1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 173

Hydroplaning . ., ..., 1 , , 2 , 2 - , a 7 -- '. Driving Through Deep Standing Water Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your'tiresthat they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or nocontact with the road. , NOTICE: If you drivetoo quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come through your in 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 or standing water, drive through them very slowly. 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 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. S,omeOther Rainy Weather Tips Turri 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 careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clearroom ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See "Tires" in the Index.) 4-18