Hydroplaning refers to the skidding or sliding of cars, especially on a wet surface or road. It occurs when the water encountered by the tires is much more than they can handle, thus losing traction and resulting to skids, loss of steering, power control, and braking.

Because of this, rubber tires were designed to have threads or grooves to help them channel water beneath the tire. These grooves create higher friction, and with such resistance, there is a minimized chance of hydroplaning. Although your tires may be grooved and designed against hydroplaning, it would still be safe to assume there are slim chances that you will still experience skids.

During rainy days, every driver must be wary especially in the first 10 minutes of light rain. This is when the rain mixes with the oil and dirt on the road surface that might cause vehicles running very fast (35mph) to skid and hydroplane. Always remember that a car that hydroplanes isn’t only a hazard to the person driving the car, but also to the other vehicles on the road. This can result in serious road accidents.

Here are a few tips anyone can do to make sure you avoid hydroplaning:

1. Make sure you don’t have flat tires and that they are always properly inflated.
Also, make sure your tires have good tread, otherwise there will be less traction, and you will become more prone to hydroplaning.

2. Rotate and replace tires when necessary.
Some tires get worn out pretty easily in some cars, so rotating your tires once in a while could help reduce the damage and give your tires a longer lifespan. Rotate tires for every 3000 miles of a road trip. Also, if you have a front wheel drive vehicle, you must consider tire rotation seriously, since, in this case, front tires get worn out faster and more differently from back tires.

3. When there is ta lot of water on the road or when there is rain, slow down to give your tires friction.
The faster you run, the more likely you are to hydroplane. It’s especially important to go slowly if you see standing water.

4. Stay away from puddles and standing water.
Always look out for puddles since the greater the amount of water, the greater the chance to hydroplane. This means you should avoid driving in outer lanes since that is where water usually accumulates. Try to follow the tracks left by the cars before you, since there is a smaller probability of water building up in areas experiencing full tire action.

5. Turn off cruise control.
You are better off without cruise control during rainy days, especially if it’s heavy downpour. Turning off cruise control will direct your focus to the present and will make you more aware of he surroundings.

6. Avoid hard braking.
If you have anti-lock brakes then you can brake as you usually do, but if you don’t, then make sure you brake in small gentle pumps. Make sure you don’t lock the wheel, or you will surely skid and hydroplane.

7. Try not to make sharp or quick turns.
Always be careful when taking turns. Doing so sharply will most likely result to hydroplaning since your tires will have less time to gain traction and will therefore skid.

As you can see, your tires play a very critical role in your drive. If you are a tire store, an auto recycler or a car dealer, it is important to know this information so that you can give your customers appropriate recommendations when they choose their tires. Manage your tire business efficiently through an effective and proven holistic system where you can organize, advertise and invoice tires in one easy step. Check out our system and avail of our free trial today!

Being well prepared before getting behind the wheel is the cornerstone of being a good driver. Checking gas levels, lights, brakes, tires and more are vital to a safe and pleasant drive.

Today, we’d like to talk about an important feature of your car: your tires. There are many benefits of maintaining your tires properly:

• Tire maintenance should always be on top of your list. Tires are among the most crucial components of your vehicle. Improper tire conditions can cause accidents and injuries

• Tire maintenance helps extend the life of your tires. Longer tire life means you save money by buying tires less often.

• Did you know that under-inflated tires also cost you more fuel? Under-inflated tires have a higher rolling resistance that makes your engine work harder to keep you going at the same speed.

It is recommended that you inspect your tires regularly, especially before driving out. You may overlook less obvious damage without a thorough inspection so be sure to schedule them more often with your local tire shop. Check tire pressure and do regular maintenance routines such as tire rotation, alignment, and visual inspections.

Always check for underinflated or flat tires, since they increase risks on the road. Under-inflated tires do not only increase your fuel usage, but they also provide less traction. During rainy seasons, skidding and sliding are even more likely with worn out or underinflated tires. Make sure you check each tire’s pressure before trips, to save yourself money and reduce the chances of an accident.

Tire maintenance is a serious task – it starts from the tire purchase to regularly servicing the customer. Give your customers an easy way to choose tires online. If you are a tire store, an auto recycler or a car dealer, manage your business efficiently through an effective and proven holistic system where you can organize, advertise and invoice tires in one easy step. Check out our free trial and save on labor costs, increase your sales and make your job easier today!