What Can You Do When Your Car Hydroplanes?
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle is riding on a layer of water instead of the road. This can occur when going through a deep puddle or driving through a big rain storm. The vehicle can loose traction and have trouble steering, braking and accelerating.
When there is a lot of water on the road you should be Slow Down! Think of how you drive on an icy road and you’ll know just what to do!
If your vehicle starts to hydroplane Do Not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the gas to slow down.
- If you need to brake and you have No-ABS Brakes (anti-lock brakes):lightly pump the brakes until you slow down.
- If you do have ABS Brakes, then brake normally and your car will automatically pump the brakes for you.
Don’t take any sharp corners either. Try and drive slow and steady until you can feel your tires grip the road again. Remember your tires have no contact with the road when hydroplaning, so if you start over-steering you could end up off the the road.
Good tires are key to safe driving in the rain. The water on the road needs to go somewhere and tires with good tread will channel the water under the tire so it can grip the road. Less Tread = more chance of hydroplaning.
Increase the distance between you and vehicle in front of you. This gives you more time and distance to stop your car if the vehicle in front of you spins out of control or stops suddenly.
by Amy Mattinat
Have you ever experienced driving a Hydroplaning Vehicle?
July 30th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I have had this experience before in a Nissan v35 skyline (4 doors, 8 speed auto). It did felt like I was driving on ice. The car is a rear wheel drive too. The rear started coming up but I let go off the gas and all was good. That is good advice you have here =)
September 6th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I also had the missfortune of having my car hydroplaning. I was in a ‘99 Rodeo and it was raining. I stopped at a stop sign and as I was turning and taking off the car started spinning out and going on the wrong side of the road so I breaked…and hard. Worst mistake of my life. I woke up on the side of the road all bruised and through a tree. I’m fine now, but I could have used this info before hand.
November 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am
So scary! I had this happen to me this morning, I freaked and the only thing that ran through my mind is, ” It’s going to be so embarrasing if they have to pull me out of a ditch.” I let go of the gas, and tried to steer it into the gas station…as a car was coming out. I think he saw the panic of my face and his instinct was to move out of the way…she lost control!! Once I made it into the gas station. What was I thinking? I could have hit a gas pump or something? Why would I try to steer my out of control pick-up truck into a gas station?!?!? It’s crazy and dumb, but my only reaction was get away from the ditch and telephone pole. I hit my brakes, the truck made an ugly disgruntled sound..but it was okay. Thank God I am too. Good to know..