Final answer:
Hydroplaning occurs when the front tires lose contact with the road on a wet surface, leading to a loss of steering capability. It can be guarded against by maintaining proper tire pressure, reducing speed, and avoiding areas with pooled water. Both light and heavy rain can contribute to hydroplaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Losing contact between the front tires of a vehicle and the road surface on a wet road, resulting in a loss of steering capability, is known as hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur when there is a layer of water between the tires and the road, causing the tires to lose traction. To guard against hydroplaning, it is important to maintain proper tire pressure, reduce speed, and avoid areas with pooled water. A light rain can still lead to hydroplaning, while a heavy rain may increase the risk even further.