Longer braking distances, poor visibility and the possibility of aquaplaning plague drivers in (heavy) rain. Aquaplaning is a real source of uncertainty or even fear for many drivers. However, aquaplaning is rarely the cause of an accident: only in 0.01 per cent of cases is there a risk of total aquaplaning when driving in the rain. In this article, we explain when aquaplaning can occur, when it is actually a risk and how you can prevent it.
What is aquaplaning?
Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water forms between the car tyre and the road. This prevents grip on the road surface and causes a loss of control over the vehicle – if all tyres are affected at the same time. You then completely lose grip on the road surface.
However, a complete loss of control occurs very rarely and only affects one per cent of road traffic.
How does aquaplaning occur?
Conditions for aquaplaning are primarily poor road conditions and standing water. Busy roads often have deep ruts that can turn into real water channels in heavy rain. You should avoid these areas when the road is wet, as even a thin layer of water can be dangerous.
How fast you drive is also crucial. Tyres are designed in such a way that they can push water to the side. But above a certain speed and a certain mass of water, they can no longer do this. The water then pushes itself between the tyres and the road like a wedge, and the car virtually ‘floats’.
Warning signals: How to recognise aquaplaning at an early stage
Before we give you tips on how to successfully avoid aquaplaning, we will show you how to correctly assess the situation beforehand. Keep an eye not only on the road, but also on other road users. Pay attention to the spray and water on the wheels of other cars. Without acoustic signals, it is difficult to recognise aquaplaning at an early stage. This is because it is often signalled by loud noises. Avoid listening to loud music or podcasts in heavy rain and pay attention to changes in engine speed and the sound of water.
Another sign of possible aquaplaning is weaker forces on the steering wheel. If you notice less resistance, this could be a sign that your vehicle is about to lose control. If you are driving a rear-wheel drive vehicle, it is difficult to detect the front wheels floating. In front-wheel drive cars that do not have an electronic stability programme (ESP), pay attention to the speed. Once the speed of flotation is reached, the engine speed will fluctuate. On vehicles with ESP, keep an eye on the reactions of the car and the indicator lights.
How to successfully avoid aquaplaning
In the worst case, it may be too late to react. Here’s what you can do to prevent aquaplaning in the first place:
Before setting off
- Whether SUV, estate car or limousine: Check the tread depth and air pressure of your tyres across the entire tread width at regular intervals.
- Replace your worn tyres in good time – at the latest as soon as the tread depth is less than 3.5 millimetres.
- Check the direction of rotation of your tyres. The direction of travel is usually indicated by an arrow on the tyre sidewall.
- Worn shock absorbers can also increase the risk of aquaplaning. Check these before driving in the rain.
- Driver safety training can help you to react appropriately in an emergency.
While driving
- Adapt your speed to the road conditions: Heavy rain reduces your visibility and increases braking distances. Slowing down reduces the risk of aquaplaning.
- Drive with foresight so that you can recognise large puddles of water in good time and drive around them. Warning signs indicate an increased risk of aquaplaning. Pay attention to changing tarmac surfaces and be particularly careful on bends.
- Do not panic: Do not react abruptly if you drive towards a large puddle of water in the rain. Avoid emergency braking or sudden corrective movements. Stay in your lane and drive the car through the puddle. Reduce your speed by taking your foot off the accelerator and depressing the clutch until your vehicle has regained traction on the road.
- Switch on the lights: It is not only important that you see everything, but also that you are seen. Especially when it is raining, you should switch on your dipped headlights so that other road users can see you promptly. If visibility is less than 150 metres, you can also switch on your fog lights on the motorway.
- Keep your distance: Be prepared for as much as possible and keep an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front – at least one and a half times as much as when the road is dry and visibility is better.
Safety features of Volvo cars
Volvo cars are equipped with the latest safety technology to minimise the risk of aquaplaning. The electronic stability program (ESC) detects loss of control at an early stage and stabilises the vehicle through targeted braking and engine intervention. The intelligent all-wheel drive ensures better traction on wet roads, while sensors monitor tyre pressure and tread depth. In addition, adaptive cruise control improves driving safety in the rain by automatically adjusting the distance to the vehicle in front. These sophisticated assistance systems help Volvo drivers stay in control even in difficult road conditions.
