Other tips and advice
A Safer Drive
A Safer Drive
A few good things to be reminded of… and maybe even a few tips you didn’t know about!
Driving safely on wet roads
- Always drive with two hands on the wheel to stay in control.
- Slow down: tyres will have better traction and contact with the road.
- Increase your distance from other cars significantly.
- Stay vigilant of other drivers and dangers in your surroundings. Anticipate dangerous situations rather than waiting to react to them.
- Before turning: only brake in a straight line before the turn, and do so gradually. Do not brake during the turn as this can make you slip.
- While turning: slow down before turning, and maintain a consistent speed throughout the turn.
- While turning: don’t make any sudden steering wheel movements.
- Inspect your tyres monthly: make sure that your tyres have the proper amount of tread and tyre pressure.
- Choose tyres that offer maximum grip in wet weather.
Braking in rain
- On wet roads, braking distance is increased compared to dry roads.
- Brake much earlier than you would on dry roads.
- Double the distance between you and the car in front; you will need the extra time to stop safely.
What to do if you slide forward instead of turning
What is it?
Your front tyres lose traction before your rear tyres. This is called under-steering. Your car doesn’t follow the turn and slides straight off the road.
Avoid sliding
What is it?
Your rear or front tyres won’t follow the direction of the steering.
How to regain control:
Gently ease up on the accelerator and slow down until the car regains traction.
How to avoid it:
- Check tyre pressure monthly.
- Check tread depth monthly – tyres need enough tread to disperse water
Driving tip:
- Drive slower in rain or on wet roads.
Oversteering and Understeering
Avoid spinning out from a turn
What is it?
Your rear tyres lose traction before your front tyres and you start to spin.
How to regain control:
- If you have a front-wheel drive car: accelerate, and if you need to, turn into the slide.
- If you have a rear-wheel drive car: ease up on the accelerator and turn away from the slide.
- If you have an all-wheel drive car: turn into the slide. Once you have regained traction, correct the steering.
How to avoid it:
- Check tyre pressure monthly.
- Check tread depth monthly.
- Have your tyres rotated regularly so that they wear evenly.
- If you only buy two new tyres, make sure that they are placed at the rear of the vehicle.
Driving tip:
Do not turn too sharply.
Safety Tips for Wet Driving | MICHELIN®
Avoid aquaplaning
What is it?
The tyres slip and do not respond to steering, braking or accelerating. The vehicle can even skid or spin.
It occurs when the water between your tyres and the road cannot be removed quickly enough. This layer of water builds up in front of the tyre until the pressure of the water exceeds the pressure of the tyre on the road. This is when the tyre loses contact with the road.
How to regain control:
- Don’t hit the brakes suddenly.
- Ease off the accelerator gently until you slow down and regain traction.
How to avoid it:
- Check your tyre pressure monthly. Tyre pressure below 30% of what is recommended greatly increases the risk of aquaplaning.
- Check tyre wear and tread depth monthly. The more tread depth you have, the more water your tyres can disperse.
- Reduce your speed when approaching large puddles or standing water.
