Getting An Edge On Wet Roads
by: News Canada
There's probably no worse feeling. You're driving on a wet
stretch of road and all of a sudden it feels as though your
vehicle has a mind of its own. Of course, your vehicle isn't
possessed; it has "caught a wave." You're hydroplaning – your
tires are no longer in direct contact with the road as they are
riding on top of the water that has pooled on the road.
Hydroplaning can occur when a combination of speed, tire wear,
tire inflation or the depth of water on the pavement causes the
tires to lose traction. Essentially, a layer of water creates a
barrier between the road and your tires. This barrier can cause
you to lose traction and glide or hydroplane across the water's
surface.
In wet weather, the tires that have been properly maintained and
are in good running condition can cut through the water and
maintain contact with the pavement at speeds less than 50 km/h.
In cases where the tires are excessively worn (bald tires) or
underinflated, or the water is very deep, you may still
hydroplane at slower speeds.
At higher speeds (70 km/h and higher), the wedge of water in
front of the tires may pass under the tires and the tires will
ride on a cushion of water – resulting in a possible complete
loss of traction.
Tire manufacturers are continually working to produce tires that
give you an edge in wet conditions. HydroEdge™, Michelin's latest
ultra-premium (mass-market) tire offers superior performance on
dry or wet surfaces as well as exceptional hydroplaning
resistance.
"The all-season tire HydroEdge features dual center grooves that
are not exposed to the sipes or other water execution
mechanisms," explains Tony Mougios, Michelin Brand Manager for
Canada. "This means that these tires can evacuate water very
quickly. Specially angled HydroChutes also reduce the water flow
turbulence for excellent overall wet weather performance."
Along with purchasing tires that offer hydroplaning resistance
like HydroEdge, Michelin offers the following tips for preventing
and/or dealing with hydroplaning.
To prevent hydroplaning:
Check your tires and tire inflation regularly
Reduce your speed even more when approaching still water and
puddles
Drive in the tracks of preceding vehicles
Should your vehicle hydroplane:
Shift to neutral (on a standard transmission, depress the clutch)
Activate the hazard lights
Grip the steering wheel firmly and steer where you want to go
Avoid braking or accelerating
Check your rear view mirror
- News Canada
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering
access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media,
with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and
analysis are two more of our primary services. The service
supplies access to the national media for marketers in the
private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your
corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are
packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made
available to every Canadian media organization including weekly
and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations,
radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most
often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.
<<---------------- End of Free Reprint Article ------------->>
Find More Free Articles
All Free Automotive & Truck Articles
All
Free Motorcycle & Off Road Articles
Index of All Free Reprint Articles
