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Avoid the hazards of wet-weather driving

Since we're in the midst of another rainy season, it should be no surprise that Bangkok's traffic snarls have become heavier.

Published on July 18, 2007

Avoid the hazards of wet-weather driving

It seems we are totally without blue skies from mid-June to July, and the heavier the rain falls, the worse Bangkok's traffic becomes.

The traffic gets worse because drivers are forced to slow down when rain blocks their visibility. There's also the risk of skidding on a slippery road and the possibility of accidents. These conditions bring out the safety awareness in most drivers.

Another reason for reducing speed is the concern that by driving too fast through flooded areas, the car's engine will be soaked by water thrown from the wheels, and this could cause ignition failure and other electrical problems.

Whatever the reasons, rain is inevitably a setback to carefree driving. Khun Tinnakorn has asked me for tips for driving in the rainy season.

At what level of water on the road should a driver stop using his vehicle?

Passenger cars should avoid roads where floodwater reaches three-quarters of the height of the vehicle's tyres. An exception to this may be when a driver is thoroughly experienced or has been well trained in driving on flooded roads.

For diesel-engined pickups or four-wheel-drive vehicles, experienced drivers may continue driving when the water level reaches the bonnet. But this must always be done with a steady hand.

When I step on the brakes shortly after driving along a flooded road, occasionally the car does not stop, or skids to the right or left. When I have the car checked, the technicians say there is nothing wrong and ask to me test-drive it. When I do as they ask, I find that the brakes are functioning normally. What is this problem and how do I fix it?

There is nothing wrong with your car and you don't need to have it fixed. Take the following steps to prevent the problem. After driving through floodwater, reduce your speed to about 20kph. Make sure there are no cars close behind you or coming in the opposite direction. Step lightly on the accelerator as if to increase your speed, but lightly apply the brakes with your left foot at the same time. Keep a firm grip on the steering, and don't panic if the car veers to the left or right. You may have to apply the brakes in this fashion several times before they dry out and begin performing normally. Then you can resume your journey.

Occasionally, when I drive home on flooded roads, I find that next morning the car seems to have no driving power. I have to travel a short distance before it begins performing normally. What is happening?

I think that when you park the car at home, you also pull on the handbrake. Although you release the handbrake before driving out the next morning, the brake pads have fixed themselves against the brake disk. This would explain why your vehicle seems to have lost driving power. When you pull on the handbrake, the moist brake pads grasp the hot brake disk. They not only stick together, but they are also left like this all night, so that when the handbrake is released the next morning, they remain stuck together. After driving for a while, both the pads and the disk heat up and eventually break free from each other, allowing the car to perform normally.

To solve the problem, shift into reverse gear and drive out with a surge. This may produce a loud noise from around the back wheels, but don't worry. It's the sound of the brake pads coming unstuck from the brake disk.

Shortly after driving home through heavy rain, I find that there is moisture inside my vehicle's headlights. Occasionally, I find that the moisture is still there the next morning, but it is usually gone by midday. How does this happen and how do I prevent it happening?

The moisture enters the headlights through tiny holes that are provided to ventilate the interior of the headlights against a build-up of heat. To avoid this problem, turn on the headlights while driving in rain, so that the heat from the headlights prevents the formation of moisture. Turning on the headlights while driving in rain also helps to prevent accidents. I recommend this to all drivers. You should turn on the main low-beam lights, not just the sidelights and not the high-beam lights.

E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.