applying your smart driving skills Loss of traction You in the driver’s seat driving tip Rain  Strategies: driving on wet roads warning! 120 Hydroplaning happens when the tires lose contact with the  road surface and float on a film of water. The driver instantly  loses control of steering and braking. It can happen in  rain or standing water. The higher your speed, the greater  your chances of hydroplaning. You can tell if your vehicle is  hydroplaning because the steering will suddenly become very light.  Never use cruise control in  wet or slippery conditions.  Your owner’s manual will  tell you to use it only in  ideal driving conditions.  Rain makes the road surface slippery, especially during the  beginning of a rainfall. The rain mixes with the oil on the road to  create a slippery, oily film. This film washes away with continued  rain, but if the rain is light or if it has not rained for a long time,  the road will remain slippery longer. Make sure your vehicle  tires are in good condition,  properly inflated and  suitable for the driving  conditions.  Rain can cause two dangerous driving conditions:  Rain, snow and ice can affect your traction. Loose gravel,  wet leaves, mud or sand can also make roads slippery and  dangerous. Slow down and use caution when driving on any  low‑traction surface, and avoid driving altogether in extremely  bad weather conditions. It snowed during the night. You’re just starting out to pick  up some groceries. You’ve driven in snow before, so you  don’t think this should be a problem. As you move slowly  down the driveway, you apply the brake lightly to test your  braking distance. Your car slides slightly — this is more  dangerous than you thought at first. There is ice as well as  snow.  What should you do? Make sure you have good control when roads are wet:  • Slow down and leave more following distance.  • Allow at least twice the normal braking distance.  • Brake gently so the wheels don’t lock.  • loss of traction  • hydroplaning.