With spring returning and nature reviving, more and more drivers are embarking on road trips to enjoy the season. Mr. Ruan, after-sales manager at a professional 4S store, reminds us that with increased rainfall in spring, besides driving cautiously and slowly in the rain, drivers should also master the skill of using air conditioning to eliminate windshield fog. When driving on mountain roads or uneven surfaces, extra caution is needed, and gear selection should be used to control speed for safe driving.
Emergency braking on wet roads can easily lead to skidding
International driving safety surveys show that the rate of traffic accidents in rainy conditions is about five times higher than usual. For novice drivers, extra caution is especially important when driving in the rain. When driving in wet weather, the first thing to pay attention to is speed. Due to slippery roads, tire traction decreases significantly, and emergency braking can easily cause skidding. When driving, it’s important to reduce speed and maintain a proper safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. When encountering waterlogged roads, speed should be reduced to 20–30 km/h. Reducing speed should primarily be done by easing off the accelerator and gently applying the brakes—sudden braking must be used with extreme caution. Driving in the rain also requires ensuring the air conditioning system is functioning properly, as rain often causes window fogging, and using the AC airflow is the most immediate way to clear it.
If water droplets accumulate on the left and right windows, adjust the windows up or down to reduce buildup and improve visibility in the side mirrors. If the rain is very heavy, it’s advised that novice drivers avoid taking to the road and instead park the car on the side of the road with hazard lights on. If there is heavy rain or fog, fog lights should also be turned on. In cases of heavy fog or rain, hazard lights should be activated.
Avoid coasting in neutral on long downhill roads
When driving to mountainous areas, you often encounter long downhill stretches, and in some places, mountain roads feature continuous downhill slopes lasting several hours. It’s common to see large trucks stopping halfway down the mountain to cool their braking systems. This phenomenon clearly highlights the toll that long downhill roads take on braking systems. In such situations, controlling speed should primarily rely on engine braking, supplemented by foot braking—never coast in neutral (even fully depressing the clutch in a manual transmission is equivalent to driving in neutral). You should maintain a controllable speed according to the slope and curve conditions, and adjust to an appropriate gear. Generally speaking, the steeper the slope, the lower the gear you should choose, as this increases engine resistance. When the road ahead has better visibility, you may slightly increase speed, but engine braking should still be the main method of speed control, using the brakes only for emergency deceleration. On long downhill roads, also be mindful of oncoming uphill vehicles, stay as close to the right side of the road as possible, and honk your horn to warn others when approaching sharp turns with limited visibility.
Bumpy roads are a severe test for both tires and brakes. Tires subjected to prolonged compression on rough surfaces face a higher risk of blowouts. At the same time, when driving too fast, drivers may unconsciously brake frequently to ensure passenger comfort, which is very damaging to the braking system. Drivers should select appropriate gears and control speed to minimize damage to all vehicle components caused by rough roads.