How to care for one’s car during rainy season

Rainy season is usually greeted with flood, damaged roads and houses and auto-accidents It is also the period most car owners, especially in Nigeria hate to witness. They visit their mechanics regularly for one problem or the other. Mr.Sunday Awesu,a teacher told our correspondent that raining is a nightmare for him because his residence is […]

Rainy season is usually greeted with flood, damaged roads and houses and auto-accidents

It is also the period most car owners, especially in Nigeria hate to witness. They visit their mechanics regularly for one problem or the other.

Mr.Sunday Awesu,a teacher told our correspondent that raining is a nightmare for him because his residence is waterlogged. This he said usually tampers with his car engine.

“I’m always close to my mechanic during this season. Sometimes I pack the car outside my residence but the problem is still not solved because I still pass through some stormy roads while going to work”.

Experts said in the rain, poor visibility is a major threat to driving safety, as one may be less aware of oncoming cars, pedestrians, and hazards on the road.

They also said a long, hard rain can also cause deep puddles on the surface of the road which may cause your car to hydroplane, essentially skimming across the water. Poorly drained roads can be covered in huge pools of water which may not seem deep or serious until one drives on them and your car spins out of control.

This development no doubt calls for maintenance of cars in order to outlast the season and ensure safe driving.

According to a car clinic website, belovedcar.com, during rainy season, car owners should perform maintenance on the rubber-rubber and glass doors.

It advised owners to use “silicone spray” to maintain the flexibility of rubber to rubber and then spray a penetrant/lubricant to the door hinges to anticipate rust, then spray ”contact cleaner” to the electric car, in order to anticipate the entry of water into electrical parts.

If the car is parked for a long time, the car clinic advised car owners to use the glove/packs of cars.  When rain has stopped, open the back cover of the car and body parts of a wet cloth exposed to water.

The car clinic also advised car owners to ensure the vehicle is parked in an open place away from trees during rainy season. They should also be sure it is secure parking lot against standing water or flooding.

Besides, AAA Car Care Centers Director, John Nielsen suggests using tread wear to gauge tire condition during rainy season.

Nielsen also suggests replacements just before season changes.   Another car clinic, Kia buzz.com, said checking the tire pressure, batteries and brakes is essential. During the rainy season, it advised car owners to raise tire pressure within 10 percent of the usual level during the rainy season.

It is dangerous to use worn tires. As visibility gets worse while driving in heavy rains, turning on the headlights, even during the day, can help to prevent an accident.

According to the clinic, it is necessary to check the car battery in advance, as the frequent use of headlights, A/C and the windshield wipers use up much of the battery.

“On wet roads, a car that stops well is safer than a car that moves well. Thus, checking the brakes and tire condition is very important”.

It further advised car owners to secure a clear view by taking care of the windshield. Additionally, the amount of washer water under the hood should be checked. The water’s direction can be easily adjusted with pins.

The clinic also advised owners to make use of an anti-water protector during rainy season

It said it is a good idea to put a water-gathering protector on the mirrors and windows.

It advised car owners to check if there are any areas that have flooded recently and avoid parking near riversides, streams and under bridges.  When there are flood warnings, it is best to move your car uphill or to a safe area where the car can easily be moved, it said.

Pondfamilytree.com also said the integrity of several components, both in engine and drive components also needs to be protected from the threat of water during rainy season.

In order to ensure this, he advised car owners not to leave any dirt or salt by rain water on the car body more than three days because it will cause rust, mildew and water stains can dry.

According to the clinic, car owners should clean their cars thoroughly, such as: car hinge, the edge of the trunk, the car door edge, the edge of the hood etc.

Do not leave marks on the body of water after washing the car for too long because it can leave scars that are difficult to eliminate, it adds.

He also said owners should clean their cars or half after the first part completed and then the other and avoid washing cars with high foaming shampoo, if not too dirty, just with water alone.

An official of the Federal Road Safety Corp told our correspondent that human factor should be considered in order to cater for cars during the rainy season.

“Car cannot drive itself. The man who drives this car should also learn to obey every traffic rule during the rainy season. Infact he should redouble his obedience to traffic rules during this season. He should drive slowly and cautiously because of the slippery nature of the road due to rainfall. He shouldn’t overspeed.I believe if car owners adhere to these they would stay alive to maintain their cars”.

A Lagos based mechanical Engineer, Taju Oyefusi told our correspondent that regular checks of internal and external components of car should be ensured during the rainy season.

According to him, the checks should be done by professional and certified auto-technicians who can give genuine assessment of the road worthiness of the car during the raining season.