70 Chapter 4 — Your Driving Sun Glare Rain Hydroplaning Never use cruise control when it is raining or after it has been raining.  If your  vehicle starts to hydroplane, the time that it takes to turn off the cruise control  or tap the brake pedal to release it, could mean the difference in maintaining or  losing control of your vehicle. Be alert to warning signs of standing water on the roadway, which can lead  to hydroplaning. These include visible reflections on the surface of the water;  “dimples” created by rain drops as they hit the water; a “slushing” sound made by  your tires; and a “loose” feeling in your steering wheel. If driving after a rainstorm  has just ended, continue to be cautious. Rain leaves puddles in the road for several  hours, even days after the showers stop, that can cause a car to hydroplane. Before going out in rainy weather, check your tires. Tires with deep, open treads  allow water to escape and help prevent hydroplaning at moderate speeds. Tires  with worn tread and those that are under inflated have less grip on the road  surface, increasing your chance of hydroplaning. To properly handle skids, it  is better to have tire pressure on the high side, rather than the low side, of the  manufacturer’s specifications. Hydroplaning occurs when a thin sheet of water gets between the road surface  and a vehicle’s tires, causing them to lose contact with the road. The vehicle then  begins a skidding movement across the road. Hydroplaning can start at speeds as  low as 30 miles per hour and in water little more than 1 /8 inch deep. When your  speed increases, so do the chances of hydroplaning. Your ability to stop, or even  slow your vehicle, is greatly reduced. Once you begin to hydroplane, any sudden  jerking of the steering wheel or even a strong gust of wind can send you into an  uncontrollable skid that can result in a crash. If you do begin to hydroplane, take  your foot off the gas pedal.  Resist your instinct to use the brakes . Keep your  steering wheel straight and let the car’s momentum decrease until the tires grip the road again and you regain control. Roads are more dangerous just after rain has begun to fall, especially if it has not  rained for a while. For the first 10 to 15 minutes, rain combines with oil from  asphalt and vehicles, and with dirt, dust and rubber to create a slick surface. You  should drive with extreme caution. Drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower  on wet pavement than you would on dry pavement. You must also be prepared if  your vehicle hydroplanes.  Rain reduces visibility and makes pavement dangerous. You may be able to see only a few feet ahead; therefore, you should drive more slowly than usual, and you must use your headlights and windshield wipers. Stopping distances  on slippery pavement increases from two to 10 times farther than on dry  pavement; therefore, slow down and allow yourself at least twice the normal  following distance. Sunlight, either direct or reflected, poses a dangerous driving situation for drivers.  To reduce this problem, adjust your sun visor and wear sunglasses. If these do not  help, stop on the roadside until you can drive safely.