Does ABS / ASC operate when aqua-planing?
Discussion
On my Mini Cooper S (R56) yesterday I was driving through torrential rain on the motorway. At one point, I came across a wide flood of water at approx 70mph. I didn’t brake and held the steering relatively gently but firm enough to maintain it straight, in anticipation of the tug that might come when I hit the water. I came off the throttle before hitting it.
I hit the water, and it did indeed significantly drag on the car, although it was fairly even left to right. However, I’m fairly certain that the braking kicked in to some extent, as the car went skitterish, but it appeared to be caused by the wheels locking - not the fact it was / may have been aqua-planing somewhat.
Apparently my car has “Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) & Automatic Stability Control (ASC)”. Am I right in thinking the system did / might have braked the wheels? To be honest it worried me as IMO that could have led to a spin rather than prevented one. Ie if it braked some of the wheels independently of each other it would / could have caused (in this scenario) a pull on one side that could induce a spin that wasn’t going to occur.
Thoughts?
I hit the water, and it did indeed significantly drag on the car, although it was fairly even left to right. However, I’m fairly certain that the braking kicked in to some extent, as the car went skitterish, but it appeared to be caused by the wheels locking - not the fact it was / may have been aqua-planing somewhat.
Apparently my car has “Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) & Automatic Stability Control (ASC)”. Am I right in thinking the system did / might have braked the wheels? To be honest it worried me as IMO that could have led to a spin rather than prevented one. Ie if it braked some of the wheels independently of each other it would / could have caused (in this scenario) a pull on one side that could induce a spin that wasn’t going to occur.
Thoughts?
You know the first comment will be to slow down, but I'm sure you already know that.
DSC will work when aquaplaning as the car doesn't know it is aquaplaning. I imagine though it will also help prevent a spin if it gets you into one. I've not had any issues with standing water in BMWs with DSC. The system isn't all that bad really, and it's something I'd much rather have than not.
DSC will work when aquaplaning as the car doesn't know it is aquaplaning. I imagine though it will also help prevent a spin if it gets you into one. I've not had any issues with standing water in BMWs with DSC. The system isn't all that bad really, and it's something I'd much rather have than not.
No reason that DSC should cause an issue when you're aquaplaning, try a skid pan day to experience how it works in ultra-low/zero grip conditions, it's quite an eye opener!
Modern DSC systems are a world away from the clunky old traction control systems that genuinely could bugger things up in marginal conditions by cutting power at the worst possible moment.
Modern DSC systems are a world away from the clunky old traction control systems that genuinely could bugger things up in marginal conditions by cutting power at the worst possible moment.
CoolHands said:
On my Mini Cooper S (R56) yesterday I was driving through torrential rain on the motorway. At one point, I came across a wide flood of water at approx 70mph. I didn’t brake and held the steering relatively gently but firm enough to maintain it straight, in anticipation of the tug that might come when I hit the water. I came off the throttle before hitting it.
I hit the water, and it did indeed significantly drag on the car, although it was fairly even left to right. However, I’m fairly certain that the braking kicked in to some extent, as the car went skitterish, but it appeared to be caused by the wheels locking - not the fact it was / may have been aqua-planing somewhat.
Apparently my car has “Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) & Automatic Stability Control (ASC)”. Am I right in thinking the system did / might have braked the wheels? To be honest it worried me as IMO that could have led to a spin rather than prevented one. Ie if it braked some of the wheels independently of each other it would / could have caused (in this scenario) a pull on one side that could induce a spin that wasn’t going to occur.
Thoughts?
Perhaps you need to read up on how such systems work. They do not simply "brake the wheels". They have control over each individual wheel and can apply braking force to these independently to try and help retain control of the vehicle. And they are extremely good systems.I hit the water, and it did indeed significantly drag on the car, although it was fairly even left to right. However, I’m fairly certain that the braking kicked in to some extent, as the car went skitterish, but it appeared to be caused by the wheels locking - not the fact it was / may have been aqua-planing somewhat.
Apparently my car has “Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) & Automatic Stability Control (ASC)”. Am I right in thinking the system did / might have braked the wheels? To be honest it worried me as IMO that could have led to a spin rather than prevented one. Ie if it braked some of the wheels independently of each other it would / could have caused (in this scenario) a pull on one side that could induce a spin that wasn’t going to occur.
Thoughts?
Although applying brakes if aquaplaning...isnt really going to do that much persay...because you've no grip anyway as you're aquaplaning
If anything coming off the throttle might stand more chance of encouraging a spin under such circumstances than maintaining a steady light throttle.
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