How to Keep Your Car Safe from Extreme Weather

The Metro sure has been battered by bad weather lately. Torrential rains and flooding hit virtually everywhere, and as if that wasn’t not enough, a tornado ripped through parts of Manila and destroyed at least 300 homes and structures. The bad weather that plagued Metro Manila for almost two weeks can be attributed to the southwest monsoon, colloquially known as the ‘habagat,’ which was made worse by a low-pressure area outside of the country, according to PAGASA.

Metro Manila is no stranger to all sorts of extreme weather, which only adds to the Pinoy driver’s long list of car problems. Taking steps to protect your car from the weather’s harmful effects will not only keep your ride looking good, but will also prevent expensive repairs down the road. To protect your car from the elements, be sure to follow these handy tips:

How to protect your car in summer

Check your battery

The scorching summer heat can drain the power out of your car battery. To protect it from falling victim to Manila’s extreme summer temperatures, test your battery before you go out, and keep the terminals clean. That said, it’s important to perform these to tasks with some regularity, not just during the summer season.

Wash your car

Dust and dirt on your car’s surface can scratch and scrape the finish if left unattended. Washing your vehicle at least once a week can help prevent damage to its protective outer layer.

Find a shade

Parking in a shaded area will help keep your car cool so you won’t be welcomed by sizzling heat when you get back. If you have vinyl or leather upholstery, covered parking will save your skin from getting burned when you sit down.

Keep windows slightly open

If parking under the sun is unavoidable, leaving your windows just a few inches open can help keep your car’s cabin from turning into an oven. Direct sunlight can ‘cook’ your car’s interior and cause the fading and deterioration of its surfaces. Opening your windows for an inch or two while parked can provide your car with some necessary ventilation. Of course, you need to ensure the security of the parking area to prevent questionable characters from taking advantage of your slightly open windows.

How to protect your car from the rain

Keep your headlights on

Heavy rain can prevent others from seeing you clearly on the road. Keep your headlights on and drive slowly, while paying attention to oncoming traffic.

Prepare for a slow drive

When you know that you’ll be driving through heavy rain, allow for extra travel time. Driving through a downpour requires driving slow, and you’ll likely be facing a lot of traffic. By giving yourself some leeway, you can still manage to get to your destination on time.

Protect your car with wax

Automotive wax adds a protective layer on top of your paint to maintain your car’s glossy shine while protecting it from dirty rain water. For longer lasting shine and protection, it’s more preferable if you apply paste wax on your car, instead of the liquid variety.

Maintain your wiper blades

Replace your wiper blades at the end of every summer to ensure they’re ready to take on heavy showers. Use a clean dry cloth to remove dust from the blades. As much as possible, don’t turn your wipers on if your windshield is dirty or stained, as this can lead to scratches. Clean your windshield and wipers before you do so.

How to protect your car from flood waters

Steer clear of standing water

If you see standing water, go around it if you can. If not, choose a different route. Standing water can easily be concealing a deep hole that could immerse your engine in water and lead to costly damage. If going through standing water is unavoidable, proceed slowly and brake gently to avoid losing traction and control of the vehicle.

Know your area

If you live in a flood-prone area, make sure you know the local evacuation routes and always have plenty of fuel in the tank. It can also help to have a full fuel can handy in your garage at all times.

Protect your electrical system

If you find your car stuck in floodwater and unable to move it, immediately pop the hood open and remove the battery terminals. This will prevent an electric short from occurring. Of course, this means getting out of the car and getting wet, but this can be a temporary discomfort compared to how frustrating a damaged car electrical system can be.

Move up

Immediately transfer your vehicle to higher ground if the news says that a storm or heavy downpour is on the way. Malls and offices are good places to park a car. You may have to pay for parking, but that’s significantly cheaper than paying for repairs afterwards.

How to protect your car during a tornado

Be aware of your surroundings

Take not of where you are, and identify possible sources of dangers, such as trees or hanging objects. If the location doesn’t feel safe, move somewhere else.

Take shelter

To protect your vehicle from getting damaged by falling and flying objects, move into a covered parking lot or other covered structure.

Know where you’re going

If you’re using your vehicle for evacuation, plan your route carefully. Take note of roads where you can potentially get stalled by traffic or flooding. Have a full tank of gas, and be prepared with emergency supplies, such as flashlights, food, and blankets.