FINALLY, after months of suffering from the scorching heat of the sun, we can breathe a sigh of some relief as rains started pouring as a result of Typhoon Dante currently causing the heavy rains mostly in the Luzon area. If and when we are driving when heavy rains occur, Niky Tamayo of Top Gear Philippines gives us the important things to remember.
Firstly, whether driving in the rain or not, drivers must always make sure that all the tires are in good condition. Tires should be properly inflated to avoid hydroplaning when tires have low inflation pressures and exerts less pressure on the road surface. Tires must also have enough tread during the rainy season otherwise, drivers must keep a slower speed in the rain. Contrary to the common practice of putting new tires in the front, new tires always go in the back. When you lose grip in front, the car will travel in a straight line and pressing the brakes will put weight back on the sliding front wheels, giving you control of the car. If you lose grip in the rear, the car will start skidding sideways when you hit a puddle. Pressing the brakes will take even more weight off the sliding rears, turning the slide into a spin.
Of course, driving smartly and safely will always be the key in ensuring a safe trip whenever and wherever. Driving in the rain requires one to slow down when oil and grime built up over the past days are lifted off the road, and cause braking distances lengthen by 10-20m in wet conditions. In an emergency, that distance can mean the difference between a light tap on the bumper and ending up in the hospital.
Drive smoothly and make any steering movements gentle and smooth also with the gas, clutch and brake pedals. Sudden swerving to avoid a puddle is more dangerous than driving through it at reduced speed.
Keep distance to avoid the splashing of water from the car in front of you and give yourself room to swerve or brake in an emergency. If you can't see the car in front of the car in front of you, you're way too close. Looking down the road and constantly identifying possible obstacles and potential escape routes and safe lines are a must, whether it's raining or not.
Find the dry line and stay away from the leftmost lane and the right shoulder, as water puddles up where the road slopes downward toward its edges. Hitting puddles with one wheel at speed can cause your car to veer dangerously toward the barriers or the gutter. Avoid deep tire ruts, as water pools there, but don't straddle lanes in traffic! Sometimes, following in a bus's tire tracks gives you a bit more grip, as the bus's tires squeegee the water away from the driving line.
Keep your brakes dry. It's a good idea to squeegee your brakes dry after passing through deep puddles. Do this by squeezing the brake pedal until you feel them bite very slightly. Don't overdo it though, and pay attention to traffic behind you to ensure you're not going to be rear-ended while doing this.
Going out in the rain can be a necessary thing we have to deal with and we must always consider safety as the utmost priority.