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Tips for Driving in the Rain Safely

There are many challenges to a rainy season, one of them is driving in the rain. Keep reading this post by AMSOIL: Dwight Smith in Ann Arbor, MI, to learn how to do it safely.

Keeping your car in excellent condition is one way to make driving in the rain safer. For the best products for your engine, call Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706, and one of their oil pros will advise you on the best ones to use. Once you’re ready to place an order, visit their online store any time!

Assess if Going Out Is Necessary

As mentioned above, driving in the rain can be challenging, but sometimes it’s necessary to do so. Still, it’s a good idea to assess the conditions before driving. It depends on two factors: the reason you need to drive and the overall weather conditions. For example, if you have plans with friends, sometimes it’s worth rescheduling instead of putting yourself in danger. If it looks like it’s going to rain, check the forecast before taking any unnecessary risks.

Keep Up With Your Car’s Maintenance

Another way to prepare for driving in the rain is to have your car’s maintenance up to date. Two essentials to check before the rainy season starts are:

Tires: It’s essential, for the rainy season, to check that your tires provide enough traction on wet roads. Your tire’s traction is the grip they have on the road, which will keep you safe from aquaplaning. They should also be inflated to the correct air pressure to handle the road better.
Windshield wipers: These are a no-brainer for the rainy season. By being exposed to the sun, wipers tend to dry out after a few months on your car, so it’s essential to check them from season to season to ensure they’ll do their work properly once it rains.

Lastly, it’s essential to have your car updated on its regular maintenance to make it safer when driving around wet streets and avoid any engine malfunctions.

Drive Slower than Usual

Even though you should always respect the speed limit when driving, it’s important to remember to lower your speed when it’s raining. The best way to avoid speeding when driving is by giving yourself enough time to get to your destination without rushing to make it in time. Driving quickly on a slippery road can be extremely dangerous for you and others on the road.

Help your car stay in better shape to handle rainy conditions by using excellent products like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. Give Dwight Smith a call at (702) 561-3706 for more information, or visit their online store to place an order anytime.

Use Your Headlights

Keeping you safe on the road when it’s raining has a lot to do with visibility. One way to increase your visibility inside the vehicle and make your car visible to others is by using your headlights. Even if it’s not too dark on the road, using your headlights lets other vehicles gauge how close you are, and it enables you to see obstacles on the road that you would otherwise not spot. This is also a great time to follow every road rule, which means using your turn signals and hazard lights mindfully to help other drivers maneuver the road better.

Be Mindful of Space Between Cars

Being mindful of the space between cars is always essential while driving. But wet road conditions make things like reacting to other cars and stopping in time much more challenging. It’s crucial to leave more space between cars to allow drivers to maneuver more efficiently and stop if necessary. Keep an eye on other vehicles, and don’t lose sight of bling spots when turning and changing lanes.

Don’t Drive Into Water

Lastly, when driving in the rain, or immediately after it, it’s crucial to stay clear of standing water as often you can’t tell how deep it is, and it can put you and your vehicle in danger. One of the worse things that can happen when you go into the water with your car is your car hydroplaning which can quickly turn dangerous. Please don’t risk it and avoid pooled water when driving in the rain.