Rain is something which is completely unavoidable when living in the United Kingdom, and unfortunately it can have serious effects on your car if you don’t protect it properly.
The month of April is a time of year that is well known for having some of the rainiest spells, so although summer is on its way, it is well worth thinking about protecting your car against water as well as heat and sunlight.
The number of vehicles which breakdown and require roadside assistance always increases during the wetter months. This is because even slight amounts of damp can cause huge problems if they get into the wrong parts of the car. Although cars are engineered to withstand a certain amount of rain, engines and electrical systems are not fully waterproof and could easily be damaged if exposed to too much water. Here are some helpful tips to give you some ideas about how best to protect your vehicle from the damaging effects of rain.
1) Park inside
If you have a garage or a more sheltered place to park, use this to keep your car out of reach of the elements. Parking in a covered area not only protects your car from the rain but also from sunlight and extremes of temperatures. If you can find a parking space with partial cover, such as under a tree, then this is always preferable to leaving it out in the open.
2) Give it a wax coating
Coating your car in a wax finish not only makes it look extremely shiny but will also offer a layer of protection against the rainy weather. The wax forms a barrier between the outside of the car and the rainwater, stopping the two from coming into contact with one another. This means that the paint is protected from the water and doesn’t have the opportunity to rust.
3) Invest in a car cover
If you have to leave your car parked outside in the rainy weather, investing in a car cover could be the answer to all of your problems. Car covers are usually made out of a material which is both waterproof and breathable. This means that the water cannot get in through the fabric, but any humid air which may be trapped underneath the cover will be able to escape. This creates the best environment possible for protecting your car against the elements, even if they can be a bit of a faff to put on and take off.
4) Don’t make unnecessary journeys in the rain
It is so tempting to use the car to get from A to B when it is raining, instead of finding an alternative method of transport. If you frequently drive your car in the rain, the parts will wear out and rust more quickly than if you drive in good weather. The water from the road splashes up against the underside of the car and can begin to wear away at vital engine parts. If your journey can wait until after the rain has calmed down then this is probably a much better option.
5) Mudguards
Mudguards do not just protect your car against excess mud from flying up off the road, but can also protect your wheels and brakes from water damage. The mud flaps will deflect water by creating a protective barrier to redirect the water, and mud, sprayed up into the air by the motion of the wheels.
6) Plan your journey
If you know that the route you normally take includes areas which are prone to flooding, take a minute to re-plan your journey before you set off. Driving through deep water can cause irreparable damage to the inner workings of the engine. It is worth taking a 10 minute detour to avoid having to replace the entire engine of your vehicle. If you do have to drive through a flooded area, make sure that you test your brakes immediately afterwards.
Since the brakes are located near the wheels, they are very exposed to water and can be easily damaged or dislodged by large amounts of water all in one go. Drive slowly away from the flood and tap your brakes a few times to make sure that they are fully functional before you continue on your journey.
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