When the grip of your tyres on the surface of the road gets lost, hydroplaning occurs. The tyres travel on a water film covering the road. The capacity of the driver to steer the vehicle or apply brakes to stop the vehicle is dramatically reduced due to hydroplaning.
Drivers usually face this critical hazard often on the road, which results in loss of vehicle control and fatal accidents. This article explains further about hydroplaning of tyres Derby.
Preventing Hydroplaning
Numerous things can be done to prevent hydroplaning. These are a few recommendations.
- Balance and Rotate Your Tyres Regularly: The lifespan of your tyre treads can be increased by tyre rotation. Rotating your tyres every 5,000 miles is suggested. The tread wearing also decreases if your tyres remain in balanced condition always. Coverage of every 5,000 to 6,000 miles is a standard range for balancing your tyres.
- The Right Turn Must Be Taken: You might be forced to steer in the direction opposite to the sliding direction of your car. However, this is not the correct move. Instead, the wheel must be turned in the direction that the car is sliding.
- Slow Down the Car: The speed of the car must be reduced by 5-10 mph if you find standing water or the roads are wet. When the roads are wet, cruise control must be used. Instead, you need to depend on manual control so that your focus remains on the road.
- You Must Track the Vehicles in Front of You: You must drive in these tracks if the cars in front of you leave tracks on a slick road. These tracks indicate that your tyres have already dispersed some water.
- Inspection of the Tyres: Your tyres must be inspected at least once a month to ensure that the depth of tyre tread is at least 2/32nd of an inch. You might be aware of the fastest and convenient way of checking tyre tread: penny test. You need to place the coin in the tyre grooves to check the tread depth. If the tyre tread is less than the 2/32nd of an inch, you need to replace it soon.
- Your Tyres Must Be Inflated Adequately: Your chances of hydroplaning can be increased as a result of overinflation and Underinflated. Thus, your tyre pressure must be inspected at regular intervals and adjusted as per the recommendations offered by the manufacturer.
- A Safe Distance Must Be Maintained: The braking distance dramatically increases in the rain even in the absence of hydroplaning. From 2 to 4 seconds usually or more, your following distance must be increased for allowing this.
Your Car Has Begun to Hydroplane: What’s Your Role?
If your car or any vehicle begins to hydroplane, here are a few tips.
- You must not panic and get confused. Panicking may make the situation worse.
- The brakes must not be slammed upon. Rather you need not push the accelerator and let the car slow down. To enable the tyres to regain traction, you can apply brakes lightly. But, this must be done only when your car has anti-lock brakes or when required.
- You must hold the steering steady. Your car may lose traction and get out of control further if you move your steering too much to one or the other side during hydroplaning.
- After gaining control of the car, you must not come to a complete stop. You must pull off the road or to the shoulder completely if you need some time to gain back your composure. You must not forget that the approaching vehicles might be undergoing hydroplaning on the road.
Tyres Designed Specifically to Reduce Hydroplaning
As tyres are manufactured to offer good performance, their treads differ hugely. These tyres are designed in such a way that the vehicle’s performance fulfils the owner’s priorities and vehicle requirements.
Examples are:
Both all-Season and summer versions of performance tyres focus on maximum control when braking, accelerating and cornering. For resisting hydroplaning, both are designed. But, the all-Season versions are meant only to be used in freezing temperatures.
Design of touring tyres focusing on all-season traction, less noise and riding comfort contain tread patterns with additional features called sipes and slots. This will offer traction in wet and snowy conditions.
You must know that if you stay prepared, install the right Continental Tyres Derby and practice defensive techniques of driving, you and your vehicle can overcome this situation without any damage even though hydroplaning is dangerous.
Conclusion
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