What to Do If Your Car Starts Hydroplaning

If hydroplaning occurs, ease off the accelerator, keep the steering wheel straight, avoid hard braking or sudden turns, and wait for the tires to regain grip; if a collision is imminent, brake appropriately for your system (steady, firm pressure with ABS; gentle, rhythmic braking without ABS). Once traction returns, slow down, increase following distance, and proceed cautiously. This guidance reflects best practices from road-safety agencies and driving experts.

Understanding Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds between your tires and the road, causing a temporary loss of steering, braking, and traction. It’s most likely at higher speeds, during the first minutes of rain, in standing water, or with worn or underinflated tires. Recognizing the sensation—sudden lightness in the steering, a rise in engine RPM without acceleration, or a drifting feeling—helps you respond correctly and calmly.

Immediate Steps to Take

The following actions help you stabilize the vehicle and restore traction with minimal risk. They prioritize smooth inputs and patience, which are essential when tires are skimming over water.

• Stay calm and keep a relaxed grip on the wheel; fight the urge to react sharply.
• Gently ease off the accelerator to reduce speed; do not slam on the brakes.
• Keep the steering wheel straight; make only slight corrections to keep your intended path.
• If you drive a manual, press the clutch to remove engine torque; in an automatic, simply hold a steady steering line as you lift off the gas.
• Look where you want to go and steer smoothly in that direction; avoid overcorrection.
• If braking is unavoidable because of an obstacle:
  

  • With ABS: apply firm, steady pressure and let the system pulse the brakes while you steer.
  • Without ABS: use gentle, rhythmic (cadence) braking to prevent wheel lockup while maintaining steering control.

These measures reduce speed and help the tires cut back through the water film, restoring road contact without introducing instability.

What Not to Do

Equally important is avoiding actions that worsen the skid or reduce your ability to steer. The following mistakes commonly turn a manageable hydroplane into a spin or collision.

• Do not slam on the brakes or yank the steering wheel.
• Do not accelerate; added torque can prolong the loss of traction.
• Do not downshift suddenly (in manuals) or attempt abrupt gear changes (in automatics).
• Do not rely on cruise control; it can apply throttle at the wrong moment—turn it off in wet conditions.
• Do not aim for standing water; avoid puddles and ruts where water collects when safe to do so.

Avoiding these errors preserves the narrow margin of control you retain while the tires ride on water, improving your odds of a smooth recovery.

After Traction Returns

Once the tires reconnect with the road, you’re not out of danger; residual water, reduced visibility, and shaken focus still pose risks. The steps below help you reset and continue safely.

1. Continue to slow to a safe speed and increase following distance.
2. Assess traffic and conditions; if the episode was severe, safely pull over to regroup.
3. Turn off or avoid cruise control for the remainder of the trip in wet weather.
4. Be alert for repeat hydroplaning in low spots, curves, or areas with visible standing water.
5. If the vehicle feels unstable, check tire pressures and tread depth when you can stop safely.

These actions lower the likelihood of a second incident and help you drive more defensively while the road remains slick.

Reducing the Chance It Happens Again

While the question focuses on what to do during hydroplaning, preventing it is your best defense. These measures materially reduce risk, especially in the first 10–15 minutes of rain or on worn pavement.

• Slow down in rain—especially below 50 mph (80 km/h) where hydroplaning risk rises sharply.
• Maintain proper tire inflation and ensure adequate tread depth; replace worn tires promptly.
• Avoid standing water and drive in the tire tracks of vehicles ahead when safe.
• Make gentle inputs: accelerate, brake, and steer smoothly in wet conditions.
• Keep windshields, wipers, and lights in good condition for visibility and reaction time.

Preventive habits shrink the thin margin between grip and glide, making hydroplaning less likely and less severe if it does occur.

Summary

If your car hydroplanes, stay calm, lift off the accelerator, steer straight with gentle corrections, and avoid hard braking or sudden moves until traction returns. If braking is unavoidable, use firm, steady pressure with ABS or gentle cadence braking without ABS. Afterward, slow down, increase following distance, and proceed cautiously. Prevention—good tires, lower speeds, smooth inputs, and avoiding standing water—remains the most effective strategy.

What should you do first if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?

If your vehicle starts to hydroplane you should avoid panic, ease off the gas, and steer gently to recover control. Keeping your tires well-maintained and slowing down in wet conditions will further reduce the risks of a hydroplaning car.

What do you do if hydroplaning occurs?

What to do if you start hydroplaning? It can be alarming when this happens, but it’s important to stay calm. While you should take your foot off the accelerator immediately, do not apply the brakes suddenly. Instead, turn the steering wheel gently in the direction in which the car is hydroplaning.

What should you do if you start hydroplaning?

If you hydroplane, stay calm and ease your foot off the gas pedal to reduce speed, as slamming on the brakes or turning sharply can make the slide worse. Gently steer in the direction your car is sliding until your tires regain traction with the road. Do not make sudden steering adjustments or brake abruptly. 
Steps to Take While Hydroplaning

1. Stay Calm: Panicking can lead to overcorrection and worsen the situation. 
2. Ease Off the Accelerator: Take your foot off the gas pedal to slow the car down. 
3. Avoid Braking Suddenly: Do not slam on the brakes, as this can cause you to lose control or spin. 
4. Steer Gently: Turn your steering wheel in the direction your car is sliding to help regain control. 
5. Wait for Traction: Continue steering gently and wait until you feel the tires connect with the road again before attempting to straighten the vehicle. 
6. Brake Lightly (If Needed): If you must brake, use a light pumping action or apply gentle, even pressure to the brake pedal. 

This video explains what to do if your car hydroplanes: 53sNationwideYouTube · Sep 3, 2019
Preventing Hydroplaning

• Drive Slower: Reduce your speed, especially on wet roads. 
• Check Tire Tread: Ensure your tires have good tread depth and are properly inflated. 
• Avoid Cruise Control: Do not use cruise control in rainy conditions. 
• Give More Space: Maintain a greater following distance from other vehicles. 
• Stay Alert: Be aware of the possibility of hydroplaning in wet conditions. 

What is hydroplaning CDL?

For a CDL driver, hydroplaning is the dangerous loss of tire traction on a wet road surface, where a vehicle’s tires ride on a film of water rather than the pavement, making steering and braking extremely difficult or impossible. This risk is increased by high speeds, worn tires, and poor road conditions. To avoid it, drivers must reduce speed, especially in wet conditions, maintain proper tire tread and inflation, and be cautious of standing water.
 
What Happens During Hydroplaning

• Loss of Traction: A thin layer of water accumulates between the tire and the road, preventing the tire from gripping the pavement effectively. 
• Loss of Control: This lack of traction means the vehicle may not be controllable. 
• Difficulty with Vehicle Controls: Steering, braking, and accelerating become ineffective, as the tires slide on the water. 

Factors That Increase the Risk

• Speed: Driving too fast for wet conditions is a major cause. 
• Tire Condition: Worn tire tread depth limits a tire’s ability to channel water away, making hydroplaning more likely. 
• Tire Pressure: Low tire pressure also contributes to the increased risk of hydroplaning. 
• Water Depth: Deeper puddles and standing water create more significant hydroplaning risks. 
• Road Condition: Ruts and other road defects can increase the amount of water that collects, raising the risk. 

How to Prevent Hydroplaning

• Reduce Speed: Slow down significantly on wet roads; wet conditions can increase stopping distance. 
• Use Tire Tracks: Following the tire tracks of the vehicle ahead can provide better traction by displacing some of the water. 
• Avoid Cruise Control: Disabling cruise control in wet conditions ensures continuous driver control over the throttle. 
• Inspect Tires: Ensure tires have adequate tread depth and proper inflation to effectively disperse water. 
• Be Aware: Scan the road for puddles and other signs of standing water. 

What to Do If You Hydroplane

1. Stay Calm: Don’t panic or make sudden movements. 
2. Release the Accelerator: Gently ease off the gas pedal to allow the vehicle to slow down. 
3. Do Not Slam Brakes: Avoid hard braking, which can worsen a skid. 
4. Gently Steer Straight: Continue to hold the steering wheel steady and pointed in the desired direction.