Avoid hydroplaning with Toyota service

 Driving in the rain can be nervewracking. Not only can wet roads become slippery and treacherous fast, but you also have to deal with visibility issues if the downpour gets heavy as well as high winds if it's a bad storm. That's why it's important to know how to handle your car as well as prepare it for driving in the rain, and Toyota of Orlando is here to help. Today we're talking about hydroplaning, what to do if you experience it, and how to prevent it in the first place. 

What is hydroplaning? 

Hydroplaning is essentially when your vehicle loses its traction on the road. When you drive, your tire treads push water out of the way so your car can make its way down the road no matter how much it's raining. However, if your tread is low, the rain is heavy, or if you're driving through deeper water, then you may experience hydroplaning. This is when the water on the road actually pushes your tires off the ground slightly and a thin layer of water forms between your tires and the road. When this occurs, you lose traction and your car can slide or skid. 

If you find yourself in this situation, it's critical that you know how to react so you don't totally lose control of your car and wind up in an accident. Here are some quick Orlando Toyota tips on how to handle hydroplaning: 

1. Don't slam on the brakes. You'll be tempted to, trust us, as it's instinctual. However, if you slam on the brakes it will likely just make your slide or skid worse. You should take your foot off the gas to slow your car naturally. 

2. If you need to come to a stop faster than that and you have anti-lock brakes, slowly and gently hit the brakes. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, you should slowly pump the brakes to prevent them from locking up and sending you into a spin. 

3. Steer into the skid. It sounds weird and will likely feel even weirder, but steering the direction you're skidding is an effective way to gain control back. Steering in the opposite direction often causes overcorrection. You should steer the direction that your back wheels are sliding and do it gently - don't jerk the wheel. 

Prep your car for bad weather at Toyota of Orlando

However, the best way to deal with hydroplaning is to not let it happen in the first place. The best way to do this is to take care of your car. Here are some easy tips from our Orlando Toyota service center on how to prep your car for safe driving in the rain. 

1. Make sure your car tires are always in top condition. This means keeping them in good general condition, but also having them rotated and balanced, keeping them inflated to the proper PSI, and making sure you always have enough tread on them for traction. 

2. Stay on top of brake service so you can safely bring your car to a stop in wet weather - sign up for reminders for routine brake care at Toyota of Orlando. 

3. Make sure your headlights and wipers are in excellent condition at all times. You never know when it's going to rain in Orlando so you should be prepared every time you hit the road. Having working wipers and headlights ensures the best visibility possible, even in bad weather conditions. 

Have questions about hydroplaning or auto service for rainy days? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.