Category: Suzuki Philippines

Suzuki Philippines shares tips on how to stay safe when wet-weather driving.

For the past weeks, Metro Manila and nearby provinces experienced heavy rains that flooded major thoroughfares and submerged some vehicles. Floods pose danger to health and properties but damage to vehicles can be lessened, if not avoided, if proper preparation is made.

Suzuki Philippines, the only integrated motorcycle and automobile in the country, shares tips on how best to avoid damage to vehicles during the rainy season.

Assess the situation

Postpone going out in rough weather if there is a huge chance of flooding. If you cannot avoid it, know the terrain. Listen to the news or research the Internet. Find out if your destination is prone to flooding or not. Never drive through flood that is above the center of your tires as this will cause huge damage and can put you in danger if the flood gets deeper.

“If the vehicle gets submerged, immediately remove the battery terminal (positive and negative) to prevent damage to the ECU (Engine Control Unit) which serves as the “brain” of the vehicle”, Suzuki Philippines’ Service Supervisor Randy Santos said.

Move out

“If a motorist is trapped in a flood, he/she must get out of the unit and get to safety. Find higher ground away from the flood,” Santos shared.

Check your vehicle’s condition

Prior to any journey, all motorists should check their headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals are working properly. “Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls – steering, clutch, brake and accelerator – and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in the rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine,” he added.

All cars are suitable for the rainy season, but not all tires are. Motorists must check the condition of their tires before going on the road. Pressure of the tires must be checked and adjusted once a week or after a long travel.

Under inflation has immediate effects on vehicle handling (as well as fuel consumption), but its potential impact on overall safety and tire life are even greater. It results in premature and uneven tread wear on the outer edges. Under inflation also increases stress on the tire itself, through flexing and overheating, which can lead to structural failures such as tread separation.

Motorists should look for excessive or uneven tread wear in the tire, cracks, or bulges on the sidewalls or tread, chunking of the tread or any indication of tread separation, and signs of puncture, or nails, screws, glass, pieces of stone or any foreign object embedded in the tire to avoid any danger.  If any of these conditions are identified, motorists should immediately go to a tire specialist to have their tires checked.

Suzuki stressed that motorists should always take care of their vehicles whether it’s rainy or summer season.  ”Vehicles can achieve their highest performance if they are properly maintained and taken care of. It is important to visit automobile specialists for proper check up and maintenance of vehicles to ensure the motorists’ safety on the road, whatever the weather may be,” Santos said.

For more information about Suzuki Philippines and their services, please visit http://www.suzuki.com.ph/