What Is Hydroplaning? Causes and Prevention Tips
Hydroplaning is the loss of traction that occurs when your vehicle's tires ride on top of a layer of water instead of making contact with the road surface. Recognizing the conditions that cause it and knowing how to respond can help you stay safe on wet roads.
What Is Hydroplaning?
Your tires need friction with the pavement to maintain control. Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds between your tires and the road surface, causing you to lose that traction. The result is a sliding motion where your vehicle is no longer responding to steering or braking input.
Your car may occasionally hydroplane for a few seconds without you noticing, depending on your speed and direction of travel. For example, you can lose traction from a stoplight if you accelerate too quickly and your tires can't displace the water fast enough. You'll spin the tires briefly before enough water clears for traction to return.
Several factors can increase your chances of hydroplaning, including vehicle weight. Heavier vehicles are less likely to hydroplane than lighter ones, although the risk never disappears entirely. If there's enough standing water on the road, nearly any vehicle can hydroplane.
Tire sipes and grooves within the tread are responsible for channeling water away from the center of your tire to promote traction. However, they can only work when your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires cannot maintain optimal contact with the road, let alone a wet surface, increasing your chances of hydroplaning under normal conditions.
How to Avoid Hydroplaning
You can reduce your risk of hydroplaning by avoiding cruise control in rain, maintaining proper tire tread and pressure, slowing down, increasing your following distance, and steering around standing water.
Limiting your time behind the wheel in the rain helps, but that's not always possible. When you do need to drive in wet conditions, these strategies can help you arrive safely.
Avoid Cruise Control
Cruise control can improve fuel economy and give your feet a break, but it also reduces the connection between you and your vehicle. In dry conditions, that's rarely a problem. On wet roads, control is everything. Keep your foot near the pedals so you can respond quickly if you start to hydroplane.
Properly Maintain Tires and Tread Depth
The connection between tire tread and traction is critical in wet conditions. Inspect your tires before driving in rain to make sure they're not already compromised. Check the pressure of each tire to confirm it's within the manufacturer's specifications. If your tires are worn down to 2/32 of an inch of tread, replace them as soon as possible to avoid losing traction.
Drive for Wet Conditions
Adjust your driving when familiar roads are wet. Slow your overall speed, especially when turning. Signal and brake earlier than usual to give other drivers extra notice. Avoid unnecessary or sudden lane changes and sharp maneuvers.
Increase Your Following Distance
Hydroplaning sometimes occurs when a vehicle skids to a sudden stop. Extra distance between you and the car ahead gives you more time to react and more room to stop safely. That additional space also helps if you're momentarily distracted or need to find a way around a sudden hazard.
Steer for Dry Patches
Finding dry patches of pavement helps your tires maintain traction. Without following too closely, try to drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle ahead of you. Pay attention to how the pavement feels beneath your vehicle, and avoid surfaces that look smooth or glossy.
Navigate Around Standing Water
Splashing through large puddles may look impressive in car commercials, but standing water can hide road hazards. If the water is deep enough, it can also stall your engine. When you approach standing water, safely change lanes if possible or slow down if you can't.
What to Do if You Hydroplane
One of the best ways to prepare for hydroplaning is to take a driving course designed for wet conditions. Building muscle memory for the correct response helps you react instinctively when it matters. Here are the basic steps to regain control:
- Stay calm and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
- Turn the wheel in the direction you're sliding.
- If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), keep light pressure on the gas pedal and steer toward where you want to go. Keep your eyes on your intended path.
- If your vehicle does not have ABS, slowly ease off the gas pedal while steering toward your intended path. Keep your eyes focused ahead.
- Avoid hitting the brakes. Braking during a hydroplane can make the slide worse, not better.
Stay Safe on Wet Roads
It doesn't always take a patch of ice to cause a vehicle to slide. A few inches of standing water is enough to send your car hydroplaning. Practice recognizing the warning signs, maintain your tires, and adjust your driving to match the conditions.
If wet road conditions lead to a collision, Crash Champions is here to help. Find your nearest location to schedule a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what speed does hydroplaning occur?
Hydroplaning can happen at speeds as low as 35 mph, depending on water depth, tire condition, and vehicle weight. Slowing down in wet conditions is one of the most effective ways to maintain traction.
Can new tires still hydroplane?
Yes. While new tires with full tread depth displace water more effectively, any tire can hydroplane if there is enough standing water on the road. Proper inflation and reduced speed are still important.
Should you brake if your car is hydroplaning?
No. Braking during a hydroplane can cause you to lose more control. Instead, ease off the gas, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, and steer in the direction you want to go until your tires regain traction.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes and may not reflect every situation. While we strive for accuracy, this content is general guidance, not a substitute for visiting your local collision repair provider. For questions about your specific vehicle or repair needs, contact your local Crash Champions team.
