When driving during heavy rain, you should pay attention to these 7 things
Driving during heavy rain is a condition that may be encountered by those of you who travel long distances overland.
Driving long distances in the rainy season requires special preparation because the road conditions become slippery, puddles arise and the driver's visibility is limited.
So what should you pay attention to if you have to drive in heavy rain? The following tips are shared by Michelin.
1. Check the wipers
Before starting the trip, make sure the condition of the car and its supporting components is functioning optimally and there is no damage.
This also includes other supporting devices that look trivial but are important, one of which is a car wiper.
In charge of sweeping the rainwater onto the car window, you must ensure that the wiper rubber is still in good condition, not brittle, let alone torn.
2. Pay attention to the condition of the lights
When driving during heavy rain, sometimes fog also descends, disrupting the driver's view. In such conditions, of course you need additional lighting from the main lights, including fog lights.
Therefore, make sure these lights function properly, including the brake lights which will signal your vehicle to other vehicles behind.
3. Choose the Right Tire Type
"Wet roads reduce tire traction and extend braking distances. For this reason, choosing a type of tire with optimal traction on wet terrain and equipped with a short braking feature is highly recommended," said M. Fachrul Rozi, Customer Engineering Support at PT Michelin Indonesia.
For example, if you choose BFGoodrich Advantage Touring, this is a tire designed for daily use with tough, comfortable, quiet performance and better braking performance on dry or wet roads.
BFGoodrich also presents g-Force Phenom, an ultra-high-performance on-road tire that optimizes vehicle performance on wet and dry asphalt with an optimal control sensation during acceleration, sharp turns and hard braking, which could be your choice for long trips later this year .
4. Check the level of tire wear
Make sure the vehicle's tires are still in good condition (not worn out) when you want to take it on a long trip. Professional inspection is recommended.
If you only want to replace 2 tires, make sure the tires are installed at the rear, to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
5. Check Tire Pressure and Spare Tire
Do this to optimize safety and maintain tire durability. When checking pressure, pay attention to the vehicle's load components (number of passengers and luggage).
Make sure the tire pressure meets the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, which can be seen on the driver's door pillar or fuel cap.
6. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
Because visibility decreases in the rain, drivers need to extend the distance between vehicles. Braking distances that have the potential to be longer on wet asphalt due to a compromised braking system or reduced tire traction make it even more important to pay attention to safe distances.
Reduce speed when driving during heavy rain so that it is easy to maneuver or anticipate when unexpected things happen from the front.
7. Recognize and reduce the potential for hydroplaning
Vehicles can skid or spin when the water between the tires and the road cannot drain away quickly enough. This layer of water accumulates on the front and leads to loss of contact with the road.
"You can choose tires that have optimal control features during acceleration, reliable in wet terrain, and fast water evacuation to avoid hydroplaning," said Fachrul Rozi.
Apart from that, you are also advised to regularly check tire pressure, check tread depth, and reduce speed when approaching puddles. Those are some things you should pay attention to when driving in heavy rain.
Don't forget to check other parts of the vehicle such as the brake fluid, radiator water, safety triangle and first aid box.
