I’m a car expert – here are my top tips for driving in rain… they may save your life
A CAR expert has shared some top tips for driving in the rain – and they could save your life.
The motors whizz took to TikTok to share the handy advice to help you avoid accidents and stay alert.
With summer coming to an end, it’s vital that drivers know how to cope with poor visibility and slippery roads to stay safe through a typically damp British winter.
First of all, the expert recommended turning off the automatic stop/start function if your car has it.
This feature is designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions by switching off your engine whenever you come to a halt.
For example, if you stop at traffic lights it will turn the engine off and then spark it into life again once you press the accelerator.
However, our expert claimed that, in the event of heavy rain and flooding, this can make your car more prone to cut out in deep water.
Not only does this possibly leave you stranded but restarting the engine when it’s waterlogged can damage it, leaving you with a hefty repair bill.
You can switch this off by pressing a button on your dashboard marked by a letter A with a circular arrow around it.
Secondly, the expert revealed a little-known function that can help improve visibility in the wet.
Simply turn on the “front windshield defogging function” on your air con as soon as you start the car to clear condensation from the glass.
This is often done by pressing a button or turning a switch marked with a box with wavy arrows going through it.
Next, she advised against pressing the button to turn traction control off.
While it can be used in some circumstances, it should never be used on a wet road as it make the chance of skidding and losing control much higher.
Don’t worry if you hit the button accidentally, as it requires a firm press for a couple of seconds to disengage the feature for safety reasons.
Fourthly, the expert said: “Be sure to turn on the vehicle’s fog lights.
“The penetrating power of fog lights is particularly strong.
“It can prevent rear-end collisions.”
Fog lights are a legal requirement for cars in the UK and can usually be switched on from the stick by the steering wheel that controls the headlights.
However, you can only use them when visibility is reduced, so do not use them in light rain.
If it is foggy, there is low cloud or the rain is so heavy that you cannot see, then they can legally be used.
Consult your owner’s manual to find the exact location in your particular car.
Finally, she urged drivers to use the rear-view window defog functions to clear off their wing mirrors.
While many might not know this, the function causes your mirrors to heat up and clear condensation off them, so you have a clear view behind.
The button for this is similar to the windshield defog button so make sure to learn the difference from your owner’s manual.
Social media commenters were amazed by the handy hacks.
One wrote simply: “Wow”
It comes after a car cleaning whizz revealed the £2.50 B&M gadget that will leave your motor sparkling.
Meanwhile, an urban explorer found a vast car graveyard full of BMWs, Land Rovers and even a fire engine.