When it rains, the situation on city and country roads becomes more dangerous. And it's not just that water flows impair visibility. There is also such a phenomenon as hydroplaning, due to which more than one accident has occurred.
What is the hydroplaning effect
When the car is moving, the tires and the roadway are in contact with each other, creating the so-called "contact patch". The effect of hydroplaning occurs when there is no contact between the tire and the road, and there is a water film between them. In this case, the car is practically uncontrollable, and almost any action only leads to a worsening of the situation, and not to its correction.
How and why hydroplaning occurs
When moving along wet road tires push water out from under them, forming a patch of contact with the road. The water in front of the wheels of the car forms a roller, which is clearly visible to pedestrians. Under certain conditions, the tires can not cope with the removal of water and contact with the roadway is lost, the car "leads", it does not obey the steering wheel.
There are many reasons for hydroplaning. First, it's speed. At high speed even a small amount of water on the road can cause loss of contact with the road surface. Therefore, in the rain or on wet roads, it is better to drive at moderate speeds. Especially on a good road. Because smooth asphalt can be another cause of hydroplaning. On such a road, even a small film of water greatly reduces traction.
Third, worn tires and the shallow depth of the tread also often leads to the fact that water does not escape from under the wheels. If you are riding on bald tires, slow down in the rain and be sure to brake in front of puddles. The fourth reason is also related to tires: wrong pressure in them can also lead to hydroplaning. Experts say that the condition of the suspension also affects the manifestation of this effect. If it is worn out by 50%, then the possibility of water appearing between the wheels and the roadway increases several times.
Hydroplaning resistance tested at the landfill. You can see how the hydroplaning effect manifests itself depending on the tread height in the video.
How to avoid hydroplaning
From all this it follows that in order to reduce the risk of hydroplaning, you need to choose the right tires and properly inflate them. When choosing summer tires, be sure to pay attention to the tread pattern. Tires that drain water well must have at least one longitudinal deep groove running along.
A lot of lamellas (transverse grooves) that pass through should depart from it. It is best to divert water from the contact patch of the tire, the lamellas of which go at an angle from the longitudinal groove and are directed back. This pattern is reminiscent of a Christmas tree. schematic representation. It is also important to install the rain tires correctly so that the herringbone is directed to the rear, i.e. the water went back and forth.
Speed plays an important role in driving safely in the rain or on wet roads. It is calculated that the hydroplaning effect threshold is in the range from 70 to 100 km/h. But if the tires and suspension are worn out, then the car can float on the road at 60 km / h and even at a lower speed. The smoothness of the coating and the thickness of the water layer also play a role here. Due to the many variables it is difficult to predict the behavior of a car on the road and so far no way has been found how to calculate the speed during hydroplaning, but this is definitely the case when you drive quieter, you will continue.
How does hydroplaning work?
Informed means armed, and knowing how the car feels when it “swimmed”, you will be able to adequately respond and regain control of the situation. The behavior of the machine during hydroplaning depends on the drive. Sometimes there is a feeling that the speed is decreasing and someone is holding the car from behind - this is how water resistance manifests itself. This usually happens if you fly into a puddle at a decent depth at high speed.
Having flown into a puddle, you can feel that the car “floated”
Moreover, on front-wheel drive cars, often when you try to brake on a wet road, rotation begins. If the drive wheels are rear, then the steering becomes soft when hydroplaning, but no matter how you turn it, the car does not react in any way.
How to deal with hydroplaning
The first reaction that occurs when you lose control is to slam on the brakes. But any pressure on the brake, if the car has lost contact with the road, worsens the situation and the car can spin. So the first thing we do is take your foot off the gas pedal.
Decreasing speed can regain control, but this should only be done with the motor. Slowly reducing the speed, reduce the speed. No need to turn the wheel. The wheels will change direction, but this will not affect the direction of movement. But when a contact patch appears, if the steering wheel is turned out, the car can skid again.
If you have front wheel drive car and you notice that the rear starts to “float”, a slight increase in speed can pull the car out of gliding on the water. But such a solution is available for experienced drivers and those who feel the car well and do not lose their heads in emergency situations. If it’s hard to attribute you to such people, take your foot off the gas pedal, firmly hold the steering wheel with both hands and do not turn it, waiting until the engine slows down. Don't slow down. This will cause you to skid. That's all the action.
Actually the phenomenon of aquaplaning is not fatal, but dangerous if the driver panicked. And so that such a nuisance does not happen to you, it is enough to drive in the rain high speed and slow down in time before puddles, monitor the tires and pressure in them.
Hello dear motorists! Even if your childhood dream is to conquer the stormy sea on a windsurfboard, somewhere on the Pacific coast, you should not make it a reality on the highway.
Hydroplaning of the car is the scourge of today for several reasons, which are all in the hands of the motorist. High-speed cars, a younger trend for more motorists, poor paving practices resulting in puddles, and a lack of knowledge and experience.
Often, all these factors in combination lead to irreparable consequences on the road associated with the effect of car aquaplaning. And do not underestimate hydroplaning, because being at a speed of 80-100 km / h, without the ability to drive a car, you become just an extra in a dramatic situation.
Aquaplaning is a beautiful word with unpleasant consequences
Judging by the name, you understand perfectly well that the hydroplaning effect is associated with the water surface. But, unlike windsurfing, which is a pleasure for a person, hydroplaning a car can lead to: a stressful situation and nervous excitement of the driver (this is in best case), or a serious traffic accident, depending on the traffic situation.
Hydroplaning is the loss of traction by a vehicle. pavement. It can be either partial or complete loss. For example, at front wheel drive vehicles, hydroplaning effect starts rear wheels, and rear-wheel drive, on the contrary.
And the lack of adhesion of the wheels of the car to the road. means nothing more than a loss of control of the car, with all the ensuing consequences. And, well, if this is a short-term loss of control, and if "no"? So let's try to figure it out: with the causes of aquaplaning of a car, and the actions of the driver when the effect of aquaplaning occurs.
Why hydroplaning occurs
By by and large, main reason hydroplaning can be called the most basic: the entry of a car at a critical speed into a puddle. As a result of the critical velocity, a hydrodynamic wedge arises. That is, tire treads simply do not have time to remove water from the contact patch of the tire with the road surface.
The use of special rain tires in rainy weather, according to our experts, only exacerbates the situation. Why? No, it has nothing to do with the tread design. Just the tire copes, but here is the driver.
The psychology of many newly minted "Schumachers" is such that they think that if a car is shod in rain tires, then you can "fly" into any puddle top speed. Well, how about. After all, the tires are rain.
Factors affecting the occurrence of hydroplaning:
- high speed when entering a puddle, even a small one;
- small residual tire tread depth, simply put, tread wear is above normal (bald tires);
- unevenness of the road surface, and, accordingly, the unevenness of the water layer;
- inappropriate tire pressure parameters;
- and, oddly enough, the condition of the car's suspension.
The critical speed for the occurrence of aquaplaning is 70-100 km/h. Although, it is not a fact that it cannot be lower, and in combination with the above factors, hydroplaning at a speed of 50 km / h may well occur.
How not to become an asphalt surfer, and what to do when your car is hydroplaning
Based on the factors that have a beneficial effect on the occurrence of the hydroplaning effect, and almost all of them depend on the driver, we can advise how to avoid hydroplaning.
Driving in rainy weather is a routine heightened danger therefore: the car, especially tires and suspension, must be in good technical condition. The speed of entry into the puddle should be minimal. Once you remember this before every puddle, and you will never experience the feeling of a sudden loss of control of the car.
But, if, nevertheless, it happened, and your car went into aquaplaning, you need to arm yourself with composure, first of all.
- the foot is removed from the gas pedal;
- no sharp braking by the pedal, only by the engine, switching to a lower gear;
- hydrodynamic impact when entering a puddle can knock the steering wheel out of your hands, so the position of the hands should be classic: on the dial 10-2 or 9-3;
- no need to "pull" the steering wheel and try to align the wheels. There is no grip with the road, but when it occurs, and the wheels have already been turned by you, then the effect of re-skidding occurs. When re-skidding, you must correct the position of the wheels by briefly turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid and return the wheels to the straight-ahead position.
Now think - do you need them, all these tests of your professional driving skills? Most likely no. Therefore, in order to avoid aquaplaning of the car: slow down in front of a puddle and try to overcome it in a straight line.
Good luck in overcoming the puddles on our road surface.
Over the past two days, two articles have appeared on our website: Skidding on a highway in the Ryazan region and Skidding with an accident on the M4 Don highway with video material about hydroplaning accidents, so we decided to write a small instruction for beginner car enthusiasts, although also for drivers with experience, it will not be superfluous.
AQUAPLANING - such an unpleasant and dangerous phenomenon was called such a beautiful word, but the effect of aquaplaning is dangerous for any driver, for a professional it is scary by surprise, and for a novice driver it is generally terrible.
Here's what the wiki says about our topic:
Hydroplaning is the occurrence of a hydrodynamic wedge in the contact patch of a tire - that is, a complete or partial loss of grip caused by the presence of a water layer separating the tires from a moving vehicle from the road surface. In this case, the vehicle is almost uncontrollable. Occurs when the speed reaches a critical value, at which the wheel does not have time to remove water from the contact patch. The greater the water film on the road surface and the smaller the remaining tread depth of the tire, the higher the risk of hydroplaning.
Causes of hydroplaning.
In fact, there are not so many reasons for this effect, and at the same time, many factors influence the occurrence of aquaplaning.
The effect is obtained due to the appearance in the contact patch of the car tire of the so-called. hydrodynamic wedge, namely: the tire tread does not have time to remove water from the contact patch with the road.
Aquaplaning can occur for a variety of reasons:
High critical speed when entering a puddle;
Small residual tire tread depth;
Irregularities of the road surface with a water layer (puddle);
Thickness or uneven thickness of the water layer;
Car tire pressure parameters;
The general condition of the car's suspension.
Please note that almost all of the listed reasons depend on the driver and, accordingly, on the condition of the car.
How to avoid hydroplaning
The first and basic rule to avoid hydroplaning is not to enter a puddle at speed. As a result of the tests, the critical hydroplaning speed was determined - 70 - 100 km / h. Although it is not a fact that the effect of aquaplaning may not occur even at a lower speed (see reasons).
Properly selected tires and their condition: the tread design must contain deep water evacuation channels. Naturally, tire wear should not exceed the parameters specified by the manufacturer. The most successful tire brands are: Michelin; Dunlop; Pirelli; goodyear.
When choosing tires for a car, you should pay attention to the presence of an icon indicating rain or the presence of words in the model name: water or aqua - water, rain - rain.
The condition of the car's suspension - by default, should comply with the norm. This is especially true for the condition of your car's shock absorbers.
What to do if hydroplaning occurs
Happens. Happened. Nobody is safe. What to do to minimize the unwanted effects of hydroplaning. First of all - do not panic, and take your foot off the gas pedal.
No hard braking. Sudden braking during aquaplaning causes the car to skid. Braking is done by the engine only.
Steering wheel position. With a high-speed entry into a puddle, the steering wheel can be knocked out of the hands due to the uneven entry of the wheels into the aquaplaning zone and the resulting hydrodynamic shock. Therefore, we hold the steering wheel firmly and according to the rules: the dial is 10-2 or 9-3.
No sudden movements of the steering wheel with an attempt to align the wheels. The fact is that the wheels will not react, but at the moment of a new adhesion to the road, a second skid occurs already in the direction where the wheels of the car are turned. The repeated skidding of the car is corrected by short steering movements in the direction of skidding with the wheels returning to the “straight” position.
By and large, you don’t have to remember all this, you just need to remember the hydroplaning effect, do not drive into puddles at a critical speed and try to overcome them in a straight line. And do not forget to systematically check the condition of the car's tires and suspension, always, but especially in difficult road seasons: autumn - winter - spring.
Good luck with preventing hydroplaning.
Why is early spring dangerous? On highways and other roads, with active snowmelt, water will accumulate in the lowlands. Especially, the appearance of large puddles is influenced by snow shafts, which limit the movement of melt water. First of all, the accumulation of water will be noticeable on roads laid along a hilly area, with alternating descents and ascents. All these water barriers can become a trap for inexperienced driver. And first of all, the danger lurks in aquaplaning.
aquaplaning- the appearance of water in the contact patch of the tire with the road surface. Occurs when a car hits an area with a water layer that separates the tires of a moving vehicle from the road surface, when the pressure of the weight of the car is not enough to remove water through the lamellas from the contact patch. As a result, a decrease in the adhesion of the wheel to the road surface and loss of vehicle controllability.
Evgeniy Barienikov, Deputy Head for Academic Affairs of the Center for Higher Driving Excellence, Professor E.S. gives his recommendations on driving during aquaplaning. Tsygankov.
What should be done when a water barrier appears on the way?
1. When a puddle appears, you need to reduce the speed of the car as much as possible.
2. Turn the brushes on in advance maximum mode so that when water gets on Windshield save review.
3. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in the correct position (“ten minutes to two” or “fifteen minutes to three”), fully covering steering wheel. The brushes should be compressed, the elbows apart, the body is tense. This is necessary so that when you get hit on the wheels, the steering wheel is not pulled out of your hands and the car does not start rotating.
4. Puddles should always be driven with straight front wheels, without turning.
5. As soon as the water's edge is out of sight, quickly but smoothly (without dropping the pedal) release the "brake". This will allow you to keep the pressure not only on the front wheels of the car during the entry into the puddle, but also quickly shift the weight of the car back to press rear wheels. With this action, we can maintain control over the handling and stability of the car in a puddle.
If the car enters a turn (the wheels are turned in one direction or another), then the first wheel that enters the water becomes an obstacle and a point around which rotation (skidding) can begin. The same situation can be repeated when leaving the puddle, when the first wheel, which received support, will pull the car along its trajectory. Therefore, it is also necessary to leave the water on straight wheels. Professional drivers and athletes, as a rule, pass water obstacles in a “double move” turn: the first “puts” the car up to a puddle, then the entrance with straight wheels, the second - a further turn to follow the trajectory. It is also possible to drive the car after entering the water, but in the form of a slight steering correction.
Common Mistakes
What happens when a water barrier appears? When braking, the distance between the bottom of the car and the road is reduced. If before entering the water, quickly release the brake pedal, then the "nose" of the car rises, and a mass of water swims under the bottom. The car sits on the water, and begins to plan like a boat, losing contact with the road. The car loses control due to aquaplaning.
Aquaplaning occurs at a speed of 90 km/h, even in shallow water during rain. At high speeds, aerodynamics raises the body above the road (it is to combat this effect that various spoilers and rear wings are installed), downforce wheels with the road is reduced, and due to this, their adhesion to the road surface decreases. The layer of water that is between the tread and the road is not displaced and hydroplaning occurs.
Reducing the effects of aquaplaning and driving in a skid is the lot of trained drivers. First of all, a person must understand what can happen in a situation theoretically, and be ready for it practically. If an unprepared driver passes a water barrier, he may not be able to cope with a skid (first or second) and provoke a negative situation with the exit to oncoming lane or sidetracking. The driver will come out of each emergency situation based on the acquired skills: the more of them, the faster and more correct his reaction will be.
Driving a car is always associated with the occurrence of dangerous and unexpected situations on the road, which can not always be predicted.
The most risky phenomenon for a motorist, which can lead to serious accidents and accidents, is hydroplaning, let's look at what hydroplaning is and how to counteract this phenomenon.
Tire hydroplaning is a partial or complete loss of tire grip due to the formation of a water film between the wheel and the road surface, causing the vehicle to slip. When hydroplaning, even the most experienced driver may lose control of the vehicle.
"Hydroplaning" by Dave Indech at English Wikipedia - English Wikipedia. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 from Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroplaning.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Hydroplaning.jpg
Causes of hydroplaning
There are not so many reasons for the appearance of the phenomenon of aquaplaning, however, the main ones include:
- High driving speed when entering a puddle on the roadway. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle is moving at a critical speed when adverse conditions(shower or rain, slippery road, deep puddles).
- Tire wear and low tread relief. If you drive a car with worn or bald tires, with a worn tread pattern in the rain, there is a high probability of hydroplaning.
- Low tire pressure.
- Worn or broken suspension.
- The condition of the roadway in rainy weather (the presence of bumps, bends, pits, potholes, etc.).
Manifestation of hydroplaning
Hydroplaning effect for various brands cars can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the type of drive.
At rear wheel drive vehicles hydroplaning starts at the front axle, moving to the rear axle. You can understand this by steering the steering wheel, which becomes too soft, but there is no response from the car. Thus, even without turning the steering wheel and without slowing down, there is a possibility of an accident.
In front-wheel drive vehicles, hydroplaning begins with rear axle, moving to the front axle. IN this case when you try to brake, it is possible to skid or rotate the car. by the most the best option in such a situation, it is not a deceleration, but its set, due to which the front drive wheels are able to take the car out of dangerous area, but you need to do this very carefully and with a clear understanding of what you are doing.
Ways to prevent hydroplaning
The phenomenon of hydroplaning can be avoided in a timely manner if the basic rules of driving are strictly adhered to.
- In order to avoid hydroplaning, first of all, you should take care of a reliable and safe rubber for your car. It is worth remembering that tire wear by 40-50% doubles the likelihood of hydroplaning. Choosing summer tires, pay attention to the tread pattern. It should be clear, deep, have deep grooves to drain water. When choosing tires, consider the presence of special icons that determine the conditions for their use - rain, snow, water.
- While driving in bad weather It is always worth monitoring the quality and condition of the roads. On a wet road with a lot of puddles, it is better to drive on average speed, and when entering a puddle - slow down as much as possible. Often hydroplaning occurs at a speed of 80-100 km / h, the thickness of the water surface of the roadway is only 1 mm. At high degree wear and tear automotive rubber and suspension, hydroplaning can occur even at a speed of 65 km / h.
- Check suspension condition. In case of wear or even minor damage, it is worth taking care of timely replacement.
Driver actions in the event of hydroplaning
What action should you take if, despite all precautions, you find yourself in a hydroplaning situation?
First of all, try not to panic. Do not make sudden movements and do not put pressure on the gas, if you are not sure of this action, it is better to release the gas. Any hard braking will only result in loss of tire contact with the road, skidding or vehicle rotation.
To begin with, we reduce the speed, braking is carried out only by the engine. In hydroplaning conditions, it is not necessary to turn the steering wheel and align the wheels, while observing correct position hands on the steering wheel - according to the scheme 10/2 or 9/3 (according to the clock face).
In any situation, it is worth remembering the effect of aquaplaning, so it is worth overcoming puddles only at a reduced speed and in a straight line.
Only by following the rules of driving and common sense in the head, the effect of tire hydroplaning can be avoided. This video clearly demonstrates what aquaplaning is and all its dangers:
