What should you do if your tires start to hydroplane?

What should you do if your tires start to hydroplane?

• A. Brake hard to regain control.
• B. Accelerate to regain traction.
• C. Steer straight and ease off the accelerator.
• D. Turn the wheel sharply in the opposite direction.

Answer: (C)

When tires start to hydroplane, the vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water, leading to a significant reduction in traction. In this situation, the best course of action is to steer straight and ease off the accelerator. This technique allows the tires to regain contact with the road as the vehicle slows down, which is essential for maintaining control and avoiding a potential skid. By easing off the accelerator, the driver helps reduce the speed of the vehicle, which can allow the tires to cut through the water layer instead of riding on top of it. If the driver were to brake hard or accelerate, they may exacerbate the loss of control. Similarly, turning the wheel sharply can lead to a loss of balance and increase the risk of skidding or spinning out. Thus, steering straight while gently easing off the accelerator is the safest and most effective response during hydroplaning.

When tires start to hydroplane, the vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water, leading to a significant reduction in traction. In this situation, the best course of action is to steer straight and ease off the accelerator. This technique allows the tires to regain contact with the road as the vehicle slows down, which is essential for maintaining control and avoiding a potential skid.

By easing off the accelerator, the driver helps reduce the speed of the vehicle, which can allow the tires to cut through the water layer instead of riding on top of it. If the driver were to brake hard or accelerate, they may exacerbate the loss of control. Similarly, turning the wheel sharply can lead to a loss of balance and increase the risk of skidding or spinning out. Thus, steering straight while gently easing off the accelerator is the safest and most effective response during hydroplaning.