1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 184

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough 'andyou're going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It canhappen if a lot of water is standing on from trees, telephone the road. If you can see reflections 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 toslow down when it is raining. Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE: If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come through in your engine's air intake and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water is slightly that 1,owerthan the underbody your vehicle. If you 'of can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Some Other Rainy WeatherTips Turn on your low-beam headlamps -- not just your parking lamps-- to help make you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially carefulwhen you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clearroom ahead, and be prepared to have yourview restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See "Tires" in the Index.) 4-20