Driving Conditions

Conquering the roads.

Hydroplane

When the tread on your vehicle’s tires is unable to filter water out from the area where the tire comes into contact with the road, it causes hydroplaning. When that portion of the tire has a layer of water in between it and the pavement, a vehicle will lose traction and hydroplane.

Numerous variables influence the odds that a tire will hydroplane including:

  • Water depth
  • Speed
  • Weight of the car
  • Tire width
  • Tread depth
  • Tread design
No matter what kind of vehicle or tires you have, you will hydroplane if you hit deep enough water at a certain speed. Usually, cars hydroplane on the highway when they’re moving at a rapid pace and abruptly run into pool of standing water. You will notice a swift jerk of the steering wheel as the car begins to drift towards the puddle. As a result, you should proceed with caution as you approach a puddle. Cars can also hydroplane when rain is pouring so hard that the roadway becomes engulfed by water, and individual puddles have disappeared.

Recognizing the situation

A conscientious driver should realize the prospect of hydroplaning and slow down enough to stop it from happening. If you are inexperienced, the initial clue that you are hydroplaning is that the vehicle is sucked into deeper water, and you begin to lose control. If you come across a gathering of water as you approach a curve, and your steering does not react normally, this may also be an indication that something is wrong. While on a straightaway, slightly wiggling the steering wheel will give you an idea that you are hydroplaning if the car does not respond as it would on dry pavement. This technique should not be tested around a bend. Another method to determine whether your car is hydroplaning is to try and spot your tire tracks in the rainwater on the road behind you. If you can see them, it means your tires are flush with the surface. On the other hand, you know your car is unstable if there is no sign of the tracks in the rear view mirror because your tires are not channeling the water through the treads properly. You should slow down if this is the case.

Stop your vehicle from hydroplaning

Lay off the brakes if you are in the midst of hydroplaning. Gradually lift your foot off the accelerator if you are in an automatic-shift vehicle, or engage the clutch in a standard-shift, and allow the automobile to cruise until it stops hydroplaning. Some experts suggest shifting to neutral if you are driving an automatic, but this may not be such a wise decision because a quick move could create more difficulty for you. You will also be unable to steer as long as the car is still hydroplaning.

Prevent hydroplaning

Always have tires with sufficient tread on your car because the balder they are, the smaller the avenue in the treads they have to guide water through. You can also reduce your speed by about 1/3, and if you are trailing another vehicle in the rain, follow the tracks generated by the car ahead of you. In a sense, you are using the vehicle leading the way to disperse some of the water so that your tires won’t be forced to work as hard.