Losing control of your vehicle is a frightening prospect for drivers. But the wet weather, slick roads, and otherwise hazardous conditions in Central Florida mean it’s a possibility many motorists may encounter.
At Nimble Towing Service, we’ve seen all sorts of loss of control situations and work quickly to get vehicles back on track.
While our skilled roadside assistance can help after the fact, it’s best to understand ways to prevent loss of control accidents and recover when they do happen.
Hydroplaning occurs when a thin layer of water builds up between the road surface and your tires during heavy rain, causing them to lose contact and traction with the pavement. At high speeds, vehicles can “ski” uncontrollably on the water layer, leaving drivers unable to steer or brake effectively. During a hydroplane, your vehicle may feel light and unresponsive.
If you feel yourself starting to hydroplane, avoid sudden braking or turning the wheel sharply, as this can cause you to spin out. Ease your foot off the gas pedal to slow down until the tires regain traction with the road.
To prevent hydroplaning, reduce speed when roads are wet and avoid puddles or areas with standing water. Inspect tire tread depth regularly, as worn treads increase hydroplaning risk. Choose tires with water evacuation channels designed to displace water from the contact patch.
Roads covered in ice, freezing rain, or snow transform into slick surfaces with dramatically reduced traction. Icy conditions increase chances of sliding through turns, intersections, and bridges.
If you start to slide on ice, continue looking and steering where you want the vehicle to go while avoiding abrupt braking or acceleration. Downshift gently if you have a manual transmission and use the engine to slow the wheels.
To prevent ice-related loss of control, drive slowly in winter weather allowing ample distance for braking. Have snow tires installed for improved grip and traction. Check antifreeze levels and keep windshield fluid reservoirs full.
A sudden blowout can make your vehicle pull dramatically to one side as the deflated tire loses integrity. Blowouts most often occur from worn tires or inadequate inflation.
In the event of a blowout, hold the steering wheel with both hands and refrain from slamming on the brakes, as this may cause you to spin out. Ease off the gas to allow the car to naturally slow down as you look for a safe place to pull over.
Routinely check tire pressure and tread depth. Replace tires before they reach wear bars. Choosing high quality tires and performing alignments reduces chances of blowouts occurring.
Need fast roadside assistance for an unexpected tire blowout, engine failure, or accident? Call Nimble Towing today at (407) 357-0777, and check out what are Roadside Assistance services offer the Orlando, Kissimmee metro area in Central Florida…
A brake system failure can leave you unable to slow or stop your vehicle. Warning signs include odd sounds when braking, brake pedal sinking to the floor, pulling to one side, or illumination of the brake warning light.
If you start experiencing brake failure, downshift immediately to use engine braking and look for a safe place to coast to a stop away from traffic. Avoid using parking or emergency brakes at high speeds. Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build pressure.
To prevent brake failure, inspect brake pads and rotors regularly and replace them when worn. Ensure brake fluid levels are adequate and change fluid per manufacturer schedule. Check brake lines for leaks or damage. Listen for odd sounds and have issues checked out immediately.
Strong winds can grab vehicles and push them off course, especially high profile vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and RVs. Maintain a firm grip on the wheel with both hands. Brace your body against crosswinds by positioning yourself toward the windward side of the car. Reduce speed to give yourself more time to react.
Limited visibility from heavy rain, fog, or darkness leads to loss of control simply from drivers being unable to see hazards or navigate safely. Use low beams, fog lights, and windshield wipers when needed. Increase following distance to give yourself ample time to see and respond to situations.
Problems like blowouts, brake failure, cracked axels, or engine issues can all cause drivers to suddenly lose the ability to steer or stop vehicles. Make sure your car is properly maintained, inspect tires often, and listen for any unusual sounds from the engine or axels when operating. Resist slamming on brakes if they start to give out. Instead, downshift and look for somewhere safe to coast to a stop.
Driver distraction, intoxication, drowsiness, and speeding often play a major role in loss of control too. Eliminate cell phone use, eat a meal before driving, limit passengers, and obey speed limits and traffic signs to prevent human error related accidents.
No matter how safety-conscious you are, there’s always a chance of encountering slick roads, poor visibility, or malfunctions out of your control. At Nimble Towing Service, our trained technicians have years of experience helping Central Florida drivers recover from loss of control events.
Our roadside assistance crews are ready round the clock to get your vehicle safely off highways and back on track after an incident. But following these prevention tips can help limit hazards before they happen.
If you’ve had an accident please call 911 immediately. Thanks for reading and drive safe Orlando!
