Maintaining and driving your vehicle during the rainy season.

With the rainy season approaching, our automotive section presents some tips for maintaining your vehicle, helping users keep their cars in optimal condition.

Inspect the vehicle.

Check the windshield wiper system.This is a crucial safety system when driving in the rain. Faulty or ineffective wipers reduce visibility, easily leading to dangerous situations.

Use a clean cloth or soft paper towel to carefully wipe the rubber wiper blade.If the rubber part of the wiper blade becomes hardened or excessively worn, it must be replaced.

For most car models, drivers can replace this part themselves; they just need to measure the length of the wiper blade and buy the correct size. Remember to turn on the switch to test the part's operation immediately after replacement to see if it's properly fitted. If it's not in the correct position, the rubber wiper blade will come loose after a few uses.

Check the drainage holes and channels.After a long period of disuse, the drainage holes and channels in the hood, trunk lid, and sunroof (if any) can become clogged with dust or anything else. Be sure to clean these areas to keep your car's interior from being damaged by rainwater.

Always keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir full.When driving in the rain, dust and mud are always splashed onto the windshield and rear window. Therefore, the windows must always be kept clean.

Check the water level and remember to fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir.Add some glass cleaning solution to quickly remove stains on the glass caused by early season rain, which often has a high acid content.

Check the braking system.Driving in the rain always reduces friction. If the braking system is already ineffective, the driver may panic and slam on the brakes, causing the vehicle to skid and lose control.

Take the car to the garage to have the undercarriage inspected.Lift the vehicle onto a lift to inspect welds, metal stamping on the sides, frame components, and undercarriage. If rust is present, it must be completely removed by cleaning, painting, or applying an undercarriage spray solution.

When driving in the rain

Drive at least 20% slower than the maximum speed allowed in dry conditions and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.Besides slippery roads, driving in the rain reduces visibility for road users. This leads to slower reaction times and often results in unexpected situations where drivers lose control of the steering wheel.

Always clean the glass.It's not just the windshield and rearview mirrors, but also the rear window. When driving in the rain with the windows closed, the glass often fogs up from the inside.

If the air conditioning is still on, switch the airflow direction knob to the windshield setting. Otherwise, slightly open the windows using the rain deflectors to significantly reduce fogging.

Always keep your low beam headlights and fog lights on.This not only helps the driver see the road better, but also helps other drivers recognize your vehicle. Do not use high beams in the rain, even at night, as it will endanger other vehicles on the road.

Don't try to wade through the water.Not all car models are designed to "swim" when the water level rises above the car's floor. If an accident occurs, at best the driver will have to push the car in the rain. The consequences can be much more serious, such as water damage to the engine or the car being swept away.

In conditions of minimal flooding, turn off all appliances, including the air conditioner, and drive slowly and steadily in the highest gear to prevent water from entering the engine through the exhaust pipe.

After being in the rain

During the rainy season, car owners should consider parking in covered areas.

Underbody spray, car washThis is a crucial step in maintaining the vehicle. Prolonged rain means the car gets dirty quickly, so most drivers leave it for several days, even weeks, or wait until sunny weather to wash it. This accelerates the rusting process on some undercarriage parts. Furthermore, when mud gets into moving parts like the axle shafts, suspension system, steering tie rods, etc., it creates strong friction, causing pitting on surfaces and chipping of gears.

Keep the vehicle dry.Park your car in a sheltered, dry, and well-ventilated area. If you park outdoors, cover it with a tarp. During the rainy season, the humidity inside the cabin is always high. Therefore, open the doors when it's sunny and dry, and vacuum and clean the interior. A damp car interior is an ideal breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria.

Maintenance of the electrical system, air filter, and brakes.High humidity increases the risk of damage to electrical system components if they are not inspected and maintained promptly.

Dirt and mud during the rainy season are factors that clog engine air filters.It's also necessary to clean the brake system and avoid engaging the parking brake if the car isn't driven for more than 5 days. Moisture in the brake pads can cause rust and brake seizure.

According to doanhnhansaigon