By Jittawin.21
Tips for Driving in the Central Valley Rain
It's that time of year again! The days are getting shorter, the weather is cooling off, and we see more rain in the forecast. Here in the California Central Valley, we don't get a lot of rain, so when it does come, it can be a bit of a shock to our systems and cars.
If you want to prepare for the next few months of potentially wet weather, you can do a few things to get your vehicle ready. In this blog post, we'll discuss tips on getting your car ready for rainy roads. Keep reading to learn more!
Tip #1: Check Your Tires
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your car for wet weather is to ensure your tires are in good condition. In particular, you'll want to check the tread depth and tire pressure.
The tread depth is important because it provides traction between your tires and the road. If the tread depth is too low, your car will have trouble maintaining traction, which can lead to hydroplaning—when your tires lose contact with the road and start to ride on top of the water.
You can check your tread depth by using a penny test—insert a penny into your tire tread with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is too low, and you should replace your tires before driving in wet weather.
Tip #2: Slow Down
Another important tip for driving in the rain is to slow down. It may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people continue to drive at the same speed—or even faster!—in wet weather. Speeding on wet roads can significantly increase your risk of crashing. So, when the rain starts falling, take your foot off the gas and give yourself some extra time to reach your destination safely.
Tip #3: Use Your Lights
Whenever you turn on your windshield wipers, it's also a good idea to turn on your headlights (and taillights if they're not already on). This will help improve your visibility and make it easier for other drivers to see you—especially if they're approaching from behind or from an angle.
And speaking of visibility…
Tip #4: Clear Off Your Windows & Mirrors Before You Drive
It goes without saying that you should have a clear view of the road before driving; otherwise, what's the point? Be sure to clean off your windshield, side windows, and mirrors before setting out in wet weather.
And if you have any cracks or chips in any of your windows, now would be a good time to get them repaired so that they don't worsen during heavy rains (not to mention that it's illegal to drive with cracked windows in California!).
Rainy weather doesn't have to put a damper on your plans! By taking a few simple precautions ahead of time, you can ensure that both you and your car are ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
We hope these tips were helpful; if you have any questions or need assistance getting your vehicle ready for rainy roads, Visit Nona's Auto Center in Turlock, CA! Our team of experts would be more than happy to help get you (and your car) ready for whatever wet weather comes our way this season. Please, visit our website to schedule an appointment with us today. Also, don't forget to add us on Facebook; see you soon!