Hydroplaning is something that all drivers might experience at one point. If you have already experienced hydroplaning, which happens when the water pressure in the front of the wheel pushes water under the tire, separating the tire from the road and thereby loosing traction, then you know it can be a frightening experience. You should know that today’s car tires have many new innovative features to protect your car from hydroplaning.
In fact, the Nokian eNTYRE 2.0 all-season tires makes use of many new innovations to protect against hydroplaning. Innovations like polished lateral and inside grooves give the ultimate protection against aqua planing. This is because the design of the new lateral grooves allows them to store more water from between the tire and the road and accelerates its flow from the main grooves. If in the market for all-weather tires, then the Nokian WR G4 all-weather tires are a good option with many new innovations as well to protect from hydroplaning. The “Blade Grooves’ efficiently routes rain, snow and slush away from the contact surface. It should be noted that hydroplaning can occur with both water (aquaplaning) as well as slush (slushplaning). In addition, the “Coanda technology” with its curved, ramp-like design of the tread blocks on the inner shoulder guides and accelerates the flow of water from the longitudinal grooves into the transverse grooves. These excellent slushplaning prevention properties are even retained as the tires wear down.
Since aquaplaning or hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds up between the wheels of the car and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the car from responding to control inputs. This can be very frightening, and it is the number one cause of accidents in the summer. To prevent hydroplaning, it is important to always have good quality tires with adequate tread that are properly inflated. Make sure to also rotate tires and replace if the tread is below 5/32 inches. It is also important to slow down when roads are wet, this is because the faster you drive the harder it is for the tires to disperse the water. Avoid puddles and standing water, turn off cruise control, drive in lower gears, avoid hard braking, don’t do sharp or quick turns. If after all precautions your car still ends up hydroplaning then you need to take your foot of the brake, steer in the same direction as you are heading and do not under any circumstances slam on the brakes.
Both all-season tires and all-weather tires have features to protect from hydroplaning and as long as the tires are in good shape with at least 5/32 inches of tread and properly inflated then the risk of hydroplaning it greatly reduced. It is however important to stay prudent when driving in rain. Always slow down, avoid puddles, keep your eyes on the road, avoid drastic turns or hard braking and if possible, drive in a lower gear.
For more information regarding all-season tires, visit: nokiantires.com