Driving tips

Wet weather driving - how to avoid making a splash

Rain need not put a damper on our driving says one of the country's leading breakdown services.

Autonational Rescue report an increased call on their services in wet weather, usually to engine cut-outs, but the majority of these could easily be avoided with a few simple precautions.

"A major cause of engine failures," says Autonational's marketing manager Ronan Hart "is that some motorists regard flash flooding as an opportunity to indulge in a theme park water splash!

"Driving too fast through flooded roads can, if you're not careful, affect the electrics, coil, distributor, leads and engine management system.

"What's more, if you drive through deep water, you can flood the air filter and in turn the cylinder head which will cause major problems."

Autonational's advice is, if driving through flood water is unavoidable, reduce your speed to avoid splashing water under the bonnet (or walkers on the pavement!).

Drive slowly in first gear, keeping the engine revs high by slipping the clutch to prevent stalling.

The deepest parts are normally near the kerb or dips in the road, and after successfully negotiating the flood water, test your brakes.

Even if water lying on the road isn't obvious, rain on a road surface can result in aquaplaning caused by the tyres losing contact with the road. If this occurs, avoid instinctive braking. Allow the vehicle to slow down naturally, easing off the accelerator and keeping the car in a straight line.

Wet weather is cited as the cause of an estimated one in four road accidents and Autonational emphasise the importance of adequate tyre tread.

The legal minimum tyre tread requirement is 1.6mm, but research has shown that wet weather tyre performance deteriorates more rapidly as the tread depth reduces.

There are calls for tyres to be replaced when tread depth drops below 3mm and tests have shown that tyres with a 3mm tread, besides having a better road grip in the wet, have a 25% better wet weather stopping distance capability than those with a 1.6mm tread.

Said Ronan Hart: "We are not suggesting 1.6mm tread is unsafe, but with heavy rain and flash flooding appearing to be on the increase, we would advise motorists to replace tyres sooner rather than later."

Some additional wet weather advice is: don't overlook your wiper blades. Worn wipers will not clear the windscreen adequately of rain and spray from other vehicles resulting in reduced visibility.

Slow down, and be seen in the rain by using dipped headlights.

For more information about Autonational Rescue, the car breakdown service with the no claims bonus, call 07000 999 911.