If you start to hydroplane on the highway, what is the best thing to do?

1. 69

   pitzeleposted 13 years ago

   If you start to hydroplane on the highway, what is the best thing to do?
   
   

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2. 82

   K9keystrokesposted 13 years ago

   I have done some research on the topic a few months ago, and this is what I found; When rain or standing water beads up between your tires and the road your car begins to glide uncontrollably, which is called hydroplaning. This is one of the more dangerous situations to find yourself living out. The steering wheel feels loose, unresponsive and you have lost steering control of your forward moving vehicle...this is a very bad situation. Your best chance for an effective outcome is to lift your foot from the accelerator pedal and slow down. Do not put your foot on the brake. Continue driving at a slower speed keeping the car heading in the right direction as much as is possible (you may feel the car drifting, but don't freak out). As the car slows down the weight becomes more dense and gravity will push the vehicle tighter to the road surface, allowing you to gain back some steering control. Eventually the car will return completely back to your control. If the rain or weather becomes far to heavy, you need to pull off of the road into a rest stop, gas station or any other populated location. If nothing is around pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you. When the rain subsides continue safely on your way.
   Something worth mentioning is that deep-tread tires sluff off the excess water while low tread or worn tires trap the water increasing the hydroplaning probability. Keeping your tires in good condition and running on the proper tire for the season can help prevent hydroplaning.
   Hope this helpls.
   K9

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3. 59

   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   lift your feet from the brake and gas and let the car slow down. DO NOT  hit the brake pedal.

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4. 0

   skymasterposted 13 years ago

   Do not change the throttle pressure and do not apply brakes. No mater what electronic aids you have, when hydroplaning(or else aquaplaning) the car can`t help you if all the tires are  not touching the surface. Try to maintain your directional control and same engine power and just wait...The forward momentum and gravity will force the tires to touch tarmac again and regain grip, but if you try to over correct your direction by steering too much while aquaplaning , the tires when they touch the surface again will be at such angle that you will end up t o the barriers.
   
   Very crucial is to check your tire pressure in such conditions. Too high pressure (normal 30-32 psi but 33-34 in the tire) will result to reduced grip. I myself would prefer the lowest normal pressure for the tires depending on the load, for that situations.

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