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#1
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AWD in heavy rain...
I was driving home yesterday in a torrential downpour that was causing several cars to pull off the inter-state due to the poor visibility and treacherous conditions. I continued on but noticed on two occasions when driving through some heavy water, that my steering wheel would get this 'twitch' in it.
Now the car wasn't hyro-planing (Sp?), and it felt more like the AWD system was sending more torque to the front wheels which caused this 'tugging' at my wheel. Has anyone who's driven their AWD SVX in heavy rain or snow experienced this? This is my first AWD car, so the mechanism is still kinda new to me... Thanks! -Chike
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#2
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I have the same problem when driving in heavy rain. You wouldn't think that the car is hydroplaning, but it is. Wet roads are fine, but once you hit a puddle, the wheel tugs one way or the other, depending on which tire hit the puddle. I has been raining like crazy here in Idaho, and all the standing water has led me to believe that I have the same problem as you. Hope this helps.
Keith
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The member formerly known as Civic_Slayer 1992 "Robins egg blue" SVX Originally Claret 147k- CURRENT 1992 Pearly 187K and climbing (11-91) #964 *retired 1992 Pearl SVX 122500 miles #86 FASTAR THAN THE OLD ONE.*SOLD Everytime I get into my car, it always reminds me that it has POWER |
#3
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In heavy rain and standing water, mine does the same thing.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#4
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It never rains here...
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#5
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it's probably not actual hydroplaning, but rolling through water creates a LOT more resistance than rolling on dry pavement. that resistance makes your car try to steer in the direction of the resistance.
Hydroplaning would be if the tire actually lifted off the ground. this only takes in inch or two of water. less will still cause tugging tho. if you feel tugging, slow down . it's bad news, hydroplaning or not.
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IggDawg is cool -IggDawg 1992 Teal SVX LS-L 160k miles 4.11:1 final drive, K&B dropsprings, ART front rotors, stainless steel brake, aluminum underdrive crank pulley, Kuhmo Ecsta Supra 712's, K&N drop-in filter. Previously owned by Alacrity024. FOR SALE 1994 SVX LSi, Barcelona Red #1659, build date 11/93, 117k miles, RIP ECUtune stage 1, bead crush, smallcar shift kit, TB bypass, SS brake lines, silencer removed, alternator and grounding wires, Mobil1 @ 117k |
#6
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That "twitch" almost certainly means one front wheel is hydroplaning, and it actually takes only a fraction of an inch of water, especially with wide tires and at speed, for this to occur.
Years ago in my '86 4WD wagon I failed to disengage the cruise control when I entered a sudden downpour on the highway, and next thing I knew the engine revved madly as the car completely lost traction while the cruise tried to maintain the set speed. Lesson learned: I started shifting into 4WD (and immediately killing the cruise) in anything heavier than a drizzle. All-wheel drive is a great asset in any sort of lousy weather, but one must still exercise care, 'cos if the front wheels lose their bite and the rear wheels don't... dcb |
#7
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Tires make a hugh difference in the amount of tugging. The Conti-ExtremeContacts are great for riding thru puddles. The tug is minimal and I agree that it is from more resistance in the puddle and not hydroplaning in this case. Hydroplaning as pointed out above will raise the tire off the road.
The other aspect of the CoExCo tires is that when driving thru a puddle water no longer splashes out the front of the tire and up over the hood. The tire channles the water away to the sides. Not the best tire for dry traction but great in the snow and water.
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#8
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Thanks guys! I wasn't driving very quickly at all, but it makes sense that the 'tugging' was probably from a lack of traction at one or more wheel.
I'll say this, even with that 'tugging' thing going on, I felt very safe and secure driving with AWD. The SVX is amazing! -Chike
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#9
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You want hydroplaning? Try riding on my 25k mile azenis sports in the rain. It is more like surfing. I need a new set (they aren't much better in rain when new though)
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
#10
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Sounds like it should be the next stunt on Fear Factor!
-Chike Quote:
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#11
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I have felt this too, and i asked the subaru people and they told me the SVX has a early version of the sensi-trac AWD system, the whole 'transfers power from the wheels that slip to the wheels the grip" thing, they told me that the SVX will apply light brake when it loses traction transfering the power slowly to the wheels that are still gripping so that the vehicle will remain stable at its current speed without any excess wheel spin. I tested my car out in a raging downpour, i just pushed harder when i felt that and everyone on the road just got outta the way, never broke traction but i could tell the car was acting different, on one of my videos we go thru some big puddles of standing water, and from just going between dry pavement and puddles i could notice the difference immediatly. Smart little SVX...
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#12
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Very cool! I guess even our early model Subarus are 'driven by what's inside!'
-Chike P.S. Honestly, the technological pedigree of this car never ceases to amaze me! Quote:
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#13
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what never ceases to amaze me is that it only came in automatic.
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#14
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Quote:
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
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