1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 181

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under yourtires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enoughand you're going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no cpntact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your tires haven't much tread if the pressure in one or or more is low. It canhappen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can seereflections from trees, telephone poles or other vehicles, and raindrops "dimple" the water's surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds: There just isn't a hard and fast ruleabout hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when is raining. it Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE: 1 ~ If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come in through your engine's air intake' and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water thatslightly is lower than the underbody your vehicle.If you of can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips Turn on your low-beam headlamps -- not just -visible your parking lamps to help make you more to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when youpass another vehicle. Allow yourselfmore clear room ahead, and be prepared have your view restricted to by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See "Tires" in the Index.) 0 4-19