Rainy weather not only affects the surface of the road it reduces driving visibility. Knowing how to drive a vehicle safely in rainy conditions is something all drivers should know. Today, let’s review a few basic and lesser known tips on wet weather driving safety.
Avoid Cruise Control
For many of us cruise control is a saving grace. It’s a set it and forget it type feature that takes the stress out of driving. We love cruise control, but don’t use it in the rain. When driving in the rain, your full attention is required, and if cruise control is activated, then you’re not paying attention to your vehicle’s speed.
Cruise control will keep your vehicle moving at a constant speed regardless of the road conditions, and more often than not, when driving in wet-weather your speed will vary. It will vary depending on your visibility, by the depth of water ahead, by the amount of rainfall, by the speed of the car in front of you, and so on. And if you cannot reduce your vehicle’s speed appropriately by lifting your foot off the accelerator, then you are more susceptible to a loss-of-traction situation, aka another way to hydroplane.
Windshield Wiper Blades
If your wiper blades aren’t clearing the rain off your windshield, then you need a new set. Period. If you can’t see the road ahead, you shouldn’t be driving. Windshield wiper blades should not streak, smear, or skip. They should clear the rain off the windshield so you can see the road ahead.
Depending on use, windshield wipers blades should be changed every six months, this is especially true after summer months, because high temps and dry air cause the rubber on wiper blades to crack, and when the rubber cracks the streaking smearing, and skipping begins.
Tire Treads
Check your tire treads today. It’ll take less than a minute and you’ll know whether or not they’re equipped to handle the rain. Tires with insufficient tread depths cannot effectively expel the water that builds up between them and the road, and when they cannot disperse the water, your vehicle will be difficult if not impossible to control. When a vehicle slides uncontrollably on a wet surface, it is hydroplaning.
Slow Down
What’s the rush? With just 1/12 of an inch of water on the road, your tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to maintain traction. When your tires rise off the road because they’re going too fast, then they cannot displace the water and you hydroplane. Slowing down during wet weather is the easiest thing you can do to avoid hydroplaning and potential collisions.
Leave Room
Simply put, it takes longer to stop on a wet road. For example, a vehicle traveling 60 mph on a dry road requires about 240 feet total stopping distance, but the same vehicle traveling at the same speed on a wet road requires about 420 feet. Say you do hydroplane for a second, would you rather the car in front of you be ten feet ahead or five hundred? The more distance you leave between your vehicle and the one ahead, the more room you have to stop and the less likely you are to be involved in a collision.
Don’t Panic
If your vehicle starts to skid, then look and steer your vehicle in the direction you want it to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes.
If you’re coming to a stop and you feel your brakes pumping, don’t panic, that’s your Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) in action. Just maintain consistent pressure on your brake pedal and your ABS will continue working until your tires regain traction with the road.
For more information on driving safety, give us a call or stop by the dealership. If you have any questions or concerns about the quality of your wiper blades, tires, or brakes, then speak with a member of our service team and we’ll make sure your vehicle’s equipment is ready to handle your rainy weather drives.
Meet the 2020 Range Rover Evoque
Last month, the next generation 2020 Range Rover Evoque made its U.S. debut at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. Available in five trim levels—S, SE, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE, with an additional First Edition model available for the first year only—the new Evoque remains a superior, compact luxury SUV with advanced technologies and a sophisticated interior design. In fact, the new Evoque is the first vehicle to feature ‘ClearSight Ground View’ technology, which projects a 180-degree view of the ground onto the vehicle’s upper touchscreen. See what else you have to look forward to in the all new Evoque.
Save Mount Diablo
Help preserve one of the East Bay’s most beloved open spaces and have fun while you’re at it—take part in the Diablo Trails Challenge and explore the beauty of Mount Diablo. From 50k to 5k, there’s a race distance and course for all types of runners and walkers. A portion of all entry fees goes toward preserving Mount Diablo’s open spaces and hiking trails. Mount Diablo calls on April 13, will you be there?
Mature Service Specials
Older model vehicles often require different tools and different knowledge in order to be serviced properly. At Cole European, not only do we have the tools needed to service these older models, our service technicians have over 25 years of combined experience servicing Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.
If you drive a 2008 or older Jaguar or Land Rover, make sure your vehicle gets the service and care it deserves and head to Cole European. Do so this month and receive special savings with our Mature Service discount.
Get Land Rover Service Specials >
Protect Your Bumper
It may be called a bumper but getting bumped too many times can cause unsightly scratches and scuffs. Protect your Jaguar or Land Rover’s bumper with a bumper protector. Available on the majority of all new Jaguar and Land Rover models, these bumper protectors conveniently pull out from your vehicle’s loadspace to protect the rear bump from getting damaged while loading or unloading, it also protect your clothes from getting dirty.
Give us a call today and we’ll let you know whether or not a bumper protector is available on your model Jaguar or Land Rover.
Visit the Land Rover Boutique | Visit the Jaguar Boutique
Want luxury? You got it. Head to the Cole European If You Could You Would Sales Event and drive away a brand new luxury vehicle at a fraction of its luxury price. Right now we’re offering limited time low lease offers and new year savings on all new Jaguar and Land Rover models.
We all think about driving a new car but for whatever reason—not the right time, not enough money—we put it off. Which is why we’re happy to host the If You Could You Would Sales Event and saying right now you can, now’s the time to buy luxury for less. Hurry in soon for best selection because once they’re gone there’s no going back.
View Special Offers: Land Rover | Jaguar
