1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 165

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that theycan actually ride on the water. This can happenif the roadis wet enough and you're going fast enough. When your vehicle hydroplaning, is it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But can if your it tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if lot of water is standing on a the road.If you can see reflections 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 rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when raining. it is 1Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE: 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 that is slightly lower than the underbody your vehicle.If you of can't avoid deep puddles standing water, drive or through them very slowly. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips 0 Turn on your low-beam headlamps not just your -parking lamps -- to help make you more visible to others. 0 Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when pass you another vehicle. Allow yourself more 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 4-18