How to Avoid Hydroplaning

Driving in the rain can be a harrowing experience, but it becomes considerably more so if you are going too fast. A wedge of water builds up in front of your tires, and if you go too fast, the tires themselves can actually begin spinning on the surface of the water. If you have ever had this experience before, you know that hydroplaning feels like driving on ice--a terrifying situation you want to avoid at all costs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tires with sufficient treads

Prevent the Problem

1. Slow down when it starts to rain. High speeds are the number one cause of hydroplaning, and slower speeds can help you avoid the issue before it arises.

2. Rotate your tires and replace them when the tread becomes worn. Treads are supposed to shunt water away from the wheels--once they wear down, you are far more likely to lose control.

3. Turn off cruise control at the first sign of rain! This otherwise convenient driving system can be deadly if it continues spinning the tires while you are hydroplaning.

Handle the Problem

4. Take your foot off the accelerator as soon as you feel the car hydroplaning. Slowing down in this way is far preferable to slamming on the brakes, which in non-ABS-equipped cars can send you into a deadly skid.

5. Turn in the direction you are drifting to get the maximum friction from all four tires. If you need to avoid an obstacle, tap the brakes.

6. Wait until you can feel the road again beneath your car. The effect should be instantaneous and easy to sense, like you have once again landed on pavement.

7. Proceed with caution and test the brakes periodically to ensure that they aren't flooded.

Tips & Warnings

• Driving responses can become automatic if you practice them. Practice driving in the rain and skidding your car in an abandoned parking lot to get a better feel for the way it handles.
• If all else fails and you actually do get into an accident, stay calm and pull off the road. Then, avoid future collisions by activating your hazards or lighting road flares.
• Know whether your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS) or not! This information will affect the way you handle hydroplaning.
• Don't assume that because it has stopped raining, you are out of danger. Standing water in depressions along the road can still pose serious danger if you aren't prepared.

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[Soulsearcher83]

on 11/21/2008 Your first instinct is to hit the brakes but that's actually the worst thing you can do, like you said. Good article and safety tips. I think new drivers should especially read this advice.

[neilj]

on 8/10/2008 Hi, Fadil Salih.

Tire Chains are made for cutting through snow and ice. They can quickly damage clean pavement, so they are usually illegal to use when there is no snow or ice, or after a certain date at the end of winter, depending on municipality. Compared to rubber, they have less traction on wet and dry roads.

For rain, the best tire-strategy is a properly inflated tire, and not driving too fast. I always tell the tire-salesman that I want tires with very-good hydroplaning performance. Once, it required a special order (Michellin upgrades that I loved). The last time, the service station got me Coopers, which have been OK. Hydroplaning is still possible; you still have to be careful.

-N-

[neilj]

on 8/10/2008 "Practice in an empty parking lot" is good advice for practicing skidding on snow & ice, if you can find one big and empty enough.

Skidding on snow & ice can happen at very slow speeds. That is different than hydroplaning, which I've never felt at speeds slower than 45, and I hope to never experience when going any faster.

At those speeds, it's not likely there's a parking lot big enough to experience hydroplaning, with room to spare for "learning" the appropriate maneuvers.

My advice is to recognize "slow" drivers in the rain as the experienced angels that're saving your life, pull behind them, and leave a respectful distance between you.

-Neil-

[fadil.salih]

on 8/10/2008 Thank you for the great advice.
Is there any place for tyre chains, such as those used on icy roads? So one can use them along the heavy rain season ...

[Hode]

on 8/8/2008 I had my second car accident as a young driver going too fast in the rain. I wish I had known this advice. Now I never speed in the rain.