When you’re driving in a rainstorm, your focus is probably on your wipers as they keep the windshield clear. However, something else you should pay attention to is the road conditions beneath your vehicle; “hydroplaning” is a scary – and very real – risk. The experts at Peruzzi Toyota of Hatfield, PA wants you to know more about this all-too-common hazard and what you can do to stay safe.
OK, so what is hydroplaning? Essentially, it’s when you lose traction as a thin film of water comes between your tires and the road. It can happen during a downpour or just on a wet surface. This can lead to loss of control, spin-outs, dangerous skids, and worse.
So, what should you do if this happens? Your first instinct will be to hit the brakes hard, but be careful – this can worsen the situation. Instead, take your foot off the brake and allow your car to slow down; hit the horn to alert other drivers around you. If you have anti-lock brakes, don’t “stomp” on them, pump them slowly and gently. This too applies to brakes that aren’t “anti-lock,”– be gentle.
Here’s another key thing to remember: turn in the direction of the skid. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you go in the opposite direction, it results in dangerous overcorrection and makes things worse. So, remember: if your wheels are going “left,” turn left and use small adjustments, nothing too dramatic.
Now, how can you avoid hydroplaning to begin with? Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA has these recommendations. First, slow down on wet roads. Despite all the many safety “assists” standard on Toyota models, nothing replaces common sense. Try to stick to the interior lanes if possible, since water tends to “pool” on road exteriors. Where you can avoid driving through big puddles. There are too many stories of folks who misjudge the depth and find themselves at a higher risk of hydroplaning, not to mention damage to their exhaust system and transmission.
Your tires are the point of contact on the road, and keeping them in good shape is critical. The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota can give them a thorough check to ensure that they have optimum tread depth and inflation. This will go a long way to keeping you safe in all kinds of road conditions – rainstorms included!
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