The rainy season is back and the risk
factor while driving on Nigeria road would increase significantly as records
have shown that more vehicle accidents happen due to the heavy flood and
faulty cars.
Here are some General tips which can ensure you and your car are safe
while driving this season;
v Drive slow on rainy days when the roads
are still wet as the stopping distance usually increases considerably on wet
roads. Also, brakes may be slightly less effective on rainy days as water
generally seeps into the brake pads and disks.
v In case it is raining heavily and you
cannot see ahead, turn on the headlights and fog lights and drive at a cautious
speed.
v The Air conditioner should be
maintained properly and to use the demister, set the fan speed to low, turn the
vent control to windscreen, set control to fresh outside air, and turn on the
AC and it will help the car glasses from fogging up.
v If you are to drive through stagnant
water, do not panic. Put the car in first gear and move ahead gently. Do not
drive fast and once you step into stagnant water do not stop your car, just
keep moving or water might get into the tail pipe.
v Battery condition should be checked, and a
coat of petroleum jelly should be applied to the terminals.
v Drive only if it’s necessary - Yes,
you’ve heard it on the weather forecast all the time, but people say it for a
reason. Put simply, if you don’t go out, you can’t come to any harm on the
road. Is your journey really that urgent or important?
v Maintain proper following distance (3
second rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
v Be more alert watching for brake lights
in front of you.
v Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely,
because the spray created by their large tires can reduce vision.
v Drive in the tracks of a vehicle ahead
of you.
Controlling the rains is not in our hands but taking good care of your car in
this season is surely in our hands. During the rainy season, there are
several prominent factors which make driving unsafe such as poor visibility,
flooded roads, slippery road surface and potholes develop on roads, loss in
braking efficiency because of water seepage into brake disks and drums etc.
This
is the reason why you need to take extra care of your car or take some
preventive measures that will not only help you drive safely but also to keep
the car’s condition well throughout the rainy season.
Most important parts of cars which need special attention during
the rainy season include:
Ø Tyres
Ø Brakes
Ø Electricals
Ø Wipers
and Washer
Ø Body
TYRES
Making sure that the tyres are in
excellent condition during the rainy season is of utmost importance. The tread
depth should be good enough or else they are likely to skid over slippery
surfaces due to aquaplaning. The tyre tread depth should not be less than 2 mm. Rubber
has a tendency to soften when coming in contact with water so one should check
the tyre pressure regularly and inflate it to the pressure recommended by the
manufacturer. This regular check will not only ensure better driving comfort
but good tyre life as well.
BRAKES
Brake callipers are the most crucial
part of a car and you should regularly clean and replace if needed to keep them
dirt free. Brakes should not be too tight or too loose and you should keep
using them as water will most likely wet the brake drums, therefore reducing
braking efficiency. One small tip for drying out brakes is by placing your left
foot on the brake pedal and gently moving the throttle in, using your right
foot. Carrying out this operation immediately after wading through water will
ensure it has not gotten stuck to the brake discs/drums.
ELECTRICALS
If you see any loose or weak electrical
connections, patch them up. Make sure external wires are insulated. Also,
ensure that all the fuses are working fine and do carry some extra fuses. Check
all the lights, it is advisable to keep your parking light and brake light on
while driving.
WIPERS AND
WASHER
Wiper blades have a tendency to wear
out very fast. Within a year the rubber strip becomes useless and it is
recommended to change it every year before the rains begin. One should ensure
that the rubber is not hard and does not have cracks as they will scratch the
windscreen. Do check that the wipers are working properly at all the three
speeds. The washer bottle should be filled up and if you want you can add a
mild detergent which will help keep the windshield glass clean and oil free.
BODY
Rainwater is slightly acidic in nature
and can damage the car’s body if it is exposed to it for extended periods of
time. Protect your car’s body from rain and apply a good wax polish. The wax
will not only protect the paint but will also allow water to roll off easily.
Greasing all the door hinges is also necessary. To prevent rusting on exposed
metal parts, you can spray anti-moisture spray like WD40, Zorric, Rusklick etc.
If the rubber lining on the doors is falling loose, replace them before the
rains start.
We wish you safe and comfortable
driving during the rains. However for a more comprehensive protection during
this season and all year round, check out our variant motor insurance products: goo.gl/Cvv29y & goo.gl/4bk3th
Sources:
