Make Hydroplaning A Thing Of The Past!

With the rain picking up as we transition into the depths of spring, you’re definitely at more risk of hydroplaning and getting into an accident because of the water that can build up on the road. We do not like this, because we know that you love your vehicle and don’t want anything to happen to it, so we’ve got some tips for staying safe on the road, no matter how wet it might be. Just remember to stay calm, breathe through it, and maybe get yourself a taco or some ice cream as a “good job on driving” present to yourself.

When you start to hydroplane, the most important thing you can do is not panic. Don’t brake or accelerate quickly; because hydroplaning is a loss of traction to your front tires, braking will slow your front tires but lock your rear tires, causing you to spin out. Accelerating suddenly can pull your vehicle straight forward, which is dangerous if your vehicle has spun a little and is not pointed straight down the road.

It’s important to not use your cruise control when you are driving in the rain because this can worsen the effects of hydroplaning. The vehicle will register the buildup of water under your tires as a slowing-down and ask for more power from your engine. This will make your car shift to a lower gear (if you’re in an automatic transmission vehicle) and build up more water underneath your tires.

Avoiding hydroplaning is simple: drive slowly in the rain (slow down by about a third of your usual speed) and make sure that your tires have enough tread. A good test to make sure your tread is good is to use a penny. Place the penny into your tire tread with Lincoln’s head facing the direct center of your wheel. If you can see the top of his head, then it’s time to get new tires. The closer you are to being able to see the top of his head, the closer you are to needing new tires. Simple!

Springtime comes with increased rainfall, and we’re hopeful that you’ll drive safely and avoid hydroplaning through safe driving. Do you have questions? Give us a call!