5.4 Recovering from Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning refers to the sliding of tires across a wet surface and results from a combination of driving too fast, bad tires, and accumulated water on the road. The result is loss of control over steering, braking and power. Although hydroplaning can occur on any wet surface, the first 30 minutes of rain are often the most dangerous.

Hydroplaning occurs when the wheels of the vehicle ride on top of the water, causing the tires to separate from the pavement, resulting in a loss of traction. It can occur when driving at the posted speed, or driving at speed that exceed the limit. As a safety measure, you should slow your speed to a safe speed in rainy conditions, allowing the wheels to maintain contact with the road.

 

If you feel the vehicle start to hydroplane, you should lift off the accelerator slowly and not attempt to brake, as this could cause the vehicle to go completely out of control.

There are several way to avoid hydroplaning:

 

• Stay on top of proper tire maintenance by keeping your tires properly inflated, rotated, and replace tires when necessary.
• Slow down when roads are wet and drive in a lower gear.
• Avoid standing water and puddles.
• Do not drive in outer lanes where water tends to accumulate.
• Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.
• Avoid making sharp or quick turns and hard braking..
• Do not drive through deep water, which can cause your vehicle to stall.

 

Never use your cruise control in the rain. If you hit a puddle of water, the system could cause your vehicle’s wheels to spin and make it impossible to control until the tires drop back down to the pavement.
 

To recover from hydroplaning, you should never turn the wheel suddenly or slam on the brake, as this could put your car into a spin. Instead, ease off of the accelerator to reduce you speed, which will assist your car regaining traction. When braking is unavoidable, hydroplane recovery is possible by lightly pumping the brakes until hydroplaning has stopped. If your vehicle is equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS) the wheel sensors detect the skid condition. Apply the brake pedal firmly and hold it while the ABS does the work.

If you do begin to skid, before turning the car to correct it, steer in the direction of the skid until traction returns. As soon as the tires regain contact with the road surface, brake gently to reduce speed, increase the cushion of space around your vehicle and resume driving but at an adjusted speed.