Driving is an everyday experience. Being on the roads always exposes the driver and passengers to the possibilities of incidents and accidents. One contributor of accident is the result of hydroplaning. This refers to the short term or long term lost of vehicular control occurring when the tire of the vehicle looses contact with the road surface, resulting in a collision. Here we discuss ways to identify and prevent your vehicle from hydroplaning.
Track your vehicle’s tire condition
This is possibly the most important rule to remember as a driver and arguably the most important part on a vehicle since it keeps you in contact with the ground. If one isn’t firmly grounded when driving, hydroplaning becomes inevitable when the vehicle comes in contact with wet roads. Many become complacent with just any inflated tire, thinking this will keep them safe on the road. But proper tire threads are needed to keep the car safely on the ground in rainy or dry time.
Track the daily weather
No one necessarily wants to drive in rainy weather. Driving in this condition is only done when there is no other alternative or you were already driving before the rain began. Tracking future weather patterns gives you the opportunity to mentally prepare for the unpredictability of wet driving. Whenever you have the option of driving in dry conditions rather than wet, it is best to choose dry. The unpredictability of weather patterns can also be issue when the dry pavement you are driving on suddenly turns wet because of earlier scattered showers.
Choose all-season tires
All-season tires enables you to be adaptable and maintain control of the vehicle in various weather changes. So instead of having tires perfect for the wet and perform undesirable on dry, you get a tire that is good for transportation all year round.
Have Auto Shop monitor wear pattern of tires
Irregular wear pattern is a major contributor to hydroplaning in rainy weather. This pattern is most often overlooked or goes unrecognized by the everyday driver. An irregular pattern of tire tread wear is often diagnosed by qualified auto mechanics. This irregularity developes overtime from drivers neglecting the maintenance of suspension components, over inflating as well as under inflating tires. When anyone of these three situation arise, it reduces the grooved contact patch of the tire to the ground. Consequently, whenever the road is wet, the tire loses its capability to channel water outwards or inwards way from the vehicle, thus maintaining the driver’s in control of the motor vehicle.
Rotate tires regularly
Frequent tire rotation is another overlooked aspect of car maintenance that can result in a vehicle hydroplaning when the road surface is wet. This practice ensures that the driver get the most possible life and control out of each tire. In addition, it keeps a balanced tread wear pattern on all vehicle wheels (provided the vehicle’s suspension geometry is maintained). Rotating tires along with a quality tire purchase gives a driver added security when driving on the roads.
