How to prepare your car for wet weather

Though our current weather is mostly hot and humid, wet weather is never far behind. When the heavens open, road and traffic conditions become more dangerous.

You can (and should) of course, mitigate these conditions by slowing down and keeping a further distance from the vehicle in front of yours. But that's not all you can do. As a driver, you can prepare your car so that it becomes safer in inclement weather.

A good wipe

Wiper blades wear out quite easily, especially if your car is typically parked in an open carpark

The last thing you want in a thunderstorm is a windscreen with endless streaks from worn wiper blades.

Wiper blades are the components you're likely to change most as they experience the most wear. When they’re not clearing your windshield, they're resting on very hot glass. This repeated heating and cooling wears the rubber out quickly.

If you haven't changed your wiper blades in a year, go get yourself a new pair (or trio if you have a hatchback, estate or SUV). Replacement blades do not cost much, especially when they're on sale. You can also consider silicone blades as these usually last longer than rubber ones.

Wiper helper

Worn wiper blades and the lack of washer fluid mean your visibility will still be hampered - even when the sun comes out again

Complement your new wiper blades by adding washer fluid concentrate to your washer reservoir.

Washer fluid is specifically formulated to remove grime and bird poop from your windscreen, and does a much better job of clearing it compared to water alone.

Don't use dishwashing liquid or liquid soap, as these are not formulated for automotive use. They can even strip the wax or sealant you spent time carefully applying if they come into contact with the car's body.

If you're a first-time user, follow the directions and you'll see that you only need to pour a small amount before topping up the reservoir with clean water.

Rubber matters

The three deep grooves are responsible for channeling away standing water, thereby improving grip in wet conditions

Tyres are the only things on your car constantly in contact with the road, and on average, the contact patch (the actual part always touching the road) is as big as an adult's palm.

Ensure that your tyres are still in good condition. The tread depth should be more than 1.6mm and the shoulders shouldn't be overly worn.

Tyres displace water (so you don't aquaplane) and provide grip for acceleration and braking. Worn tyres will perform poorly on these counts, causing even longer stopping distances in wet conditions.

Repel water

These tiny water beads are indicative of paintwork that's been protected by a layer of wax or sealant

You can't stop your car from getting wet, but there’s a way to ensure that less water sticks to your car’s windows: hydrophobic coatings. You may have heard your friends talking about ceramic coatings - this is one way to increase your car’s ability to repel water.

Now, you could also buy Rain-X, which works well but requires some elbow grease to apply.

A much easier solution is a hydrophobic spray, such as Aqua Coat from Auto Finesse. After washing and rinsing your car, spray it onto your wet vehicle before giving it a final rinse. Then dry it as usual.

The rain drops that stick to your car will be smaller and when you’re at speed, the droplets on the rear windscreen will fly off, giving you clear rearward visibility. The product won't cause wipers to squeal or judder either.

Aqua Coat can also be sprayed onto the body and wheels to help prevent the build-up of grime and brake dust.

Protect paint

Today's waxes and sealants also come in a convenient spray form, so detailing your vehicle doesn't have to be a whole-day affair

If your car's appearance is important, then you definitely want to protect its paintwork, too. Washing, polishing if needed and applying a wax or sealant will help maintain the clear coat, keeping your car looking good as it ages.

That said, detailing in rainy weather is a gamble. As we all know, it will probably rain the moment you finish grooming your pride and joy.

To save time, consider using a spray wax instead of your usual liquid or paste wax. After washing and drying your car, two spritzes per panel (more for the bonnet, roof and boot lid) followed by a quick wipe are enough to keep your car protected for at least another two weeks.

Here are some related articles that might interest you

More tips for driving in the rain

Windows fogging up - how to prevent this from happening

Driving in the wet is no rocket science - here's how you can stay safe

Car crashes are always happening on rainy days! But why?

Here's how to drive through flooded roads

Crucial points you need to know to drive safely through the rain

Water spots - how to prevent them from occuring