1993 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 159

Hydroplaning Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some vehicle washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can't, try to slow down before you hit them. Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it haslittle I or no contact with the road. I I You might not be aware hydroplaning. of You could drive along for some time without realizing your tires aren't in constant contact with the road. You could find out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out to pass-or if youget hit a gustof wind. You could by suddenly find yourself of control. out Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your tires haven't much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a of water is standing lot on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, other or vehicles, and raindrops "dimple" the water's surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining, and be careful. CAUTION Wet brakes can cause They won't work may cause V;ell in a quick stop and pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a vehicle wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until ~ ubrakes work-normally. r 2accidents. I \I 157