, and I would not RELY on the AH to save me, but it is good to know it works when you need it. With their light weight and wide tires, these cars are excellent candidates for hydroplaning. If the tires indeed lose contact with the road, there is nothing AH or the driver can do. Helping the situation some is the nearly even weight distribution, which should help keep the back from snapping around quickly before the driver and the AH can react in time to make a difference. I have driven my C5 and C6 daily drivers in hard rain many times and have never experienced hydroplaning, but I do slow down in those conditions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
Back in the early to mid 60's I was stationed at Paine Field in Everett Washington, I can appreciate the amount of rain that you get as well as the fog.
Best bet in my opinion, slow it down and not worry about the Active Handling to help you. The other thing you've got is all of that darn fog.
Best bet in my opinion, slow it down and not worry about the Active Handling to help you. The other thing you've got is all of that darn fog.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by 06C6Z
And the GY SC tires or horrible in the rain, I can't wait to burn them off when I get a new Corvette. I always replace with Michelin Pilot Sports. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Wide tires + water + speed = hydroplaning. They make the active handling for dummies like me who like to push things sometimes. It's saved mine a couple of times. Great feature on a fast car.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 10
Originally Posted by TMyers
Well last night was a great night. Steady rain for 300 miles, hydroplaning most of the way. It was so bad at time you could turn the wheel (slightly) and continue in a straght line.
Now I have had active handling kick in plenty of time at the limits on dry roads but last night was the first time I have had it get in going straight.
Well I'm driving along and hit a very bad section. Car yaws a little to the left, hydroplaning good when the active handling kicks and takes control. I was not surprised with the hydroplaning but was very surprised when the active handling kicked in. And I must say it did a very good job. I even had the traction control kick in a 60 mph, that is how bad the rain was.
Truth be told last night was not a night to be driving. In hind sight I probably should found a hotel and waited the storm out, but it is still going today. But nothing about the drive was what I would consider dangerous. I'm just really surprised on how well the systems worked and all of them got worked last night.
Now I have had active handling kick in plenty of time at the limits on dry roads but last night was the first time I have had it get in going straight.
Well I'm driving along and hit a very bad section. Car yaws a little to the left, hydroplaning good when the active handling kicks and takes control. I was not surprised with the hydroplaning but was very surprised when the active handling kicked in. And I must say it did a very good job. I even had the traction control kick in a 60 mph, that is how bad the rain was.
Truth be told last night was not a night to be driving. In hind sight I probably should found a hotel and waited the storm out, but it is still going today. But nothing about the drive was what I would consider dangerous. I'm just really surprised on how well the systems worked and all of them got worked last night.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
Originally Posted by 06C6Z
And the GY SC tires or horrible in the rain, I can't wait to burn them off when I get a new Corvette. I always replace with Michelin Pilot Sports.