Everything you need to know about aquaplaning

What is aquaplaning?

A car tire, when wet, displaces water. You could say that the tire makes its way through puddles and water. The tread on your tire allows water to drain away properly. The higher the speed you drive, the harder the tires will have a hard time expelling water.

The effect

If there is too much water, the tread of the car tire is wrapped with water, which elevators the tire and causes the tire surface to lose contact with the road surface. The car then becomes uncontrollable. Aquaplaning feels the same as driving on ice: you can completely lose control of your vehicle. So the key is to reduce the chances of aquaplaning, but how do you do that?

How do you prevent aquaplaning?

Aquaplaning cannot be completely prevented, but you can do a lot to reduce the chances. For example, it is important that you still have enough tread on your tires so that a lot of water can be drained away. It is also wise to drive a little softer when the road surface is very wet. When you need to brake, it is also nice to have a little distance from your car in front. This is because your braking distance is longer in wet conditions.

What to do in the event of aquaplaning?

When aquaplaning, it is wise not to panic above all and think carefully about what you are doing. For example, it is especially advisable not to hit the brakes full on, as you may end up in a skid. This is because your locking wheels then suddenly get contact with the road. It is best to get off the gas and brake on the engine. This way, the car automatically reconnects to the road and you can safely continue driving.