Re: Lower Valence/Hydroplaning

["Gary Derian" <gderian@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am a tire engineer.  The testing I've done indicated that there is very
little difference between directional tires mounted frontwards or backwards.
Tires do not spin against the road so the grooves don't pump water to the
sides.

Your problem is that you had the new tires mounted on the front.  They
drained well and the rear tires hydroplaned and caused you to spin out.  The
tire dealer should have known better even if you requested new tires for the
front.  If the front tires hydroplane, you would lose steering but go
straight.

Gary Derian <gderian@domain.elided>


> Looking for the lower front valence panel for my black 1991 325i.  Any
ideas
> other than BAV (prefer a perfect condition used one)  also wondering how
big
> the replacement job is.
>
> i was driving in heavy rain with a new set of Goodyear Eagle HP on the
> front.  The shop managed to install these directional tires completely
wrong
> direction, and I feel strongly that is why I hydroplaned off the highway
> after doing a nice 360 in the center lane late at night!!!  That's how the
> valence got bashed up.  Anyone else have a similar experience?  Now using
> Mich Energy MXV4 and have driven in similar conditions w/ no problems
> whatsoever.
>

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