Hydroplaning occurs when water gets in front of your tires faster than the weight of your vehicle can push it out of the way . ... When this occurs, in less than a second you lose contact with the road and effectively become a water-skier!
What is hydroplaning and what do you do if it happens?
Hydroplaning occurs when a tire encounters more water than it can scatter . Water pressure in the front of the wheel pushes water under the tire, and the tire is then separated from the road surface by a thin film of water and loses traction. The result is loss of steering, braking and power control.
What happens if you hydroplane?
Because hydroplaning leads to a loss of traction to front tires , in most situations sudden braking slows the front tires and locks the rear tires. That can lead to a spin out. Also, sudden acceleration can pull the vehicle ahead, which especially dangerous if it’s pointed at a hazard ahead.
Do you speed up when hydroplaning?
Reduce your Speed
As soon as the first drops hit your windshield, slow your speed considerably. It is best to drive five to ten miles slower than the speed limit, even slower in heavy rain or windy conditions. Sudden increases in speed , such as those required to pass, put you at a greater danger of hydroplaning.
How do you know if you’re hydroplaning?
Or maybe you’ve driven through a big puddle a little too quickly and felt your back wheels sway from side to side? If you’ve felt one of these sensations while on the road, chances are your car was hydroplaning — or riding on the surface of the water instead of on the pavement.
At what speed does hydroplaning occur?
Vehicle speed – always slow down when it’s wet. Hydroplaning can occur at any speed under the right combination of conditions, but some sources define higher speeds as over 40 mph .
What four things should you do if you find yourself hydroplaning?
- Remain calm and slow down. Avoid the natural urge to slam on your brakes. ...
- Use a light pumping action on the pedal if you need to brake. If you have anti-lock brakes, you can brake normally.
- Once you’ve regained control of your car, take a minute or two to calm yourself down.
What’s the lowest speed hydroplaning can occur?
Depending on the condition of the tires, their design and the amount of water on the road, hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 45 mph .
Do lowered cars hydroplane easier?
Slow down . If you drive 35 mph or slower, you’re less likely to hydroplane because your tires get more traction on wet pavement at lower speeds. Lowering your speed will also give you enough time to react to standing water, sudden traffic slowdowns, disabled cars and any debris that’s been blown into the road.
Does AWD prevent hydroplaning?
Subaru All Wheel Drive (AWD) can pull power away from hydroplaning tires . You will have more control during a tire blow out; the all wheel drive system will pull power away from that wheel, reducing the likelihood of a skid.
What are three ways to escape hydroplaning?
- Don’t use cruise control in the rain. ...
- Make sure your tires have adequate tread. ...
- Rotate your tires. ...
- Don’t wait until your tires are on their death bed to replace. ...
- Avoid standing water and puddles.
- Drive at a safe speed. ...
- Pay attention to the cars in front of you. ...
- Don’t hit the brakes.
How do you recover from hydroplaning?
- Keep the wheels straight and reduce speed — This allows the tires and the road to re-gain contact.
- Do not brake or turn — Rather, ease your foot off the gas until you feel the road again.
How can you lower the risk of hydroplaning?
- Slow down. You’ll reduce the risk of hydroplaning by slowing down when it rains or you suspect there are puddles on the road. ...
- Avoid using cruise control on wet roads. ...
- Avoid ruts. ...
- Monitor tire wear. ...
- Avoid puddles. ...
- Avoid splashing pedestrians.
What are the four steps to successful passing?
- Scan for hazards, e.g., oncoming vehicles, vehicles approaching from rear, merging vehicles;
- Check for blind spots;
- Signal your intention and accelerate into passing lane;
- Accelerate quickly to an appropriate speed;
- Concentrate on the path ahead;
- Check the mirror for following cars.
Does insurance cover hydroplane accident?
Does auto insurance cover hydroplane accidents? Depending on your policy, your auto insurance may cover hydroplane accidents . If you get into an accident due to your car hydroplaning, collision coverage would cover damage to your vehicle.
What is the see strategy?
The SEE system is a defensive driving strategy that allows you to avoid collisions , by keeping the space around your vehicle free from obstacles – it is a space management system. ... The SEE system will also help you to avoid a collision in the face of unavoidable dangers, which do sometimes occur.
