With the weather taking it's inevitable autumnal turn, our friends at the RAC have written a guide to help drivers when the going gets wet.
Driving in heavy rain and flooding can be hazardous. Here are some useful hints and tips to help you prepare for wet weather.
Breakdown numbers increase during periods of wet weather as the damp causes problems with engines and electrical systems, and it is easy to flood your engine when driving through water if done so incorrectly.
If you must drive, there are a handful of steps you can take to reduce your chances of an accident or breakdown in wet weather.
It's advisable to consider before you set off whether your journey is essential. If not, can it be delayed until after the rain has calmed?
If so, then plan your journey, taking care to avoid areas which are prone to flooding, and factor in extra time to allow for slower speeds and potential congestion.
It is also wise to let relatives and friends know your intended route and expected time of arrival and where possible, travel with others.
Before you go:
Heavy rain may lead to large puddles, areas of standing water and even flooding; if you have to negotiate these types of conditions on the road, read below for our advice on how to drive through deep puddles.
The Highway Code states that stopping distances will be at least double in wet weather because your tyres will have less grip on the road.
Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front to account for greater stopping distances – remember the two-second rule? Well, increase it to four if it begins to pour.
"Puddles" may conjure an image of a small drop, but some can develop into sizeable bodies of water.
Incorrectly driving through these puddles could cause severe damage to your car, not to mention cost an extortionate amount to repair.
As a result, we've put together some top tips for driving through them:
Shallow puddles are not the most arduous obstacles to overcome, but it's still important to remember that on the other side of a puddle grip levels could be lower. Adjust your speed to suit the depth of the water, too.
If the obstruction is deeper, take more time and care when crossing it. A few minutes planning could save you plenty of time – and money – in having your car repaired. And never attempt to drive through fast-flowing water – you could easily get swept away.
All Ford vehicles sold at Bridgend Ford come with comprehensive UK and European Roadside Assistance; furthermore, if you have your vehicle maintained with us, we will renew your Roadside Assistance cover completely free.
If you do breakdown, you may use the following numbers, your contact Roadside assistance through the Ford Pass app:
In the UK you should call: 0800 111234 or Ford One Call on 0203 5644444
In any other European country, you should call: 00800 88776611 or +33 4268781
RAC statistics show breakdown numbers increase significantly during periods of wet weather, as the damp causes problems with the engines and electrical systems, particularly in older vehicles.
If your engine cuts out after driving through deep water, do not attempt to restart it, as engine damage may occur – instead, turn on the hazard lights, call for assistance and have the vehicle professionally examined.
Catastrophic flood-related engine damage is typically caused by water being sucked into the engine, which causes the engine to lock up (mechanics call it an ‘airlock') and can in turn damage important engine components such as piston connecting rods and valves.
This inevitably means a new engine will require fitment, but what people generally don't understand is that it is the owner who is likely to have to foot the expensive repair bill unless they can demonstrate to their insurer – like in an accident – that it was not their actions that caused the damage.