Safe Driving Tips for the Rainy Season: "Essential to Check Tire and Wiper Conditions"

Chevrolet Vehicle Inspection Reference Photo

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] With the start of the rainy season along with summer, interest in safe driving on wet roads is also increasing. Since the risk of accidents is higher on wet roads than usual, thorough preparation is necessary.

On the 19th, Chevrolet suggested some useful tips for safe driving during the summer rainy season.

Vehicle Inspection is Essential During the Rainy Season

Checking the condition of your vehicle in advance is essential for safe driving during the rainy season. Tires are an easy-to-check but often overlooked part. When driving on wet roads, rainwater is discharged through the grooves between the tire treads, so if the tire treads are worn, the drainage performance decreases.

Reduced drainage performance can cause hydroplaning, which threatens the safety of drivers and passengers. It is important to replace tires in a timely manner, and increasing tire air pressure by about 10% above the recommended level is also a good way to improve drainage capability. Checking the vehicle’s fluids is also necessary.

Make sure that engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, and other liquids are maintained at appropriate levels, and refill if they are low. Regularly starting the engine prevents the engine oil from drying out and helps circulate the coolant to keep the engine at an optimal temperature.

During the heavy rains of the rainy season, securing the driver’s visibility is the most important. To ensure visibility, checking the wipers and the condition of the vehicle’s glass is essential. Wipers are the most essential car parts for securing visibility during the rainy season, and if they are severely worn, they cannot wipe away rainwater effectively when operating, so pre-checks are necessary.

Turning on Headlights Helps

During the rainy season, it is relatively darker than usual, and it is difficult for drivers to identify pedestrians or oncoming vehicles, so it is advisable to keep the headlights on at all times.

This not only helps secure forward visibility but also signals your driving status to other vehicles in the rain. Setting the auto light function, which automatically turns on the headlights depending on the amount of sunlight, in advance allows for more convenient use on wet roads.

Wet road surfaces increase braking distance by 1.8 times compared to dry roads. Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and reducing speed by about 20-50% compared to usual helps prevent slipping accidents.

Pedal operation should be smooth, and sudden acceleration or sudden braking should be avoided as they cause slipping. When cornering, gently turn the steering wheel and minimize pedal operation to prevent skidding.

Meanwhile, the company explained that Chevrolet vehicle owners can receive maintenance services through 424 service networks nationwide.

In particular, from the 19th to the 23rd, during the summer vacation period, Chevrolet plans to offer eight types of free vehicle safety inspections at nine Chevrolet direct service centers nationwide to help customers drive safely.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.