Fall is here and rain season is slowly coming upon us. If you have lived in San Diego or Southern California for any length of time you know that even light rain brings chaos to our roads and makes commuting a very trying experience. with a little bit of preparation, you can make driving in the rain a lot safer for yourself and others.
Get your car ready for driving in the rain:
Check your headlights:
Are they foggy? Foggy headlights diffuse the light and reduce your visibility increasing the risk of accident. Dim headlights lights make your car harder to see in the dark or in the rain also increasing the risk of accident. Remember be seen is just as important and seeing.
Check your windshield wipers:
I know, in Southern California we don’t get to use our wipers that often and one might think if I don’t use them they don’t wear our and I don’t need to change them. You could not be more wrong, true we do not get much rain for most of the year but the rubber bakes on your windshield in temperatures exceeding 120 degrees. You should change them twice a year, at least.
Check your windshield washer tank:
Is it full. In Southern California we usually get light rain, especially at the beginning of the rain season, the light rain might not be enough to wash off the dust on your windshield but will surely be enough to make a mess.
Check your windshield
Check for cracks and chips (most insurance companies will get chips fixed at no cost, do not wait for the chip to become a crack and have to replace the windshield)
Clean your windshield and windows inside and outside. There is nothing worse than a dirty windshield at night with cars coming at you. What you don’t see during the day (aka dirty film on the inside) can seriously reduce your visibility and increase glare. As a result a dirty windshield increases the risk of accident and could earn you a traffic ticket.
Check your tires:
Tire thread:
A major cause of accident in the rain and we all know how bad it gets in Southern California even with light rain, are bald tires. Worn out tire have less traction, they are prone to hydroplaning causing you to lose control of the vehicle and crash. Check your tires before the rain season. You can use a number of method, if you are not sure, go to a tire store and ask them to check your tires
Tire pressure:
Check your tire pressure regularly, don’t over or under inflate, the correct pressure will keep you safe and make your tire last longer
Check your battery:
Today’s batteries last around 4 years, anything longer is a bonus. the last thing you want is being stuck in a parking lot at night or in the rain with a dead battery
Clean your battery;
Check your cables and connections for signs of corrosion, chack for cracks in the case or the cover.
Check your brakes:
Check your brake pads, disks or drums for excessive wear that could lead for uneven braking and increased risk of accident. Check your brake fluid level.
Check your fluid levels:
When was your last engine oil change? Depending on the age of your car and the type of oil you should change the oil every 3500mi to 10000mi or twice a year if you do not drive that much
Check or have a mechanic check your transmission oil level
Check your brake fluid level
Check your cooling fluid level
We hope this check list helps stay safe on the road. We’d love to fix your car but we’d much rather you stay safe.
Share with your friends and family so they too can be safe on the road.