Tips for driving in the rain?

Question

I just moved to a rainy city after living my whole life in Colorado (used to driving on snow and dirt). The only tip I've received so far is that if your wipers are on, so should your headlights. Any advise/tips on driving in a downpour?

Answer 1

always remember that the first down pour/ drizzle is more dangerous than when its been pouring for 5-10 minutes ago. reason is that dirt from the road has just been softened and is mudlike so its more slippery. strong down pours 5-10 minutes have already washed off dirt/oil from the road.

make sure to have your hazard and not only your headlights on on strong down pours as people may not be able to see clearly at this point and make sure that you mind your speed.
it's also a caution for all drivers that any accident can occur and this will give them time to react and be on "defensive driving mode" (check your country or city's policy on the use of hazard signals coz this may vary from location t location).

spraying rain guard solutions to your windshields and side-mirrors can also be a good help to make sure you have a clear view/ visibility of the road with or without wipers on.

paddles or pool of water on sides of the street should be avoided as this will drag down your tires and make your car spin. you dont have to worry if your driving 30-40kph, but on freeways, this is a disaster.

good tires are always a plus but its useless if you dont take care and mind your driving.

Answer 2

Definitely reduce your speed on the road. You can come across water accumulating on the road and start to hydroplane. This is a condition where the tread on your tires doesn't shed the water off fast enough and your vehicle actually slides on top of the water as if on ice. Most states by law require that you turn on your headlights when the wipers are being use. Turn on the defroster in your car during rainy weather, this will help keep the windshield from fogging up. If your wiper blades are in good shape and they still won't keep up with the rain...carefully pull as far to the right of the shoulder as you can and turn on your hazard lights. Wait until your wipers can efficiently keep up with the rain before pulling back out into traffic. Just drive the same way you did in the snow and you should be OK.

Answer 3

I faced a similar situation with my first big move, so here's what I learned. Avoid puddles or any standing water. It is often hard to tell how deep they are, or if there is a hidden pothole there as well. Definitely look into products like Rain-X and new wipers. Of course there is also the obvious - allow more time to get somewhere and drive slower when it rains harder. The most important thing I think you should do is condition yourself to be okay with pulling over to the side of the road. Speaking from experience, I thought that being able to see the brake lights on the car ahead of me was safe enough. I can show you scars that prove otherwise. Use common sense and you should be fine, but again, don't feel like you have to be a superhero.

Answer 4

#1 First but the most important. (Slow Down) Take your foot off of the gas and allow the vehicle slow down.

#2 Turn On your Wiper Blades to clear the windshield.

#3 While driving if you approach standing water slow down even more.

#4 Do Not slam on the Breaks unless it is an absolute emergency. Apply them firmly and allow the wheels to still keep rolling. This Allows you to keep traction. The most important thing in stopping is traction.

#5 When your speed is under 45miles per hour turn on your four way flashers. In most states this is a law.

#6 When the rain is really extrem and you can't see the road and slowing down doesn't help. Pull to the shoulder and stop. Leave your four way flashers on and move as far to the right as possible with out getting stuck going off the road.

Answer 5

Ok, the following are tips for driving in the rain:

1. put headlights on, when using window wipers
2. reduce your speed between 5-10 mph
3. when travelling behind another vehicle, add 1 second to the 2-second rule for safe following
4. make sure that your defrosters work
5. make sure your wipers are clean
6. add a drop of dish washing liquid to your window washing fluid container
7. insure that your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread
8. don't use hi-beams in very cloudy/foggy weather
9. if the rain gets really bad, where the wipers can't keep up with it, then pulll over and wait it out

Answer 6

If you're in heavy rain, yes, turn your wipers on and your headlights. You should also reduce your speed, but not too much. Going too slow can also be dangerous. Just go with a speed that feels comfortable for the driving conditions. Also, just like when driving on icy roads, don't brake too hard. Wet road can be slick and a hazard. Give yourself plenty of room between you and the car in front of you.

If you do these things you should be just fine!

Answer 7

The same tips for driving in snow apply to rain. Use good tires, keep your speed down to avoid hydroplaning/skidding and increase following distance. Change your wiper blades twice a year.
The only thing you need to worry about is the first few minutes of a rainstorm, as the oils in the pavement haven't been washed away yet and can make the road slippery.

Answer 8

Adjust your speed for the storm. If it is extremely heavy, then either pull over on the side of the road and put your flashers on, or drive very slow and put your flashers on.. Be careful about driving through puddles or standing water. It could be deeper than you know, especially if you are new to the area. Make sure your tires are in good shape. This will help a little with hydroplaning or loosing control of the car. A lot of the things that you do for snow will apply for the rain. good luck.

Answer 9

Use a product named rain-x that comes in either a spray or pour out bottle. You clean the outside of the windshield, then apply the rain-x like wax for paint and it creates an invisible haze. When it rains, it's so good, that at highway speeds you don't need the wipers because the water just shears away. At lower speeds you may still need your wipers. Also make sure you have good tire tread, and allow extra distance at high speed braking.

Answer 10

Like they said when its raining go a lot slower than you normally would turn on your lights and if it is raining really bad I turn on my hazor lights on that way other people know where you are. Also when driving in the rain make sure both hand are on the steering wheel and firm bc you never know if you will hydroplane and you have much better control like that, and if u do hydroplane let go of the gas and do NOT brake. And yeah I hate driving in the rain it makes me feel like I'm not in control of anything.