Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous.
So
much water can build
up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen
if
the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact
with
the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often.
But
it
can
if
your
tires do not have much tread or
if
the
pressure
in
one or
more is low. It can happen if
a
lot
of water is standing on
the road.
If
you can see reflections
from
trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when
it
is raining.
Driving Through
Deep
Standing Water
NOTICE:
If
you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of
your vehicle.
If
you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather
Tips
0
Besides slowing down,
allow
some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and
be
prepared
to
have your view restricted
by road spray.
0
Have
good
tires
with
proper tread depth. (See
“Tires“
in
the Index.)
4-32
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