5 essential car tips for the rainy season

Here's all you need to know about caring for your vehicle in wet weather.

Most drivers know the golden rules for driving in rainy conditions – turn on your lights, slow down, keep a safe distance from the next car but did you know that you should also take special care of your vehicle in wet weather? That’s because rain and wet driving conditions affect vehicle parts very differently from regular (dry) conditions.

Since the rainy season is upon us again, with hard-to-predict downpours happening almost every day, it’s high time to arm yourself with useful knowledge about caring for your vehicle in wet weather. With the help of industry experts, we’ve compiled this simple checklist of five important tips to keep your ride in good shape this season.

It’s tempting to skip the car washing because it’s raining all the time anyway, but don’t give in! Rain actually doesn’t do any favours for your vehicle’s exterior – it leaves behind acidic deposits that eat away at the exposed parts of your car, especially the paint job and any metallic (e.g. chrome) finishes.

The best thing you can do for your vehicle’s exterior is to keep up with regular, proper care. Before washing, rinse off heavy deposits with plenty of water and a microfibre cloth to remove stubborn stains such as bird droppings. Clean the vehicle starting from the top and working down using a soft sponge. Make sure to use solvent free cleaning products.

If you don’t have time for a full wash, a quick hose-down can help neutralise acidity after your car has been out in the rain.

During rainy season, it’s extra important for your vehicles tyres to be in tip-top condition. On wet road surfaces, vehicles are prone to aquaplaning. This can be due to different tread depths on the tyres, vehicle speed and differing road surfaces.

To minimize this risk, regularly check your tyres to ensure sufficient tread depth for a safe drive. If they are worn, especially below specifications (check your owner’s manual), get them replaced.

To avoid aquaplaning, do check your tyres regularly to ensure sufficient tread depth for a safer drive.

Your wipers are going to be working very hard this wet weather season, so check on the condition of your wiper blades and quantity of washer fluid frequently. Some vehicles such as new Audi models have a warning light that would show up on the dashboard telling you it’s time to top up your washer fluid.

Listen out for jerking, squeaking and other noises, which indicate that the wiper blade might need replacing. It’s important to keep all wiper parts in order as visibility is crucial for your safety when it rains.

Did you also know your wiper rubber covers an average of 800km over your windscreen in just six months? To sustain optimal streak-free cleaning performance caused by wear and tear, swap your Aero-wipers for the original from Audi Genuine Parts.

Your headlights and taillights are more important than ever during rainy season – not just for illuminating the environment when its dark and stormy, but also to indicate your position clearly to other road users. For your driving safety, check that your headlights and taillights are turned on. Dipped beam lights ensure maximum visibility for you and other road users.

The HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light in new models such as the Audi Q7 consist of many small, individually-controllable LEDs per unit. The road is illuminated precisely with data from the front camera, shielding other road users from the light to prevent dazzling. The laser light allows illumination of greater reach, ensuring safety on roads with dim lighting.

In damp or humid weather, you may find your lights lenses fog over due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your vehicle. A simple fix is to switch the lights on, and the fog will clear shortly.

Enjoy a more comfortable ride by investing in accessories to protect your vehicles interior from water, mud and dirt. Visit the Audi Service Centre at 55 Ubi Road 1 for more protective gear such as rubber floor mats, boot trays and pedal caps.

Wondering if you should be changing your brake pads brake discs and aero wipers? Make sure that you buy Audi Genuine Parts - as these are made-to-measure and engineered for reliability and performance regardless of weather conditions.

Now you know more about the parts of your vehicle that are most affected by wet weather, as well as how to maintain or improve them. Not only will these tips save you time and money in the long run, they’ll also keep you, your passengers and fellow drivers safe.

Find out more about the Audi Genuine Parts below.


For more information, please contact:
Audi Centre Singapore
281 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159938/ Tel: 68362223
Audi Service Centre
55 Ubi Road 1, Singapore 408699/ Tel: 63662323