Wet Weather Driving Tips

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly one million accidents each year occur during wet weather. If you’re not prepared for the difference in driving in wet conditions versus dry, you could find yourself involved in a fender-bender. Here are some tips to help you safely drive on wet roads.

• Watch your speed. When roads are wet, slow down. As you reduce speed, you increase the tire’s footprint (the amount of tread contacting the road surface), providing better traction. Slowing down also reduces your risk of hydroplaning (riding on the surface of the water). With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road.

• If you do find yourself hydroplaning, take your foot off of the accelerator, don’t hit your brakes. If you drive a stick shift step on the clutch and let your vehicle slow down until control is regained.

• Allow enough room between you and the car in front of you. Wet roads require a greater stopping distance. Keep your eyes ahead so you’re extra alert for stop signs and red lights.

• Prepare for braking. As you approach a curve, stop sign, or traffic light, slow down and break gently. Take it easy. When braking, accelerating, or turning the wheel, avoid jerky, abrupt movements. Avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.

• See and be seen. Remember to turn on your lights, it helps other drivers see you. Wiper blade should be regularly replaced to ensure they properly do their job.

• Make sure you have the right tires. For optimum performance on wet roads, look for a tire with a tread design and rubber compounds that provide enhanced wet weather driving capabilities. We can help you make your decision.

• Be sure your tires are properly maintained. Check tread depth with a quarter inserted upside down into the tire groove.  If you can see above Washington’s head, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.  If tires are too worn, it won’t provide the needed traction on wet pavement. Check your tires regularly and replace them as needed. Also monitor the air pressure in your tires. If you’re not sure what the correct pressure level is, check your vehicle’s manual or the door jamb label for the proper air pressure for your particular vehicle and tires.

If you have any questions or need any help please feel free to contact us. Consultation is always FREE!

If you’re like most people, your second biggest investment, after your home, is your automobile. With that in mind, it makes sense to protect such an important investment. What’s the best way to do that? Regular vehicle maintenance, of course! The Car Care Council estimates more than $60 billion in vehicle maintenance and repair work IS NOT performed each year. That scary statistic means there’s considerably more drivers should be doing to protect their investment. Budgeting for and doing preventive automotive maintenance is a must if you want to keep your repair cost down and keep your car humming along. We can’t stress enough the importance of vehicle maintenance. Regular vehicle maintenance is much less expensive than repair work when things break down. It’s a whole lot less than new car payments! You’ll find a properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable. It will also save you at the gas pumps since it will be more fuel efficient. Best of all your properly maintained vehicle is more valuable. Regular vehicle maintenance is the smartest way to get a good return on your automotive investment. As mentioned earlier, we can’t stress enough the importance of vehicle maintenance. If a person decides to not get their oil changed, the eventual result is engine failure which could have been prevented for a measly $30 or so. And so it goes for most of your vehicle maintenance needs. Don’t ever second guess the importance of vehicle maintenance, and if you have any questions or need any help regarding service, please feel free to contact us. Consultation is always FREE!