ESSENTIAL CAR TIPS FOR THE RAINY SEASON

We don't need to be reminded that the rain can be dangerous. Living in a state like Lagos, we are all too familiar with the harsh realities of perennial flooding.  But even in the absence of floods, it pays to take extra care in preparing to drive once it starts raining. 

For most drivers, they only know the general rules of driving during rainy weather. These include;

• keeping your lights on.

• Slowing down and maintaining the distance between your car and the next. 

 

There is more to that. You should know how to take proper care of your vehicle during a rainy season.

The following are important car tips you to be observed once it’s a rainy season:

 

1. Keep your car clean and waxed. 

If you want to keep your car’s exterior looking good even during rainy seasons, you need to clean your car and consider waxing it. Car paint is just as vulnerable to water spots as glass is. A good, protective layer of wax can help keep those spots from forming and makes it easier to clean the car after the rain. 

 Before you wash your car, use plenty of water to get rid of the deposits. Then you can start to wash your car from the top with a soft cloth or sponge.

 

2.  Check your battery.

    

While a car battery can last up to five years, the rainy season in this country often cuts that down to just one or two. Cold, wet weather can stress your battery, and humidity can cause terminal corrosion and minor electrical grounds that can drain it overnight. If your car becomes harder to start, or the lights dim at idle, or if the battery shows signs of drying out or bloating, it's probably time to change. Spending on a new battery is a whole lot better than spending the night stranded in the rain.

 

3. Vision and distance

Driving in the rain limits your vision. This is why it is a requirement in many states to have your headlight and taillight on when you are driving during rainy seasons. Checking the condition of the headlights and taillights provides you with a better vision and it also helps other road users to know your location. Make sure they are on, and if you want to get the best visibility, dipped beam lights are the best.

 

4. Check wiper blades and brakes

You might not have used the wipers for several months, especially during summer. When the rainy season comes, you should ensure that the wipers are working perfectly. For the best performance, consider changing the wiper blades every year. This will assure you of continuous visibility.

 

5. Use good tires.

    

The grooves on tires are specifically designed to channel water away from the "contact patch" of rubber that glues your car to the road. Excessively worn tires with shallow tread struggle to remove water out of the way. Make sure also the wheel is appropriately aligned to avoid skidding your car, which is submerged in water during the rainy seasons. Always check your tires and replace them if they are worn out for a safe drive. Also, keep to the specified tire pressure.

 

6. Ensure the electrical connections in your car are good.

Avoid loose connections and ensure that connections are properly insulated where necessary. Ensure the fuses are intact. Bad electrical connections might affect your headlight, taillight, and other important systems so there’s a need to make sure all electrical connections are properly fixed. 

 

7. Get a car perfume

A foul smell is literally a headache for the automobile lovers during the monsoon. Moisture creates a mould which is not hygienic either. Humidity worsens the situation. In this case, always keep a good pleasant-smelling perfume in the car. Check your carpets and mats for the odor.

 

8.  Drive at a cautious speed.

Over-speeding on wet roads can be very dangerous. Always ensure you’re driving at a speed you can easily control in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The wet roads can increase the stopping time of your car thereby causing it to skid off the road. 

9. Keep an emergency kit handy. 

This includes a phone charger, a raincoat, a tow cable, a flashlight with an emergency flasher function (because the reflectorized early warning device can be hard to see in bad weather), and jumper cables. The last is important, in case your battery dies due to the cold weather.

 

10. Check Your Car Brakes

Another critical car care tip during the rainy season is the brakes of your car. The dysfunctionality of car brakes is the major cause of accidents. During the rainy seasons, car brakes get damaged timely due to loss of the friction, and it decreases in the thickness of the disc. It is vital to protect your car in the rainy season to avoid premature of the car brakes. Remember also water can lead to the rusting of the brakes and can cause an accident. Make sure to have a brake system checked by a car specialist.

Conclusion

Driving during rainy conditions sometimes is inevitable. But if you know the essential car tips for the rainy season, you can be sure of smooth rides regardless of the weather. Once you figure out the parts of the car that are affected by wet weather conditions, it will be easy to maintain them so that you can enjoy your rides.

 If you put the tips listed above into consideration, you can drive safely and keep other road users safe too.