Prepare your ride for rainy season: 6 common car problems & tips to avoid

During the rainy season, drivers often experience mechanical problems on their vehicle. Rainy seasons means colder weather and auto experts say that many car problems may arise when there is extremely low temperature mainly because cold temperature causes metals to shrink.

Aside from that, there are still several car problems driver often encounter during the rainy season. Philkotse.com gathered the most common car problems brought by the rainy seasons and things to do to avoid it.

1. Dead battery

A dead battery is one of the most common car problems that drivers experience during the rainy season and cold weather. This is because dropping temperatures causes the battery to overwork especially when starting the engine.

Another reason for a dead battery is the fact that more power is needed and consumed by different car systems during rainy seasons. This includes the fog headlights, windshield wiper, car heater or air conditioning and even radio or stereo. The capacity of the car battery is most probably be reduced in the long run.

A dead battery is one of the most common car problems that drivers experience during the rainy season and cold weather

Tips to avoid

One effective way to avoid a dead battery is by regular inspection. Before heading off the road, inspect your car battery Check if the capacity of the battery can pull through the rainy season.

And if it is already three or four years old, you should consider buying a new one. This will prevent you from encountering a dead battery that will cause your car to be stranded in the middle of the raining road.

>>> You might like to read: 6 tips to preserve car battery during rainy season in the Philippines

2. Tire pressure

The tire’s pressure will fluctuate when the temperature is low. In addition, the pressure of the tires will also decrease if the vehicle is stationary. The rainy and cold season has major effects on the car’s tire pressure. It can either create car problems related to too high or too low tire pressure.

The most common problem it might cause in the car is irregular wear and tear of the tire. This is one of the major reasons why the lifespan of the tires will most likely shorten. Additionally, it can also lead to a total tire blowout when driving which is extremely dangerous and a major inconvenience.

Tips to avoid

The best way to avoid too low or too high car tire pressure is by regularly checking the pressure of the tires. This should always be done before hitting the road.

You should also make it a habit to constantly check the tire pressure indicator on the car’s dashboard every time you start the car and when already driving. Make sure that you have the right tire pressure before heading on the rainy and cold road.

The rainy and cold season has major effects on the car’s tire pressure.

3. Foggy windows and windshield

Another most common car problems that drivers often encounter during the rainy and cold season is the foggy windows and windshield. This often happens when different air temperatures meet on the car’s windshield. Simply put, window fogs during the rainy season is caused by the warm air in the car’s cabin that meets the cold windshield.

Windows fogs during the rainy season will surely impair the driver’s visibility of the road.

Tips to avoid

The best way to avoid a foggy window and windshield is to lower the temperature inside your vehicle in a way that it will match the outside air. Doing so will reduce the fog. Just be prepared and wear a jacket or a sweater because it will be a little cold inside your car.

There are other ways to reduce the fog in the windshield by turning on the defrost vent with cool air and/or changing the air source inside your car.

Fog build-up in the windshield and windows often happen when different air temperatures meet on the car’s windshield.

4. Failing windshield wiper

In relation to the foggy windshield, windshield wipers also contribute to providing visibility to the driver, especially during the rainy season. And, visibility is the most basic necessity for car drivers. Heavy rain, just like the foggy windshield, causes difficulty for drivers in seeing the roads ahead as well as the surroundings.

This often led to car accidents involving pedestrians crossing the road. This is where the windshield wipers became very important. It provides better visibility of the road when driving on the rainy roads. However, a failing windshield wiper might only cause more trouble than it helps.

Tips to avoid

To avoid dealing with a failing windshield wiper when driving, always make it a habit to check the wiper blades before the rainy season comes. It is also advised to have it replaced every year or as often as necessary. You can either change the entire blade or the rubbers only, depending on the condition of the blades.

Doing so will make sure you will not encounter any problems with the windshield on your rainy-day drive. It will also ensure that you have constant visibility of the road.

Wanna try this manual windshield wiper? 

>>> More safety tips when driving in rainy season: How to drive safely in heavy rain: 5 essential tips

5. Thickening fluids

During the rainy season, temperatures also drop. This drop of temperature causes car fluids to thicken affecting their movement in the car’s system. The car fluids such as the engine oil, antifreeze and the transmission fluid will become less viscous. This will cause them to move less freely within the systems of the car.

Tips to avoid

According to car experts, the way to counter this is by leaving the engine of the car running for at least ten minutes. This will allow the fluids to warm up. Additionally, you can also consider changing the car fluids before the rainy seasons in preparation for the cold temperature.

You should also maintain the car’s fluid at its recommended level to ensure that you won’t encounter car problems because of the car fluids.

The drop of temperature causes car fluids to thicken affecting their movement in the car’s system

6. Failure of vehicle lights

The car's light (headlights, signal light, fog headlight, etc.) plays an important role in providing road visibility most particularly during heavy downpours and foggy driving conditions. Aside from that, it also helps you to be seen by other drivers and pedestrians. A failing vehicle light will pose a great danger not only to you but to other drivers and people on the road.

Tips to avoid

The best way to avoid it is by constantly checking your vehicle lights. Clean your headlights and other car lights. You should also consider replacing light bulbs that are too old or is showing signs that it will give up on you soon. Always make sure that vehicle lights are all working before you drive during the rainy season.

>>> Read more useful car tips and advice on Philkotse.com