2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
There is already a risk of "swimming" above freezing point. An adapted driving style, a cool head and the right choice of tires significantly reduce the risk.
Not only ice and snow pose dangers for drivers in autumn and winter. Water can also ensure smoothness well above freezing point. Then only calm and calm will help.
Switch off the car radio
The water accumulates especially in ruts and puddles. When driving fast, the tires of a car can no longer divert a film of liquid that is only finger-wide, the vehicle floats and loses contact with the road. Steering and braking become impossible.
The danger is often announced acoustically by the noise of excess water in the wheel arches. We recommend switching off the car radio in heavy rain so that the warning can also be heard inside. According to the tire manufacturer Continental's expert, a "knock" in the steering can also be a warning signal.
Pay attention to the correct tread depth
If it gets sticky and the car floats up, you should keep a cool head. When the clutch is pressed and without braking, you wait until the ground is dry again under the tires. Steering is usually useless. Vigorous movements at the wheel or forceful braking can even be dangerous if individual wheels suddenly grip again.
The best precaution against aquaplaning is, in addition to an appropriate driving style, correct tires. With winter tires, the risk of floating increases significantly with less than four millimeters of residual profile, as a test by the expert organization GTÜ has shown. Because wear and tear shrinks the depth of the tread grooves in the tire; they can then no longer ensure that the water is drained under the tire. (mid)
