5 essential car tips for the rainy season
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Here’s all you need to know about caring for your vehicle in wet weather.
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Dec 11, 2015Most drivers know the golden rules for driving in rainy conditions – turn on your lights, slow down, keep a safe distance from the next car – but did you know that you should also take special care of your vehicle in wet weather? That’s because rain and wet driving conditions affect vehicle parts very differently from regular (dry) conditions.
Since the rainy season is upon us again, with hard-to-predict downpours happening almost every day, it’s high time to arm yourself with useful knowledge about caring for your vehicle in wet weather. With the help of industry experts, we’ve compiled this simple checklist of five important tips to keep your ride in good shape this season.
1. Keep washing your car
It’s tempting to skip the car washing because it’s raining all the time anyway, but don’t give in! Rain actually doesn’t do any favours for your vehicle’s exterior – it leaves behind acidic deposits that eat away at the exposed parts of your car, especially the paint job and any metallic (e.g. chrome) finishes.
The best thing you can do for your vehicle’s exterior is to keep up with regular, proper care. Before washing, rinse off heavy deposits with plenty of water and a microfibre cloth to remove stubborn stains such as bird droppings. Clean the vehicle starting from the top and working down using a soft sponge. Make sure to use solvent free cleaning products.
If you don’t have time for a full wash, a quick hose-down can help neutralise acidity after your car has been out in the rain.
2. Maintain your wheels for driving safety
During rainy season, it’s extra important for your vehicle’s tyres to be in tip-top condition. On wet road surfaces, vehicles are prone to aquaplaning. This can be due to different tread depths on the tyres, vehicle speed and differing road surfaces.
To minimize this risk, regularly check your tyres to ensure sufficient tread depth for a safe drive. If they are worn, especially below specifications (check your owner’s manual), get them replaced.
3. Up your windscreen wiper game
Your wipers are going to be working very hard this wet weather season, so check on the condition of your wiper blades and quantity of washer fluid frequently. Some vehicles such as new Audi models have a warning light that would show up on the dashboard telling you it’s time to top up your washer fluid. Click on this link to find out how to top up your washer fluid.
Listen out for jerking, squeaking and other noises, which indicate that the wiper blade might need replacing. It’s important to keep all wiper parts in order as visibility is crucial for your safety when it rains.
Photo: Audi4. Check your headlights and taillights
Your headlights and taillights are more important than ever during rainy season – not just for illuminating the environment when it’s dark and stormy, but also to indicate your position clearly to other road users. For your driving safety, check that your headlights and taillights are turned on. Dipped beam lights ensure maximum visibility for you and other road users.
You might know of LED displays, screens and even traffic lights, but have you heard of LED headlights? In fact, LED technology is proven to improve driving safety through rapid response and stronger lighting. The new Audi Matrix LED Headlights can do even more; the system dims light that would shine directly onto oncoming and preceding vehicles, but continue to cast its full light on the zones between and beside them. This works because the LED high beams are split into numerous individual light-emitting diodes. Find out more* about Audi’s innovative LED retrofit solutions from Audi Genuine Parts today.
In damp or humid weather, you may find your lights lenses fog over due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your vehicle. A simple fix is to switch the lights on, and the fog will clear shortly.
Photo: Audi* For more information, please contact:
Audi Centre Singapore 281 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159938/ Tel: 68382223
Audi Service Centre 55 Ubi Road 1, Singapore 408699/ Tel: 636623235. Weather-proof your vehicle with the right accessories
Enjoy a more comfortable ride by investing in accessories to protect your vehicle’s interior from water, mud and dirt. Just for the rainy season (up to 31 Jan 2016), Audi Service Centre is offering great deals on protective gear such as rubber floor mats, boot trays and pedal caps.
For the same period, Audi is also offering deals on parts such as brake pads brake discs and aero wipers. These Audi Genuine Parts are made-to-measure and engineered for reliability and performance regardless of weather conditions.
Photo: AudiNow you know more about the parts of your vehicle that are most affected by wet weather, as well as how to maintain or improve them. Not only will these tips save you time and money in the long run, they’ll also keep you, your passengers and fellow drivers safe.
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is this a free audi advertisement or some lame tips?
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stated up there is a sponsored post
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why cant they do a better job?
good technology but poor engineering
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i have friends who usually change tyres in oct/nov to prepare for the wet weather ahead.
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cool