Be careful: the risk of aquaplaning increases in the fall

Very soon, summer will smoothly turn into autumn. It will get dark early in the evenings and it will rain more often. All this increases the danger for drivers, since water is retained in the pits, which does not have time to dry. Accordingly, the risk of aquaplaning increases, which often leads to road accidents.

Let's remember what this effect is.

Aquaplaning occurs when a water cushion forms under the tire. In this case, the tread pattern cannot cope with the water between the tire and the road. Accordingly, the rubber loses grip and the driver can no longer control the vehicle. This effect can take even the most experienced driver by surprise, as, unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the occurrence of such an effect. To reduce the danger, experts recommend a few basic things.

Expert advice

The very first thing is to check the condition of the rubber. Tekniikan Maailma published a test of new and worn tires in May 2019 (how they behave under the same conditions). According to the data obtained, old tires (drawing no deeper than 3-4 mm) show significantly worse grip on wet asphalt, compared to a new summer tire (drawing depth 7 mm).

In this case, the effect appeared at 83,1 km / h. Worn tires lost grip on the same track at a speed of just over 61 km / h. The thickness of the water cushion in both cases was 100 mm.

To reduce the risk of getting into this kind of hazardous situation, you need to change the rubber when the pattern is less than 4mm. Some tire modifications are equipped with a wear indicator (DSI). It makes it easier to check the depth of the rubber pattern. The marking indicates how much the tire is worn out and when the time comes for its replacement.

According to experts, the shorter stopping distance of a new tire in a wet area should not be confused with the product's tendency to aquaplaning.

Tire marking

“The grip category on the EU tire label indicates the tire's performance in wet grip. In other words, how the tire behaves when it comes into contact with wet asphalt. However, hydroplaning propensity cannot be determined from tire labels.” 

experts say.

Tire pressure is another factor that contributes to this effect. If it is insufficient, the rubber may not maintain its shape in water. This will make the car less stable when driving into a puddle. And if you find yourself in such a situation, there are several things to do.

Actions in case of aquaplaning

First of all, the driver must remain calm, because panic will only make the situation worse. He must release the accelerator and press the clutch to slow the car and restore contact between the tires and the road.

The brake does not help because it further reduces the rubber-to-asphalt contact. In addition, the wheels should be straight so that the car does not leave the road or enter the oncoming lane.