What is the recommended action if your car hydroplanes?

When a car hydroplanes, it loses contact with the road and begins to skid on a layer of water. The recommended action in such a situation is to steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. This approach helps to regain control of the vehicle by aligning the wheels with the path you intend to take.

If you turn in the direction you want to go, you can help the tires reconnect with the surface of the road as the vehicle slows down, allowing for better traction. This technique is essential because it utilizes the natural dynamics of the vehicle to facilitate regaining control.

Braking hard can result in further loss of control, as it may cause the tires to lock up in a slippery condition. Accelerating would also increase the speed and may worsen the hydroplaning situation, while turning off your engine does not address the immediate need to steer and regain control over the vehicle. Thus, steering in the direction you want to go is the most effective response in a hydroplaning scenario.