1993 Pontiac Sunbird Owner's Manual - Page 113

Your Driving and the Road Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're going enough. When fast your vehicleis hydroplaning, it has little or nocontact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your tires haven't much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of 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 be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usuallyhappens at higher speeds. There just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow downwhen it is raining. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips Turn on your low-beam headlights not just your parking lights to help make you more visible others. to Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear roomahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted road by spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (SeeTires in the Index.) 1 Driving too fast through large water puddles or even goingthrough some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to if avoid puddles. But you can't, try to slow down before you them. hit