The San Jose area is a beautiful place to live, with stunning vistas, amazing architecture and a surprising number of wide open spaces. At the same time, the region is home to some of the most difficult weather extremes in the nation, and those environmental challenges can sometimes put your safety at risk.
The fog is legendary here, but the sudden downpours can be just as dramatic, and even more dangerous. Area drivers never know when a sudden cloudburst will turn their normally dry commute into a wet and slippery nightmare, so it is important to be prepared.
Safe Driving on Wet Roadways
Driving on wet roadways is not the same as driving on dry pavement. The challenges are much greater, and there are serious dangers lurking around every corner.
If you want to drive safely in the rain, you need to pay close attention to local weather conditions. A sudden downpour or slow drizzle can leave San Jose roadways slippery, especially if the rain has just started. When it rains, the oils in the roadway rise to the surface, creating a slippery sheen that often takes drivers by surprise.
Take Good Care of Your Tires
You may not give much thought to your tires – until a sudden rainstorm leaves the roadway slippery. When weather conditions worsen, the quality of your tires matters more than ever, but the time to care for your tires is now, when the road is still clear and dry.
Now is the time to check the tread on your tires, making sure they are wearing evenly and replacing your old bald tires if needed. You will also want to make sure your tires are properly inflated, with neither too much or too little air pressure.
Change Your Wiper Blades
It is easy to ignore your wiper blades when the weather is dry and sunny, but those wiper blades become critically important when the sky turns dark and stormy. If you cannot remember the last time you changed your wiper blades, now is the time to do it.
It only takes a minute to change your wiper blades, and doing so could protect you in the next rainstorm. You never know when the clouds will open up, so take the time to install a new set of wiper blades today.
Slow Down
Last but not least, simply slowing down is one of the best ways to improve your driving safety in the rain. When the roadways are wet and slippery, slowing down will preserve your stopping distance and give you extra control in an emergency.
It may take you a few extra minutes to reach your destination, but slowing down in the rain is the best way to make your trip a safe one. You will be glad you took the time, and so will your passengers and fellow drivers.
Call Dhillon Motorsports, formerly known as Smog Man San Jose for an appointment today!