With the remnants of Hurricane Rosa hitting the Valley, your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) can explain how best to protect your car and stay safe in the rain.
Pre-travel Checks:
- Be sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition.
- Make sure headlights and brake lights are clean and bright.
- Check tire treads.
- Check rubber molding around windshield, doors and cab. If water seeps it, it can lead to major electrical problems.
- Carry an emergency kit and fully charged cell phone.
Driving Tips:
- Drive with headlights on during rain to increase visibility.
- Slow down when roads are wet and create a safe distance between you and the cars ahead.
- Avoid getting close to big vehicles like buses and semis. They can create a spray that hits your windshield and can make it harder to see.
- Never cross a flooded road. Just a few inches of water can move a car, truck or SUV.
- Driving through water can lead to catastrophic failure of your engine and/or transmission.
- If you lose traction and it feels like your car is drifting or sliding, ease off the gas pedal. Do not hit the brakes. When drifting or sliding, carefully turn your steering wheel in the same direction of your slide.
- If you drove into water or your parking space became flooded have it towed ASAP Ask the driver to deliver the car without starting it so a mechanic can evaluate before turning the ignition.
- If you entered water pay close attention as you drive out. Gently apply your brakes a few times at low speed. Does anything look, feel, sound or smell different? When in doubt, have a trusted mechanic check it out.
