Heavy Rain Section
During heavy rain, visibility is low and the road ahead is blurry—this is an obvious hazardous condition that naturally leads drivers to reduce speed. But there are also less obvious dangers, such as road surface water causing vehicles to skid and lose control. First and foremost, never drive fast in the rain, and definitely avoid sharp turns. Second, turn on your front and rear fog lights. Even during the day in heavy rain, it’s advisable to have your lights on, preferably including the front and rear fog lights, and set your windshield wipers to the highest speed. Third, do not attempt to overtake by accelerating. Maintaining a safe distance and controlling your speed are basic requirements for driving in the rain. Always pay attention to the speed and direction of the vehicle in front of you—never try to overtake just because it’s moving slowly. This is especially true on highways, where lane speeds are relatively high, the driver’s field of vision is narrower, and the wet road surface makes it easy for wheels to skid when forcibly changing lanes. A slight steering movement can lead to collisions with other vehicles or even rollovers. Fourth, stay calm if you lose control. Loss of control is particularly likely when crossing ditches or going downhill. If you feel the vehicle is becoming unmanageable, stay calm. Do not slam on the brakes or make erratic steering movements. Instead, ease off the accelerator, press the clutch pedal, and maintain your current state while rolling for a short distance until the wheels regain traction, then quickly regain control of the steering.
If you must drive through water, carefully assess the depth, flow rate, and nature of the riverbed, as well as the width of the entry and exit points and the condition of the road, to determine whether it is safe to proceed. Once you confirm that your vehicle’s structure can handle the crossing, generally choose the shortest route with the shallowest water, slowest current, and firmest riverbed. First, ensure the engine is running properly, the steering and braking systems are responsive, and shift into a low gear to enter the water smoothly. Avoid revving the engine or charging through, as this can cause water to splash into the engine and stall it. Maintain a steady throttle while driving through the water, aiming to cross in one go without shifting gears or making sharp turns. If the riverbed has mud or sand, be especially cautious about this. After exiting the water, press the brake pedal lightly several times to ensure the brakes are functioning properly and to prevent rear-end collisions due to brake failure. If the riverbed has quicksand or the wheels spin without traction, stop immediately—do not force your way through or press the accelerator pedal in a half-clutch state. Instead, have someone push the vehicle out without stalling the engine to avoid getting stuck deeper. While driving, focus on distant fixed objects, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, and drive straight ahead. Do not look at the flowing water or waves, as this can blur your vision and create illusions, causing the vehicle to veer off course. When multiple vehicles are crossing water, never enter the water all at once. Wait for the vehicle in front to reach the other side before proceeding, to prevent being stranded if the leading vehicle breaks down. Before crossing flooded roads or bridges with unknown conditions after water impact, first check for collapses or gaps to avoid rollovers.
Mountainous Road Sections
If your self-drive trip involves mountainous terrain, you must stay highly alert and focused, as you’ll face continuous winding roads. Turning creates centrifugal force—when going uphill, the slower speed results in weaker centrifugal force, and the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts backward, reducing understeer and making the front end easier to control. Downhill is the opposite: higher speeds, stronger centrifugal force, and a forward-shifted center of gravity increase understeer. In such cases, failing to slow down effectively before entering a turn increases the likelihood of veering off the road. Route selection is crucial when navigating a turn. The general approach is the “outside-inside-outside” method. For uphill turns, slightly easing off the throttle or shifting to a lower gear helps maintain traction during acceleration.
Proper steering control is also very important. Avoid counter-steering or crossing your hands, as this makes it harder to correct your trajectory. The correct technique is to alternate between pushing and pulling the steering wheel with one hand while turning.
When going downhill, due to the factors mentioned above, understeer is more pronounced. Therefore, on downhill turns, ensure sufficient deceleration by frequently applying the brakes and shifting into second or third gear—or ideally, using both methods to maximize engine braking. The grip between the front wheels and the road surface is critical during downhill turns. Apart from avoiding hard braking, also refrain from sudden steering maneuvers.
When driving on mountain roads, if the vehicle in front is moving slowly, do not overtake rashly. Also, be aware that a faster vehicle behind you may attempt to pass. In such cases, assess the interaction between the front, rear, and your own vehicle, use your turn signals to indicate your intentions to surrounding traffic, and return to your lane promptly after overtaking.
Highways
On highways, every vehicle is traveling at high speeds, so your reaction time must be quicker than usual. Stay highly focused to prepare for unexpected situations. Also, pay attention to more minor details: