10 Tips for Driving in the Rain

Looks like we will be having some rain for the next few days. It is best to make sure that you are prepared before you hit those slippery roads. Here are some tips we found most helpful in this situation.

In stormy conditions, it is more difficult to see other vehicles, road signs and the road itself. It is critical to make sure you can see and be seen.

1. First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
2. Replace old or brittle wipers.
3. Check your tires on a regular basis. Bald tires significantly reduce your traction on wet roadways, and offer little resistance to hydroplaning. When your tires run over water, the water is displaced and it needs somewhere to go quickly. The best place is between the treads of your tires. If your tires are bald, the water has no place to go and you end up riding on a layer of water, like a boat.
4. Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
5. Stay at least 2 car lengths behind the vehicle driving ahead of you. The roads are more slippery while wet. If you have to make a sudden stop, you will have a less chance of bumping into the back of the cars in front of you.
6. Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights you still should put them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.
7. When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it's deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car's electrical system.
8. Avoid splashing pedestrians.
9. Rain or high humidity can quickly cause windows to mist up inside the car. In a car equipped with air conditioning, turn up the heat and direct the airflow to your defrosters with the AC switch engaged
10. Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.

Please keep these tips in mind and drive safely!

If you have any questions about servicing or scheduling an appointment for your vehicle, please feel free to Contact Us. We would be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions.

Mazda Show Room: 2012 MX-5 Miata

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	MX-5 Miata Exterior: Warning: Thrilling curves ahead- and we don't mean the road. The 2012 MX-5 Miata echoes the classic curves of its predecessor with a modern, seductive flair. Bold grille and front fascia, plus sculpted fenders, successfully give the 2012 Miata a muscular look. Smooth lines arch over the rear wheels, echoing the rear fascia and taillight design. Silver seatback bars leave a subtle, cool impression when viewed from the rear with the top down (standard on Sport with 6-speed Sport AT automatic transmission, Touring and Grand Touring). Learn More >>
	MX-5 Miata Interior: The cockpit of the 2012 MX-5 Miata was designed for one purpose- to make you feel at one with machine. Standard 6-way adjustable driver's seat with a height adjuster lets you find your perfect driving position. Premium, heated leather-trimmed seats with five heat settings deliver custom comfort, standard on the Grand Touring. Backlit, silver-trimmed tachometer, coolant temperature and oil pressure gauges, a nod to the MX-5 Miata's racing heritage, keep you in tune with the engine. Learn More >>
	MX-5 Miata Performance: With 20+ years of racing heritage, the MX-5 Miata is built to handle the rigors of the racetrack — and your daily commute. The 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine churns out 167 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque when paired with a manual transmission (5-speed on Sport, 6-speed on Touring and Grand Touring) Available 6-speed Sport automatic transmission includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters should you feel the urge for more control (available on Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) Variable valve timing and variable induction help give you strong low-end torque for excellent off-the-line acceleration without sacrificing horsepower Friction-reducing molybdenum-coated pistons and an ultra-light flywheel for an engine that’s quick to respond and eager to rev Limited-slip differential directs power to the wheel with the most traction, delivering the split-second response you’ll need during spirited driving (available on Touring and Grand Touring-- manual transmission only. Learn More >>
	MX-5 Miata Safety: Leaving nothing to chance, advanced front air bags* are standard on every MX-5 Miata. Advanced front air bags help provide driver and front passenger protection for head and chest* in a front-impact collision; the passenger air bag is deactivated if the seat is empty or a child’s weight is measured. A switch on the dash allows you to deactivate the passenger air bag when a child safety seat needed. Learn More >> * Always wear your seat belt and deactivate the passenger air bag when using a child- or infant-restraint system.