[utollwi@gmail.com]

Hi,

I just wanted to let the forum know that it seems to be very easy to hydroplane at 50 mph.

Here in the Boston Massachusetts area - the MassDOT do not have the money or the engineering skills to keep the roads paved smooth or the storm drains cleared.

Yesterday in the leftmost lane on I-93 N at the 20.6 mile marker, my new X1 with 3,000 miles on it hydroplaned for about 3 seconds. The front window was completely white - nothing was visible, the car went left, then right, and I felt I was certainly going to hit the wall. Luckily, with both hands on the wheel, DSC and possibly the AWD split - I was able to not have an accident. When the windows cleared I discovered I was riding in the middle of the dotted line separating the two lanes. Everyone slowed down.

I did call the MassDOT (immediately) and I sent them a private Twitter DM - I find it totally inexcusable they would leave the roadways in a condition with a giant puddle like that. These people and their contractors need to go to a first world country like Germany and gain some roadway engineering skills and quality control and maintenance processes. All of my German friends that visit make fun of the Massachusetts roads, signs and safety conditions.

I have the Y Spoke light alloy wheels (Style 566), 18 x 7.5; and 225/50 run-flat1 all-season tires2 Pirelli

7:45AM

The leftmost lane did not have a car in front of me. We were all travelling at about 50mph. Light rain. The traffic was light on July 5th at that time. It's a daily reverse commute for me.

Cruise control was off.

The "wind shield" and view forward was completely white. This car does not like large puddles at 50mph.

I don't remember seeing the DSC light flash etc.

USA X1 with every option but Sport package.

[E90Fleet]

Size and make of tires you have fitted ?

[LSU Tiger Wes]

Unfortunately we must accept the reality of sub-standard roadway conditions in this country - we as a people have not prioritized funding for infrastructure. I know it is easy for us to want blame someone (or something) else, but ultimately it is up us to respond appropriately to roadway conditions and maintain control of our vehicle. When I was a kid I once hydroplaned off the roadway because, quite simply, I was driving like a kid and traveling too fast for the conditions. Can't pin it on anyone or anything else. Luckily there was not much other traffic on the road and open grassy area on both sides, so the only consequence was needing a front-end alignment from hitting the curb and the damage to my pride.

Your post is not very clear. What were the weather conditions at the time? What time of day was it? Did you not see the pool of pool of water before you encountered it? You said "the front window was completely white." Do you mean when you hit the water it splashed up, completely covering your windshield? It seems like that would have to be a very large, visible pool of water, no? Was cruise control on?

I find my X1 to be very sure-footed in inclement weather. That said, hydroplaning can occur at any speed above approximately 35 MPH. When your vehicle begins to hydroplane, it is important you not accelerate, brake or steer abruptly. Take your foot off the accelerator (or brake) and maintain course.

[Les Paul]

Scarey stuff !

Coincidently Your thread reminded me of something that happened to me last week.
I was driving back from southern France and had been going 6 or 7 hours and hit a sudden ,massive deluge on the autoroute (great roads, well engineered and surfaced!) I was doing 80mph/130km ish and imediately slowed to about 50-60 mph as there was obvious standing water and little visibilty. (even the French drivers slowed down !)

Handling fealt fine and fully in control. I then noticed a speed warning on the dash - (too fast slow down or something like that). Even later when I dropped to 40mph the message wouldn't clear. I could not clear the message or access any other "trip/speed limit/MPG " data (even driving at low speed on a dry road) - the message was locked on the dash. I stopped at a toll after a few more miles, switched on/off and it cleared and all functions returned to the trip display.
I remember thinking at the time ...I wonder if the car can detect aquaplaning and warn accordingly ?

It does occasionaly ask me if I want to stop for a coffee or something (after about 3 hours of driving)

I guess your X1 did not display a similar warning ?

[LSU Tiger Wes]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

It does occasionaly ask me if I want to stop for a coffee or something (after about 3 hours of driving)

I remember thinking that was neat the first time it popped up! I'm not sure what triggers it. I've had it pop up after driving for over 4-5ish hours but also once after driving for 1.5-2ish hours. During the latter of which I was reaching behind me with one arm to try and fish something out of my bag. Not sure if it is time-based or based on steering input (drifting/swerving, etc.).

[LSU Tiger Wes]

OP, thanks for adding the additional info. Sounds like you'll be more careful to avoid lakes in the middle of roadways in the future!

[ando]

I have the Pirelli Cinturato P7 all season run flats on my X1 and I had them on 2013 328i and find them to be fine in the rain and light snow but be careful with heavy downpours.

[VTECaddict]

If the puddle was big enough to throw water on the windshield, no car would be able to go through that at 50mph and maintain 100% control.

[ttimbo]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

If the puddle was big enough to throw water on the windshield, no car would be able to go through that at 50mph and maintain 100% control.

That's what I was thinking. As described, this sure isn't an issue with the X1 or, indeed, any car. It's certainly a dangerous road design/maintenance issue and all cars will aquaplane in such conditions.

[logansdad2015]

Just wanted to chime in and say that it definitely sounds like the lack of road maintenance more than anything. I've been living in Germany for almost two years now and although it seems like the autobahn is ALWAYS under construction, you do notice how well the roads are maintained (as well as in other European countries).

My only issue is how many bugs come out during the spring and summer time, which means you get a dirty car really quick!

[pbjjj]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

If the puddle was big enough to throw water on the windshield, no car would be able to go through that at 50mph and maintain 100% control.

I would also agree that if there was that much water, I don't know if there is any car that would not hydroplane going 50mph in such condition.

Moral of the story is to slow down and drive carefully in increment weather given that much of the road condition in this country is poor... I always refer to the roads in the DC area as the Moon surface.

[giuseppemas]

On Dec 16 2021 my BMW x1 model 2021 did exacrtly what the user drescribed in 2016. BMW has not fixed the hydroplanning from 2016,
I am alive by miracle, why didn't somebody prevent me to almost die with Hydroplanning by starting a class action?

[CnSky]

This is a hilarious thread, it's BMWs fault you hydroplaned after driving into a huge puddle 😂😂 gimme a break!!

Snowflake generation at its best!!

[giuseppemas]

There were cars before and after faster than me, nobody Hyproplaned!
The DSC ABS light didn't turn on!

[jrveron]

Guys, the problem is the run-flats. Curious thing, I drove a 3-series and a Mini with the same Cinturatto P7 run-flat tires (225 wide), and they both handle better than my X1 with the same tires.

The X1 is prone to aquaplaning with pretty much any puddle of water above 45 mph. And even on normal roads, no rain, if you push it, those tires lose traction very easily. In my case, FWD X1 with an ECU tune, is even more notorious.

The solution is to change tires. I put Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 255/40r19 XL (extra load for more rigid sidewalk) on 19x8.5" wheels. Now it handles way better than before, like a completely different animal.

Take a look at this thread for more info about non-RFT tires: https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1729957

[Viltronian]

Just get some nicer tires and floor that car out of the puddle!

[Millie]

Originally Posted by giuseppemas

On Dec 16 2021 my BMW x1 model 2021 did exacrtly what the user drescribed in 2016. BMW has not fixed the hydroplanning from 2016,
I am alive by miracle, why didn't somebody prevent me to almost die with Hydroplanning by starting a class action?

Are you serious?

[amancuso]

This is the dumbest thread ever. It's possible there was a slick on the highway. Hydroplaning is usually down to worn or poorly designed tires.

**EDIT: Sorry for the harsh words.

https://www.markelinsurance.com/reso.../hydroplaining

https://www.safemotorist.com/article...laning-basics/

[giuseppemas]

I am a mechanical engineer, when a car START SPINNING SO MUCH LIKE MY BMW DID, IT IS ABS REALATRED AND ELECTRONICS THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED. I hope BMW engineers allow me to explain what could be wrong in their control system.

[Millie]

Originally Posted by giuseppemas

I am a mechanical engineer, when a car START SPINNING SO MUCH LIKE MY BMW DID, IT IS ABS REALATRED AND ELECTRONICS THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED. I hope BMW engineers allow me to explain what could be wrong in their control system.

It's the tires and road surface, not your BMW.

But go ahead and tell BMW engineers what's wrong with their product.