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What to do if your car hydroplanes

According to smartmotorists.com, hydroplaning happens when tires move too quickly across a wet road, and loses traction. If you find yourself in a hydroplane, the site suggests lifting your feet off the gas until steering returns. Do not apply your brakes or attempt to turn the steering wheel.

How do you get out of a fishtail?

Oversteering -- or fishtailing -- occurs when you turn your car, but only the front wheels have traction, according to driversedguru.com. When this happens, the website suggests that you ease your foot off the gas and don’t brake. If your foot is already on the brake, lift it off slowly. And then, steer into the direction you want to go to, or “steer into the skid.”

What to do you if your car spins out

A car can spin out of control if it’s already fishtailing or hydroplaning. If you find yourself in a spin, smartmotorists.com suggests taking your feet off the gas and do not brake. Like you would deal with fishtailing, remain calm and “steer into the skid.” Both scenarios are caused by oversteering, and can be handled similarly.

Why keep a good following distance?

It’s important to keep a safe following distance to prevent an accident in the case that other motorists brake too quickly. Smartmotorists.com estimates that a car going 64 miles per hour can travel at about 96 feet per second while braking. Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania calculate that a vehicle's total stopping distance is about 304 feet -- about the length of a football field. Protect yourself with extra space to brake or maneuver.

How often should you check your tire pressure?

A properly inflated tire not only saves money because it improves gas mileage, it also help prevent breakdowns and crashes that are caused from tire failure. According to the tire experts at Michelin, tires can lose up to 1 pound per square inch every month. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends checking tires once a month to ensure proper tire pressure.