Does Rain Damages my Car?

Summer and early fall have one thing in common: rain. Maybe not quite so much in the Beehive state, but you go where your car takes you, and that can be all over the country in the summer and fall. Have you ever wondered how rain affects your cars’s body? Here’s what you should know, and what you should do.

Rain Water

Rain water isn’t inherently hard on your vehicle, though elements left on the car after water has evaporated can be worrisome. Dirt, dust, and other small particles can be left on the vehicle and give your car less shine over time. However, you shouldn’t generally worry about water eating away at your paint. With that being said, what about while you’re driving?

There are various methods to keeping safe while driving in the rain. Though it’s definitely not as hard as driving in the snow, you should still be cautious about driving on slick roads. Try these out the next time you are driving in a heavy downpour:

Slow down – by all means do not drive so slow that you’re disrupting traffic flow, but you can drive anywhere between 5 and 10 miles per hour slower than the speed limit, which will help you avoid hydroplaning.
Sit forward and pay attention – it’s crucial that you are on the lookout for potential hazards during heavy rain.
Use your lights – make sure you can see where you’re going, and that other drivers can see you coming.
Avoid highways – if you can. We know this isn’t always possible, but by avoiding these fast-paced roads you can greatly reduce your risk for incidents.
Check your tires – you should regularly check the tread on your tires for maximum grip on the road. Depending on what kind of drive your car has, you should also regularly rotate your tires. Ask a tire expert if and when you should rotate your tires.

Maintain and Protect your Car

Your best protection is to maintain your car with vigilance. A car wash following a few days of heavy rain is always a good idea. More is better. In addition, a good wax job and protective paint application will greatly reduce the possibility of damage. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with rain-related car damage, but by following these suggestions you shouldn’t have to!