Tyre Aquaplaning- Watch out for sudden rain downpour? Especially with bald tyres.
Tyre Aquaplaning
Like the rest of the planet. Britain has been struck by large spells of torrential rain. Here in Halifax, UK, we are part of the Calder valley, river and canal system. The river Calder is surrounded by steep hills. Also with many small country roads at each side for much of its length. This has a funneling effect for any rain that falls. Especially, heavy rain.
This winter has seen really bad flooding in the Calder valley. As a result, towns such as Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd were very badly flooded. In this case, on Boxing Day of 2015.
Our area was deluged. Therefore, the water was coming down the country roads, like rivers. Accordingly, the vehicle in which I was travelling was fitted out with winter tyres. Because of this, I felt safe and secure in the knowledge that the car would not aquaplane. My car ploughed through the water and I felt confident that my winter tyres were disposing of all the water that the heavens could throw at us.
Tyre aquaplaning is caused when builds up in front of your tyres at a faster pace than the weight of your car can push out of the way. This causes the car to rise up, and creates a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road surface.
Tyre Aquaplaning
When this happens. Then, your car is virtually out of control, Of course, and can have a will of its own. Often, drifting out in any direction and even off the road. The worse scenarios are combined with the lack of tyre tread (bald tyres). We have all seen the effects. As a result on racing tyre slicks, (the racing tyres with no tread pattern at all) when there is a sudden downpour during a race.
The race cars just lose total control, well this is what happens with your tyres aquaplaning.
Better still fit winter tyres, they are not just for the snow, but will get rid of most of the water and will make your life much safer, during any bad weather.
Also watch out when it rains for the first time after a dry spell. The rain mixes with the oil and other chemicals on the road surface and can make it very slippery. This condition often causes many crashes.
If you are driving through a storm and the rain gets too heavy then pull over and stop (when it is safe to do so of course).