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BMW specialist Melbourne shares nine of the best car care tips to help owners navigate unexpected Australian rain. Let’s learn about them in detail:
1. Inspect your tyres:
The grooves on your vehicle’s tyres help expel water from beneath their treads. This helps the tyres grip the road better. If the tyres are older or highly worn-out, they will have shallower grooves, putting your prestige car at higher risk of slipping on the wet surface. It can even harm the car’s suspension and steering systems in extreme cases.
You should check your tyre tread when taking your vehicle out in the rain to prevent such risks. If you notice worn-out tyres, avoiding driving your vehicle until you get a tyre replacement would be safe.
Moreover, check the tyres’ pressure and inflate them to the recommended levels for safe driving on wet roads.
2. Check the weatherstripping:
Weatherstripping is the rubber that seals openings in a car, like windows, doors, and bonnet and prevents rainwater from seeping into the car’s interior.
However, they degrade over time and lose grip, making your car more susceptible to rainwater leakage.
As such, ensure the weatherstripping is replaced or repaired, if necessary, before driving your vehicle in the rain.
3. Give your car a protective coating:
A good quality car wax and rain repellant are a great protective measure for your prestige vehicle in the rain. Wash your car and apply a good wax on its exposed surface. Waxing your car creates a protective layer, preventing rainwater from sticking to it for prolonged periods.
It also reduces the risk of water spots and rust. What more? Your prestige car’s paint won’t lose its sheen with age.Similarly, apply a rain repellent to your windshield.
This will form a hydrophobic barrier, causing rainwater to form droplets and slide off the glass. This will significantly improve visibility during wet conditions. However, use only a reputable brand’s repellant and follow the guidelines for application.
4. Run your air conditioning system:
Wondering why run the aircon system during the rain? Well, the air contains a lot of moisture during rain. As such, the difference in the car’s temperature inside and outside can cause moisture to condense on the vehicle’s windshield and windows.
This can hamper your visibility, adding to your risks while driving. Running your car’s AC system can prevent this from occurring.
5. Check your wipers:
The car’s wiper blades tend to dry and become brittle and cracked over time. This prevents them from making proper contact with the windshield surface.
If you continue to use worn-out wipers, it will leave streaks, smears and skips as they move across the windshield surface. As a result, the driving visibility will be reduced, causing risks when driving in rain. As a best practice, consider replacing your wiper blades every six to twelve months.
However, this also depends on the weather in your area and how frequently their usage is.
6. Check the electrical wiring:
Inspecting the electrical wiring is crucial during rainy weather. The reason is simple: electricity and water do not match well. Any improperly installed or exposed wiring can cause a significant short-circuit risk when exposed to rainwater.
This can create a safety hazard for you and other car occupants. So, to ensure the safety of your luxury car, open the car’s bonnet and look closer at the condition of the electrical wiring.
Do you notice any cables or wires improperly fitted? Are there wires showing signs of corrosion or with peeled- insulation? If you spot any of these issues, take your vehicle to a European car mechanic near you and have them replaced.
7. Get your car’s battery checked up:
A malfunctioning battery can cause various issues during rainy weather, including stalling and engine misfires, loss of power steering and braking assist, and even difficulty starting the engine. Hence, living in a place like Australia, where there is frequent rain, you should often get your battery checked by professionals.
This will ensure your car’s battery is in proper working order. Also, have the cable connectors checked for rust or any other signs of corrosion. If required, get a new battery.
8. Inspect your brakes:
The car’s brakes are your biggest saviour during wet weather. However, for the brakes to function spot-on, they should be well-maintained. Clean the brake components, like callipers and rotor surfaces, to remove dirt and grime, which can affect their effectiveness.
Also, flush out the brake fluid if it’s contaminated or discoloured and fill it with fresh fluid.Have your brake pads, lines, and rotors checked periodically for wear and tear so you know when to have them repaired or replaced. Lastly, ensure your Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is functioning properly, as it helps maintain control during hard braking on wet roads.
9. Wash and dry your prestige car after a rain shower:
Are you among those who think rain does a fine job of washing your car? Well, you’re certainly giving the wrong impression! If your car has been exposed to rainwater for a prolonged period, wash it and dry it with a towel immediately.
As mentioned, rainwater can be corrosive. Hence, you don’t want the raindrops to sit on your car’s surface long. Moreover, rainwater contains dust and other deposits that may accumulate as residue on the car once the water has evaporated.
These may cause spots and stains, ruining your prestige car's appearance. Not to mention, these are sometimes difficult to remove on your own. And while you wash the car’s exterior, do not neglect its interiors. Your car’s interior is prone to mud, dirt, and road grime during the rain and may cause corrosion. As such, have the car interiors properly cleaned and greased.
Final takeaway:
As a responsible car owner, it is your duty to take good care of your prestige car, especially during challenging times like rainy weather. To protect your car and ensure its optimal performance even on wet roads, you can follow these 9 car care tips mentioned above. Moreover, experts like BCS Prestige recommend getting your prestige car serviced and maintained regularly to avoid unforeseen situations.