Is this hydroplaning?

Question

Sometimes, when I accelerate my car from a stop in wet weather I lose control momentarily and there is a loud squealing noise. The wheels shift from side to side and it's hard to accelerate. Is this hydroplaning, and if so, should I get new tires?

Answer 1

Actually, it's dangerous driving.  If you don't know enough to accelerate gently in wet weather you are a dangerous driver.  Don't get new tires, get driving lessons.

Answer 2

You should not accelerate that quickly, especially in wet weather.  You may or may not need new tires, but you also should be accelerating much more gradually, especially in wet weather.

Answer 3

Yes.  Hydroplaning is the inability of the tires to shed water between the tire thread and road surface.  Water builds up and actually 'pushes' the tire off of the road surface reducing, and sometimes eliminating, traction.

The other issue is that after a time of no rain a rainfall will wash and lift the oil that has accumulated on the road surface and this will float on top of the water on the road.   The oil reduces traction and is especially dangerous for motorcyclists.

If your tires are cheap or almost worn out this is probably the cause of your spinning and you should replace them...  if you are applying the accelerator in moderation.  If you have lots of power and can spin a tire on dry pavement then simply modifying your driving habits for the road conditions will eliminate the problem.

Answer 4

That is more buning out than "hydroplaning" but still could be called hydroplaning,brand new tires would do the same thing. However when you are on the highway and hydroplane you will know it,that can be greatly minimized by new tires/tires designed for rain.

Answer 5

I agree and if your tires are slick it will make it much worse make sure that your tires has enough thread. Keep a close eye on your tires so that you don't end up in an accident.

Answer 6

opertavie word here is what do u mean by accelerate stomp on it or just drive if ur hitting pedal then ur  looking for an accidnet but u allso might need new tires give em the dime test for tread wear

Answer 7

Hydroplaning occurs when there is a buildup of water between your tires and the road surface. Therefore you have no traction.........it usually happens with a combination of.....

1. excess water on the road surface (i.e. heavy rain)

2. poor tire condition (very little or no tread left on the tire)

3. Speed of your vehicle.

If you are accelerating from a stop, you have reduced traction due to the wet surface of the road. If you continue to accelerate under these conditions, then your drive wheel (front or rear wheel drive?) will slip and spin causing your vehicle to shift from side to side as you stated.

Adjust your driving to the weather/road/traffic conditions.

Just by letting your right foot off the brake, the vehicle will move forward (in DRIVE), and you can gently accelerate up to the speed of traffic.

If you are driving along a high speed road during a heavy rainstorm, and you feel a "floating" sensation, simply take your foot off the accelerator, don't brake, keep your steering straight (don't oversteer), and your vehicle will slow down, causing your tires to come back down to meet the road surface......

Learn the laws of physics as they apply to driving......these laws affect every physical thing you do......they are natural and if you don't learn them, you suffer the consequences.....

oh, check the tread wear on your tires.....if those llittle wear-bars felt between the treads (in the grooves) are even with the surface of the tire, get new tires.