1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 245

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous.So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride onwater. the This can happen the roadis wet enough and you're if going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it haslittle or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. Butcan if your it tires do not have much tread if the pressure in one or or more islow. It can happenif a lotof water is standing on the road.If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles or other vehicles, and raindrops "dimple" the water's surface, there could hydroplaning. be 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 it is raining. Driving Through Deep Standing Water I 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 of your vehicle. If you can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips a Turn on your low-beam headlamps not just --your parking lamps to help make you more visible to others. a Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when pass you another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, andbe prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. a Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See "Tires" in the Index.) 4-19