Hydroplaning occurs when your tires hit more water than they can dispense, causing the tires to lose contact with the road, and slide over the surface of the water. The water pressure on the front of the wheels will form a layer of water under the tires, causing the car to lose control. Learning how to prevent hydroplanning will save you from future harm when you drive a car in bad weather. While this can be a scary experience, it is very important that you stay calm.
Step
Method 1 of 3: How to Drive to Avoid Hydroplaning
Step 1. Be careful the first few minutes when it starts to rain
The first ten minutes are the most dangerous. This is because when it rains, the water will mix with dirt, oil and particles on the road, creating a very slippery layer.
- When it starts to rain, drive slowly and watch out for other cars that are slipping.
- Heavy rain after some time will clear the roads so that conditions become safer at that time.
Step 2. Slow down when the weather is wet
The faster you go, the harder it is for your tires to maintain traction with the road. If the wheel hits a puddle, it may slip. So it is very important to drive slowly in rainy weather, even if visibility is still good.
- It's okay to walk under the speed limit on a rainy day. Don't go slower than the flow of traffic, but you don't have to go 70 miles per hour on the expressway in the rain..
- It's important to walk slowly if you see a puddle.
Step 3. Avoid passing through puddles
This is a location where you may experience hydroplaning, as the tires have a hard time maintaining traction with the road. Puddles can't always be seen, so be careful and slow your pace, as obstacles and puddles start to appear.
- Puddles usually form at the side of the road, so walk a bit to the center.
- Try driving to follow the tracks of the car in front of you. This will reduce the chance of too much water in front of your wheels which could cause you to lose control.
- Make sure your wipers are working properly. Poor vision when it rains can cause accidents because you can hardly see standing water.
Step 4. Turn off cruise control
If you are driving on the expressway and using cruise control, turn it off when it rains. You will be more able to feel the road conditions when the cruise control is off. If you have to reduce speed immediately, it's easier if your foot is already on the brake pedal.
Step 5. Try using a low gear
This will help you gain traction more easily and prevent you from walking too fast. Although it is a bit difficult to implement on the highway, if you are on a road with a lower speed limit, driving in low gear will provide safety for you when turning or going downhill without hydroplaning.
Step 6. Walk slowly and be careful not to slip, and apply steady pressure on the gas or brake pedal
When you brake, don't step too hard, pump slowly. If your car is equipped with ABS, you can brake as usual. Make sure the wheels are not locked when braking, because you will slip.
- Avoid sudden acceleration and brakes, don't make sudden turns, because they can throw you off the track.
- Be extra careful on bumpy roads, drive gently.
Method 2 of 3: Getting Control Back During Hydroplaning
Step 1. Understand what happens when you slip
When hydroplaning, a lot of water builds up under the tires so the tires lose contact with the road surface. The car will run improperly, depending on how you drive and which wheel is hydroplaning.
- If your car is going straight, you will feel the car shift in the other direction.
- If the rotating wheel is hydroplaning, the speedometer and RPM may increase because the wheel will spin.
- If the front wheels are hydroplaning, the car will slip out of the corner.
- If the rear wheels experience hydroplaning, the rear of the car will shift to the side.
- if all the wheels are hydroplaned, the car will shift in a straight line.
Step 2. Keep calm and wait for the car to stop skidding
When the car starts to skid, this can cause panic. The car will feel out of control and your reflexes will cause you to do something reckless. Don't panic and stay focused. You just have to wait for the car to stop skidding, and regain control. No matter how your car skidded, you can apply these same steps to regain control.
- Remember that hydroplaning can only happen a second before the car regains traction. Waiting is the best way to deal with this problem.
- Do not apply the brakes or turn the steering wheel, as this can make you lose control even more.
Step 3. Lift your foot off the gas pedal
Pressing the gas while skidding will make you lose control and make the situation worse. Don't hit the gas, and wait a while when you regain control.
- If you are braking when you start skidding, release the brake slightly until you come to a stop.
- If you are driving a manual car, release the clutch.
Step 4. Point the steering wheel in the direction you want to go
Hold the steering wheel tightly and steer the car carefully in the right direction. This technique is called "driving while skidding" and it's a great way to regain control when slipping. You may have to correct the direction of movement of the car several times as you regain traction.
Don't turn too sharp or you'll turn too much. Moving the steering wheel left and right will make the car spin out of control. Grip the steering wheel tightly and turn it in small turns
Step 5. Brake carefully
Do not brake suddenly when hydroplaning, because the car can get out of control. If you can wait until you stop slipping this is the best way. But if you have to brake while skidding, do so in a pumping motion until the tires regain traction..
If you have ABS brake normally, because the car will automatically pump the brakes
Method 3 of 3: Make Sure Tires Are In Good Condition
Step 1. Make sure your tires are still good
Tires that are bald or tread that are nearly gone will have a hard time maintaining traction on the road, especially when the road is wet. Using bald tires makes you more susceptible to hydroplaning (as well as other problems like skidding and flat tires). Wherever you live, you're bound to experience rainy weather from time to time, so make sure your tires are in good condition.
Tires that are worn out will be more susceptible to hydroplaning because the tread is already thin. Half inflated tires are less likely to hydroplan at 3-4 miles per hour compared to cars with good tires
7#*New tires have a tread depth of about 8mm, and as time passes, they will wear out. When the tread depth is only 1.5 mm, this tire is considered unsafe to use.
Step 1.
- You can determine if your tires are still good by checking the tire wear indicators on the tires. Federal vehicle safety standards require tire manufacturers to produce indicators that show tire wear limits. If the indicator is visible, then it's time to replace your tires.
- Try the trick with penny coins to see the depth of the tread.. If you can't find the tire wear indicator, plug it in and see the top of the head, it's time to change the tire. If the head is still covered, you can still wear the tire.
Step 2. Rotate the tire if necessary
Tire rotation is a way to ensure that your tires wear evenly. The type of car and the way you drive will cause some wheels to wear out faster than others. By rotating the tires, the wear will be more evenly distributed and the tires will last longer. Take it to a repair shop to check if the tires need to be rotated.
- Usually tire rotation is done every 3000 miles. If you're not sure if the wheel is rotated, just do it, it's nothing to lose.
- Front-wheel drive cars will require more frequent tire rotations, as the front tires will wear out more quickly.
Step 3. Make sure your tires are inflated properly
Tires that are under-inflated will tend to hydroplan more easily, as it is difficult to maintain traction on the road. Under-inflated tires can also fold in the middle, causing water to get trapped in this area. Changes in temperature can also change the wind pressure on the wheels. So, it's important to check your tire pressure regularly, every few months, check your tire pressure to make sure it has enough pressure.
- Each car will be different, so check your car's manual for the correct tire pressure.
- If necessary, inflate your tires according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Tips
- It is better to prevent hydroplaning by making sure all tires are in good condition, and by driving slowly in the rain. In general, you should drive at a speed one-third of normal weather.
- Airplane tires can also experience hydroplaning. Handling that situation
- The gaps in the tire tread are useful for getting rid of water, but sometimes there is so much water that the tires can't get rid of it. Release the gas pedal slowly, so the tires regain traction.
Warning
- Do not use cruise control in heavy rain. Your car will recognize standing water as an obstacle and the engine will actually add power.
- Don't brake suddenly. Sudden brakes will cause the wheels to lock and make the car more difficult to control.
- Electronic stability control or ESC, and ABS, anti-lock brakes are no substitute for careful driving. The ESC will help, however, if the wheels are still gaining traction on the road.
