How to be a Rain Meister

Rain is God’s gift to mankind. Its pureness comes from nature’s process of evaporation which separates water from unwanted chemicals. It’s the lifeline of mankind, of our flora and fauna; we simply cannot live without it.

Unfortunately on the roads, rain is your enemy. Rain decreases visibility and traction. It short circuits car electronics and stalls engines. Here are some tips that will help you conquer this relentless foe.

If visibility is poor, it’s best to pull-over and wait until rain slows down. The splatter of heavy rain on your windshield can greatly reduce road visibility. During a downpour, your windshield can become a wall of water that even the fastest wipers cannot clear. At night, rain plays tricks with lighting. It scatters the light of streetlamps and oncoming cars, distorting your vision. Moreover, it reduces the illumination of your headlamps. Under such conditions, drivers need to concentrate so much on the road ahead that their peripheral vision can easily suffer.

To improve visibility, try spraying a rain repellent/ anti-fog on your windshield.  Rain-X, a solution that can cause rain to roll off your windshield immediately, is available in leading auto accessory stores. Try google on a  D.I.Y mix, I heard white vinegar is a good anti-fog. That is if you can take the smell.

Rain makes the road slippery. The rain creates a layer of liquid between the road surface and your tires, preventing them from obtaining proper traction and making conditions very hard on tires to make contact to the road. Driving fast in puddles will cause “hydro-planning”, a phenomenon wherein the tires float due to excess water between the tires and the road surface. This will make the car slide uncontrollably, making the driver a passenger. During heavy rain, drive slowly especially in corners and be extra cautious not to hit puddles.

Most people think the first raindrops are harmless, but often they are the most dangerous. If rain hasn’t fallen in awhile, oil drops and rubber dust accumulate on the road surface.  When the rain begins to fall, the water mixes with these particles to form a slippery substance.  While this won’t have much of an effect on rough roads, it definitely makes smooth roads more hazardous. Be wary for road signs that say “slippery when wet.” Better yet, look out for smooth and shiny asphalt when it rains, these surfaces are usually the ones that are slippery when wet.

Check your tires if they are still good enough especially in wet conditions. You don’t want to drive in the rain with excessively worn tires, since tire threads or grooves may no longer be big enough to channel away the water. If you are not sure with the condition of your tires, visit your nearest tire center and have them checked. Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated as an under-inflated tire will not stand properly into the road surface and lose its traction and water expelling properties.

Tropical tires are also available in tire centers. Many tire manufacturers offer tropicalized models that are designed for driving in the rain. These tires have deep, wide center grooves and a tread pattern that removes water as efficiently as possible.

Check your wipers.  Many of us are guilty of not changing wiper blades until it rains. Some even go for years without changing blades.  Brittled, cracked, or ripped blades will reduce your visibility and put you and other drivers in harm’s way. Wiper blades are cheaper than a bent fender, remember.

In the end, the most important safety feature in your car is your driving. In wet conditions, simply slow down considerably and drive more cautiously because sometimes, when it rains, it pours.