Rough weather conditions cause several mishaps on roads worldwide. The reason behind 18% of the crashes is harsh weather and 51% of injuries are caused due to it while driving.
Driving in rain can be an intimidating experience. Today, we are going to share five tips with you which will help you drive better in wet conditions.
Drive Your Car At A Slow Speed
While this may seem basic and trivial, nothing is safer than driving your car at slow speed. When you are driving fast, your car takes more time to stop as it is difficult for the tyre to grip in wet conditions. So, the first tip is to drive with focus, care and responsibly.
Check Your Tyres
It is not necessary that if your tyres are working fine on a dry surface, they will also work perfectly on slippery surfaces. The tread depth of your tyres should be at least 3-4 mm, otherwise, your tyres will skid.
The reason why having enough tread depth is important is because, it is responsible for maintaining grip with the terrain as it pushes the water away from beneath the tyre. If there is not adequate tread in your tyre, your car will start hydroplaning in wet conditions.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is to always check the tyre pressure before getting behind the wheels. Improperly inflated tyres are more prone to hydroplaning. So, keep a check on the air pressure.
Keep Brakes In Good Conditions
Efficient brakes are one of your biggest assets when you are driving in rainy conditions. So, assure that your brakes are in perfect conditions throughout the year. When your tyres are wet, they take more time to stop compared to when you are driving on a dry surface.
If you have been driving on watery roads for a while, stop your car at a safe place. Dry out your brakes by hitting them again and again. Reducing your braking distance, this way you will make them less slippery and more effective.
Wipers and Windscreen
The wipers are arguably the least used part of your vehicle. So, it is probable that you will stop taking care and they will go unused for a long time. But they are the most useful equipment when it starts pouring.
Make sure your wipers are in good running conditions before you leave. There is nothing more disappointing than finding your wipers gridding against the windscreen. So, always clean your wipers and never let dust accumulate.
If your windscreen has accumulated dust particles, get out of the car and clean it first because running a wiper on a dusty windscreen will damage the rubber of the wiper and will also scratch the glass. A damaged windscreen will reduce your visibility, something which is extremely important in rainy weather. Always keep something like a newspaper with you to clean the glass.
Get An All-Wheel Drive
Now, this is something you should keep in mind when you are buying your next car. An all-wheel drive is better in rainy conditions because it allows the car to maintain a better grip with the ground. It is engineered to offer enhanced traction on wet and slippery roads whether it is rain, ice or snow.
The reason behind this is that the AWD systems provide power to all the four wheels of the car. Unlike two-wheel drivetrain systems, which only powers front or rear wheels.
Adjusting the power, the computer gives power to the wheels which need it the most and takes it away from the wheel which doesn’t. This aids the car in maintaining optimal traction with the surface and reduces the risks of hydroplaning.
Today, most of the cars are available in all-wheel drivetrain systems. While these may cost a little bit more and decrease the fuel-efficiency, they are ideal for driving in these types of harsh weathers.
Honda Motors Benin offers an all-wheel drive system in numerous cars including CR-V, HR-V and Pilot. The good thing is these cars are not that expensive. You will get an AWD HR-V at an affordable price.