Now you might wonder about the safety of your vehicle on wet roads. Driving during a heavy rainstorm often feels quite dangerous for many people. Tires must grip the pavement firmly to maintain control of the car. Water can build up between the rubber and the street surface. This layer of liquid lifts the vehicle off the ground entirely. The tires lose contact with the solid road during this scary moment.
Experts call this dangerous phenomenon hydroplaning because the car slides uncontrollably. Proper maintenance keeps your family safe during these difficult weather conditions. Tire rotation stands as a vital practice for every responsible driver. Regular visits to Auto Repair in Ottawa, ON will help maintain your vehicle properly. Janex Automotive provides excellent support for all your automotive maintenance needs today.
Understanding the Mechanics of Hydroplaning
The grooves on your tires serve a very specific purpose. These deep channels push water away from the center of the tire. This action allows the rubber to touch the dry pavement beneath. Worn tires cannot move the water away fast enough for safety. The liquid then forms a wedge under the front of the tire. This wedge lifts the car up like a small water ski. You lose the ability to steer or brake effectively during hydroplaning. Sometimes the steering wheel feels very light and loose in your hands. This sensation indicates that the front wheels are floating on water. You must have deep tread to cut through the heavy puddles. Janex Automotive offers professional inspections to ensure your tread remains deep enough.
How Uneven Wear Increases Your Risks
Front tires usually wear out faster than the rear tires do. The weight of the engine pushes down on the front wheels. Steering creates extra friction on the edges of the front rubber. Braking also puts more stress on the forward part of the car. Uneven wear patterns reduce the effectiveness of the water drainage channels. One tire might lose grip while the others still hold on. This imbalance makes the car spin during a sudden summer storm. The back of the vehicle may slide out toward the side. You need consistent tread depth on all four corners of the car. Balanced tires provide a predictable response when you hit a puddle.
Improving Road Grip Through Better Maintenance
Good maintenance habits keep your car glued to the wet asphalt. You should check your tire pressure every single month of the year. Low pressure makes the footprint of the tire much too wide. A wide footprint creates a larger surface for water to lift.
High pressure makes the tire too stiff to grip the road. Properly inflated tires work with the tread to move water away. You will feel more confident behind the wheel with balanced tires. Rotation works alongside alignment to keep the car traveling straight. Now the vehicle handles puddles with much more stability and grace. You avoid the terror of losing control on a flooded highway.
