Hydroplaning: Causes, Prevention & Safety Tips

Hydroplaning, also known as aquaplaning, occurs when a car is driven on a wet or slippery road, usually after rainfall, and the tyres lose proper contact with the road surface. As a result, your car may skid, spin or drift, leading to serious accidents.

The danger of such conditions was evident last year in Himachal Pradesh, where 133 road-accident deaths were reported by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA). However, with proper maintenance of your car tyres and caution while driving, preventing such a concern is easy.

In this blog, we will explore the hydroplaning meaning in detail, along with its usual causes, types and guides to prevent it.

What is Hydroplanning?

Imagine driving on a rainy road, and suddenly your car feels like it is sliding. That happens when the tyres cannot grip the road properly and start riding on water instead. As a result, your steering may feel loose, and the car may drift or move in a different direction even when you are trying to keep it straight.

This loss of control can be dangerous, especially if you are driving at high speed or near other vehicles. If hydroplaning occurs, the best way to stay safe is to remain calm, avoid sudden braking and gently slow down until your tyres regain contact with the road.

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What are the Usual Causes for Hydroplaning on Roads?

Now that you have an overall idea of hydroplaning on roads, you must learn the exact causes behind your car tyres losing contact with the road. Learn these causes to take one step forward to prevent this situation:

High Speed

Driving at a higher speed, especially over the stipulated speed limit, is always a factor that makes your car prone to accidents. Now, on a road with water on it, driving your car faster gives your vehicle's tyres less time to disperse water. Even if you drive at 50 to 60 kilometres per hour, say, after a rainfall, the chance of hydroplaning increases.

Worn-Out Tyres

Aside from high speed, the condition of your vehicle's tyres determines its ability to quickly disperse water and prevent your car from slipping on the roads. If the tyres of your vehicle are worn out, with less than 1.6 mm of their tread depth, it means their capability to disperse water is significantly low.

Tyre Pressure

You may maintain the tyre pressure of your vehicle periodically for safety and comfort. However, note that maintaining an optimal tyre pressure is always the key to avoiding issues.

An over-inflated tyre reduces the amount of rubber touching the road, especially in the centre of the tread. Conversely, an under-inflated tyre might not maintain a proper shape, reducing contact on the road.

Condition of the Road

Aside from your vehicle and tyre conditions, road conditions also play a crucial role in causing hydroplaning. When the water level on the road rises above 1/10th of an inch, the risk of hydroplaning increases significantly.

Reasons like heavy rainfall, the type of surface, etc., play a major role here. Thus, the deeper the water standing on a road, the higher the chances of facing hydroplaning.

Vehicle Weight

Heavier vehicles may have a slight advantage because they can push water away faster than it builds up under the tyres. However, hydroplaning can still occur even in heavier cars. Comparatively lighter vehicles are more prone to this condition. Vehicles such as SUVs, with a higher centre of gravity, may feel the effects more intensely when hydroplaning happens.

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What are the Signs to Look for in a Vehicle to Prevent Hydroplaning?

When driving on a road with water on it, you may feel the following signs that may lead to aquaplaning. Learn these warning signs to stay safe on roads:

Sensing a Loss of Control Over the Steering Wheel

While driving, say after a rainfall, if you sense your car's steering wheel is lighter or even unresponsive, it can lead to a complete loss of command over your vehicle. It typically happens as your car's tyres lose contact with the road surface.

Car Engine Sounds Louder

As the tyres of your vehicle lose their grip on the road, your car's RPM goes higher. Here, the engine sounds louder. It is because under these conditions, your car engine can transfer less power to the tyres.

Vehicle Starts Drifting

Due to the inability of your car’s tyre to disperse water as it builds up under it, your car may start drifting. You may feel the vehicle drifting from side to side due to aquaplaning.

Applying Brakes Becomes Difficult

Compared to normal conditions, when aquaplaning happens, and your vehicle’s tyres lose grip on the road, braking may seem difficult. It is another sign of aquaplaning that you must stay cautious about.

Essential Safety Tips to Avoid Hydroplaning on Roads

Now that you have an idea of what hydroplaning means, its causes and signs, you must note some essential tips to prevent it from happening:

Keep a Check on Your Speed

One of the most crucial tips here is to maintain an optimal speed, especially when you are driving on a slippery road. Speeding even at 50 to 60 km per hour may cause your car to drift and other consequences. Thus, maintaining a speed below it might help you avoid aquaplaning.

Tyre Maintainance

Another defence against aquaplaning or hydroplaning is to maintain the health of your tyres. Maintain tyre tread depth between 2 and 3 millimetres to avoid such a situation. Also, maintain a proper tyre pressure as per your vehicle type and the recommended tyre pressure by your car manufacturer.

Stay Calm and Act Smart

In case you face aquaplaning on a road, first of all, you must stay calm, as fearing the situation only might make things much worse. To prevent an accident or damage, let go of the accelerator gradually. Try to keep the steering aligned with the road and avoid sudden brakes. Wait until your car slows down naturally.

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The Bottom Line

Hydroplaning or aquaplaning is the phenomenon when water on the roads builds up between your vehicle’s tyres, and it cannot disperse properly. It leads to uncontrollable drifts, spin, etc, which in turn may cause accidents or other damages. To prevent it, maintain the speed limit, check tyre pressure and its condition, stay calm and regain control of your vehicle when it happens.

Ensure your vehicle is insured with four wheeler insurance from Bajaj General Insurance and drive worry-free while abiding by the laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cruise control cause hydroplaning?

Yes, cruise control, if set at a higher speed, may lead to aquaplaning. It happens if you are driving on a slippery road or if there is water on the road.

Can any car aquaplane?

Yes, whether you are driving a sedan, SUV or a hatchback, etc., they are vulnerable to aquaplaning if conditions meet. While a lighter vehicle may feel it more acutely, if it happens in a heavier vehicle, they take more time to recover from it.  

If I have set new tyres on my car, am I safe from aquaplaning?

Installing new tyres can help reduce the risk of aquaplaning, but it does not guarantee complete safety. Other factors, such as over-inflated or under-inflated tyres, can still increase the chances of aquaplaning even with new tyres.

Do specific tyre types prevent an aquaplaning from happening?

No tyre can completely prevent aquaplaning. However, tyres with deeper grooves and well-designed tread patterns can help channel water away more effectively, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

When is the risk of hydroplaning highest after rainfall?

The first few minutes after a rainfall are potentially dangerous and may lead to hydroplaning. It is because rainwater mixes with oil on roads, debris, dirt, etc., making the road surface more slippery.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.

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