When vehicles drive through areas covered in rainwater, their tires work to scatter the liquid and maintain as much traction as possible. However, this doesn’t always work as expected. In fact, if there’s too much water for the tires to handle, you risk losing control and starting to slide. This occurrence is what’s known as hydroplaning, and it can be very dangerous. So, if your location gets a significant amount of rain, having a few tips for how to avoid hydroplaning will be your key to staying safe on the road.

Reduce Your Driving Speed

First and foremost, if you’re driving in a wet area, it’s crucial that you cut your driving speed and keep a reasonable distance from the car in front of you. Tires tend to maintain more road traction at lower speeds. As such, slowing down on damp roadways is one of the best ways to prevent hydroplaning altogether. Maintaining a distance can provide you with more time to react should you happen to lose control.

Avoid Driving Through Puddles or Standing Water

You can lessen your chances of hydroplaning by driving around large puddles whenever possible. Since your risk is highest when your tires are moving through large quantities of liquid, limiting this exposure can retain their ability to maneuver. This will put you in the best position to stay safe on rainy roads. To successfully avoid standing water, drive in the tracks of the car in front of you and stay closer to the center lanes.

Keep Your Tires Inflated and Balanced Properly

Another important tip for how to avoid hydroplaning is to perform the proper maintenance on your tires. They’re the parts of your vehicle that will have the most contact with the road, so their condition will greatly affect how much traction they maintain in wet areas. Because of this, you want to keep them at the proper air pressure, or psi, and ensure each has an equal amount of weight on them. This way, your car is sturdier and safer to drive overall.

Know When To Replace Your Tires

Likewise, you should replace your tires if they’ve started deteriorating. The newer your tire treads are, the better likelihood they have of properly dispersing water. Therefore, acquiring new models can ultimately keep you in control of your vehicle. Tire manufacturers even design specialized products to help with hydroplaning; they’re very effective at further reducing your risk in areas that get large amounts of rain. You can’t put just any tires on your car if you want to reduce your chances of hydroplaning. That’s why at RNR Tire Express, we make a habit out of carrying several different kinds of tires for all potential weather patterns. Whether you need all-season models or types that maximize traction in slippery conditions, we know we have the set for you. Feel free to stop by our tire shop in Savannah, GA, for a closer look at our products.