Although winter roadways in Hawaii aren’t covered in ice and compacted snow, driving conditions can still be dangerous. With heavy rainfall throughout the season, it’s possible to hydroplane on wet roads and spin out. Being a defensive driver and visiting an auto mechanic for the following tuneups will help prevent dangerous crashes. 

3 Auto Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Rainy Weather

1. Replace Worn Tires

When the road is wet, deep grooves in your tires’ tread displace water as you drive. Pushing puddles out of the way provides better traction to keep rubber gripped to the road. When the tread is too worn, it can’t force water aside. At speeds as low as 35 mph, the car could hydroplane—gliding on top of the water.  

To check the tread depth, place a penny in a tire groove, with Lincoln’s head in first. If hair or parts of the head are visible, the tread is too worn for safe driving. Have an auto mechanic swap out the tires with a new set.   

2. Change Brake Pads & Fluid

Driving with old brake pads compromises your ability to respond quickly. Due to uneven pad wear, you’ll feel resistance in the steering wheel as it pulls to the side when pressure is applied to the brake pedal. While braking on slick roads, the car could veer and slide into another lane.

When brake liquid is contaminated with particles, its boiling point is reduced. This affects brake pedal resistance, increasing the risk of an accident. 

When an auto mechanic replaces worn pads, they can flush dirty fluids too. 

3. Treat the Windshield Glass & Replace Blades

If windshield wipers are warped or torn, they won’t slide against the surface evenly. This will leave streaks on the auto glass that reduce visibility.

In addition to changing worn wipers, ask an auto mechanic to coat the exterior glass in a water-repellent solution. It will seal off any microscopic flaws in glass to keep water from beading on the surface. 

For these car tuneup services or additional work to improve your ride, contact the ASE®-certified, fully insured auto mechanics at A-1 Auto A/C Specialist & General Auto Repair. Based in Honolulu, HI, the auto repair shop has a safety check station, allowing the team to diagnose and remedy any issue affecting vehicle performance. Learn more about the work they perform online. For an appointment, call (808) 836-2939.