quote:
Read my post again... The rear tires had 1/32" less tread than the fronts. Actual tread depth was 4/32" and 5/32". Yes, I was traveling too fast when I hit the standing water. That happens... Should the car go to an extreme oversteer condition when it happens?
Sorry, Vader, yes, I was reading that too fast.
First of all, a 1/32" difference in tread depth between front and rear seems negligible to me, unless very little tread is all that's left.
When your car begins to hydroplane, the only way to let the tires grip is to let the car slow down. The car will normally not start over or understeering by itself, unless you attempt to steer while the car is hydroplaning.
I'm sure weight distribution of the car matters. What's the ratio for your Impala?
I asked Gary at the Tirerack and this is what he said:
"Easier to control understeer than oversteer for most... this is why rear is recommended. Also on a wet skid pad in testing, the vehicle with new tires on the rear and worn on front could go faster while maintaining control than the car with worn tires on rear and new on front.
Keep in mind if this is a quatto car this might be a moot point as Audi says all tires need to be within 4/32nds of each other."
Maybe I once again over-estimated common sense in most drivers. ;-) In all my years of driving, I've encountered hydroplaning only at high speeds on straight stretches of road, never in curves. My concluison is that anyone should try their car out on a test track anyway. I know I'll try with more tread on the rear than fornt next time I get around to it. Maybe I'll even change my evil ways, if I like what I find.