HydroplaningHydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build upunder your tires that they can actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road is wet enough andyou are going fast enough. When your vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if yourtires do not have much tread or if the pressure inone or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water isstanding on the road. If you can see reflectionsfrom trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, andraindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could behydroplaning.Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. Therejust is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.Driving Through Deep Standing WaterNotice: If you drive too quickly through deeppuddles or standing water, water can come inthrough your engine’s air intake and badly damageyour engine. Never drive through water that isslightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.If you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,drive through them very slowly.Driving Through Flowing Water{CAUTION:Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.If you try to drive through flowing water, asyou might at a low water crossing, your vehiclecan be carried away. As little as six inchesof flowing water can carry away a smallervehicle. If this happens, you and other vehicleoccupants could drown. Do not ignore policewarning signs, and otherwise be very cautiousabout trying to drive through flowing water.Some Other Rainy Weather Tips• Turn on your low-beam headlamps — not just yourparking lamps — to help make you more visible toothers.• Besides slowing down, allow some extra followingdistance. And be especially careful when youpass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clearroom ahead, and be prepared to have yourview restricted by road spray.• Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tireson page 5-60.4-32
