Posted by Michael Serra on March 01, 1998 at 03:06:31:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Potenza RE92 posted by Matt on May 20, 1997 at 10:16:29:
I recently bought a '95 Maxima with Potenza RE92's on the rear. I measured 5/32" tread on the tire (legal min. in MA is 2/32") and metioned it to the dealer. He assured me that the tires had "plenty of good rubber." Trusting his years of experience, I bought the car with the tires. The first time I drove it in the rain, I noticed how easily it hydroplaned, and how difficult it was to regain control. I thought it was the vehicle.
Recently, I got into an accident due to hydroplaning which caused over $6,000 damage to my Maxima. It began when the rear of the vehicle began to fishtail in the rain (RE92's are on the rear).
A friend of mine has the same model and year vehicle. He has not had problems hydroplaning on his Eagle GT2's. I thought I should get new tires. When I began to speak to tire salespeople, I found that the Potenza RE92 is notorious for hydroplaning. Many people are replacing them lest they cause the problem I had.
Now I am finding you people having the same problems.
I am currently looking for enough evidence to prove to the state that these tires are likely to hydroplane. I am being surcharged for this "offense" (accident) and am being force to take a driver retraining course because of it.
If anyone knows of an "expert" who has researched tires and knows of the Potenza RE92 hydroplaning problem, please inform me.