Macan Becomes Victim of Hydroplaning on Freeway
It doesn’t matter if your Porsche is AWD or not, hydroplaning can effect any vehicle.
There are few occasions where driving is more dangerous than on a wet road. Most of the time nowadays drivers are more distracted more than ever. Texting and social media use while driving is inevitable even with the continual innovation of hands-free technology. When a rain or downpour starts while driving on the freeway, this is the most important time to be alert behind the wheel. During the beginning of a rain, the water will extract all of the fluids, debris out of the dry pavement. This means that water can be mixed with oil or any other type of substance that is being pulled out of the pavement.
There are several precautions one can take to remain safe during such conditions. In this video by Tesla Cam, we will analysis what this Macan driver did wrong and how the accident could have been prevented.
Firstly, it is quite obvious that this driver is going well above the pace of traffic. This is without a doubt a error. In case of any type of braking or evasive maneuvers, the Macan will have a greatly increased braking distance and overall traction compared to normal. You also cannot be certain of the condition of the upcoming road. Will there be standing water or a large puddle? Is the drainage sufficient on the road? Maybe the road doesn’t even have a drainage system. These are all things to take into account. The best way be prepared for these situations is by reducing one’s speed to a safer more controllable pace. Freeway speeds are heavily susceptible to hydroplaning.
The second most important factor to consider is the conditions of the tires equipped to the vehicle. The only connection to the road surface is the tires, thus, they are critical for poor driving conditions. The grooves and channels built into the tire is what dissipates water and allows the car to maintain traction. If the tires are sub-optimal, they will not be able to perform properly especially under such conditions. It’s just good preparation to ensure that your tires are okay both on tread-depth and condition, it’s best to check them on a bi-monthly basis at least. AWD or any other traction control system is never better than using common sense and precaution. Stay safe out there and enjoy your Porsche!