How to Prevent Hydroplaning

The Lowcountry receives its fair share of rainfall, with frequent showers and storms making a sturdy umbrella a year-round staple. While a forgotten umbrella is an inconvenience when wet weather strikes, there’s more at risk as residents hit the highway. If tires lose contact with the road, vehicles may start to hydroplane, causing drivers to lose control. Here at Hoover Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Summerville, we’ve provided details about hydroplaning – and how proper vehicle maintenance can help prevent it!  

What Causes a Vehicle to Hydroplane?

There are three main components to consider:

• Vehicle speed
• Tire tread depth
• Water depth

Tread grooves in your tires are designed to channel water away from the center, allowing your vehicle to maintain traction with the road. But fast speeds, insufficient tire tread and deep water can all cause a vehicle to start to hydroplane.  

Ways to Prevent Hydroplaning

A rainy forecast can turn your commute into a nightmare, but these tips can help prevent hydroplaning and help you reach your destination safely.

• Check your tire tread depth. A tread depth gauge can help determine when it’s time to replace your tires. Worn tires decrease the tread blocks’ ability to channel water away effectively and reduce contact with the road.

• Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, factoring in traffic slow downs and potentially flooded roads.

• Slow down. You’re less likely to hydroplane at speeds below 35mph. Also keep in mind that wet roads significantly impact stopping distance, and that you should maintain about twice as much distance between your car and the one in front of you in rainy conditions.

• Don’t use cruise control. While helpful for maintaining a constant speed, cruise control isn’t ideal on wet roads. Your car may recognize the accumulation of water as resistance, causing the tires to spin faster to stay up to speed.

• Let other drivers do the work for you. Try to drive in the tire tracks left behind by the vehicle in front of you.

• Avoid puddles or standing water. It’s difficult to tell how deep a puddle is or how quickly water is moving, so do your best to avoid water on the road.

 

What to Do If You Hydroplane

If you start to hydroplane, the most important thing to do is remember to stay calm. Keep these tips in mind as well:

• Take your foot off the accelerator but DO NOT slam on the brakes. Ease off the gas and then, if you have anti lock brakes, brake normally and regain control of your vehicle.

• Gently turn your steering wheel in the direction you’re sliding. While this seems counterintuitive, it is, in fact, the best way to regain control.

 

About Hoover Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Summerville

Our qualified, experienced service technicians are committed to keeping you safe – especially on wet roads. To avoid hydroplaning and to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, we recommend sticking to the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual. Call today to schedule your service appointment!