Driving in the rain is not as easy as driving under a clear weather. When
the road is wet, the tires lose their grip on the road and your perception is
considerably reduced – it is harder to see other vehicles, road signs and the
road itself. In case you get into this situation, try to drive the car carefully.
Here are some tips for arriving at your destination safely if you must travel
when the weather is less than favourable.
1. The first tip to consider when faced with rain is to
maintain your speed at a moderate level. This would protect you since the roads
are more slippery due to the flowing water.
2. Turn on your headlights even in a light rain. It helps
you see the road as well as let other drivers to know your presence from a
distance and avoid an accident.
3. Stay toward the middle lane as water tends to puddle
in the outside lanes. If you go through these large puddles, you may be harming
your engine by allowing water to splatter into it.
4. Try to stay away from large tires vehicles such as
trucks and buses. The tires of these vehicles can cause a larger amount of
water to spray from them, which could impair your vision. Be careful when
passing them as well; if you must overtake, do so safely and quickly.
5. Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. If the
rain becomes too heavy that you can barely see the car in front of you, pull
over to a safe place and wait until the rain subsides.
6. Make sure that the windshield wipers are in working
condition before you drive against the falling rain. Ensure to change the wiper
blades when needed. This tool offers greater visibility even with the heavy
rainstorm.
7. Brake earlier with lesser force than you would
normally. This increases the stopping distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and signals to the driver behind that you’re slowing down.
8. Make sure to prepare your car for the drive if you
know that you are going to be driving in rainy conditions. Apply a coat of rain-repellent
on your windshield, as it will improve your visibility in the rain. Also be
sure that windshield wiper fluid bottle is full, as this can help
you to remove any dirt that may come from the wet road conditions.
Monsoon Tips from Ford India
Check your car's condition. The
brakes, steering system, tyre pressures, tyre tread depth and defroster operation
should be checked regularly so that you're ready to deal with a downpour.
Every car should have a good
emergency kit. Breakdowns can be stressful. Taking a few steps in advance can save you
time, emergency service costs and a headache.
Have an emergency kit ready for
many different situations. The kit should meet your individual needs and be equipped
with items ranging from spares, torch, fuses, tyre inflators, to safety kits and
other items to attract or provide help.
Make sure that your wipers are in
good condition amnd functioning properly. If the blades are brittle or daaged,
replace them before the rains begin. Allow sufficient wetting of the windscreen prior
to using the wipers to avoid scratching of the windscreen owing to dry wipe.
Use the windshield washer fluid
as recommended by the manufacturer. Using a blend of water and washer fluid
will clean the windscreen more effectively than washing with plain water.
Tyre pressures: Maintain correct
cold tyre pressures as recommended in the owner's manual for different loads. This
is even more critical for monsoon conditions since the traction is paramount for
vehicle stability.
Windscreen fogging: Use the
de-frost mode with AC ON, in fresh air mode to clear the windscreen of condensation
whenever the windscreen gets fogged up. Also use the rear heated window option, if
present, since rear visibility improves. Refer to the owner's manual for usage.
Drive carefully! Pay attention to
your speed and check your tyres. At high speeds, the rains create a fine sheet of
water between the tyre and the road surface, which can cause the driver to lose
control. This phenomenon is known as 'aqua-planing' and is aggravated by excessively
worn tyres. Check the tyre tread depth (in the TWI area) and confirm that the depth
is within the minimum allowance. The tyre tread helps in throwing out excessive
water between the tyre and road ensuring adequate grip.
Keep the headlights on. When
driving in rain, switch the headlights on at a low beam. It will increase your
visibility and allow other drivers to notice you from a distance.
Source: Ford India
