Water on the roadway — Montana Permit Test

When the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph; faster than that, they start to float on a film of water.

A driver who keeps highway speed in the rain may find the tires riding on water instead of road.

When the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph.

Tires floating on a film of water is called hydroplaning.

A driver who does not know the word may not notice the steering going light until the car slides.

However, as you go faster your tires will actually start to float on a film of water.

In heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about 50 mph.

At that speed in a downpour the steering and brakes stop working, because the tires are not touching the road.

In heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about 50 mph.

Bald or badly worn tires lose traction on wet roads at much lower speeds than good tires.

Worn tread cannot push water away, so a car on bald tires skates at speeds that feel slow.

Bald or badly worn tires will lose traction at much lower speeds.

The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is otherwise wet.

No tire or driving trick saves a car going too fast through standing water.

The best way to keep from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is otherwise wet.

If your tires lose traction, ease off the gas, keep the wheel straight, and do not try to stop or turn until the tires grip the road again.

Braking or turning hard while the tires float throws the car sideways the moment they touch down.

Ease your foot off the gas pedal.

On a wet road, up to about what speed do most tires keep good traction?

35 mph. A driver who keeps highway speed in the rain may find the tires riding on water instead of road. Montana Driver Manual, p.60: “When the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph.”