Main image via Livemint
Sigh, one moment it’s scorching to a point where just thinking makes us sweat, the next it’s raining like someone tilted the ocean upside down.
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But like it or not, that’s just the way nature works. Also unfortunate is the fact that life doesn’t stop just because the sky is leaking. We still have chores to do, people to pick up, and places to get to. That’s okay, a little rain never hurt anyone right? Well, true, but not so much if you continue to maintain these dangerous driving habits when driving in the rain…
#1 Drive on autopilot
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We all do this whether we realise it or not. After numerous drives down the same road, we’ve probably memorised every turn, bend, bottleneck, and pothole well enough to drive with our brains switched off… which reduces our reaction time. This, of course, is absolutely dangerous when driving in the rain.
#2 Have your headlights on high beam
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It’s important to have your headlights turn on when driving in the rain—not necessarily to light up the road, but to let other drivers see you. Be sure not to have it on high beam as the glare might make it harder for the car ahead of you to see.
#3 Driving through deep streams of water
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No matter how modern your car is, it’s still not a vehicle designed to traverse through water. If you are unfortunate enough to be driving on a road that’s badly flooded, it’s best to just stop somewhere and wait for the water levels to recede.
#4 Drive like you’re in a hurry
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If you think driving fast—or even at your usual speed—is a good idea when it rains, then you’ll want to think again. Your tires could gain traction on the layer of water covering the road rather than the actual road itself. This is called hydroplaning, and it can result in loss of steering or braking. In fact, hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 56km/h, so be patient and drive slow!
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To further ensure you get to where you need to go safely every time and during any driving conditions, opt for MICHELIN Primacy 4 tyres!
Touting the slogan “Safe When New, Safe When Worn”, MICHELIN Primacy 4 tyres feature two breakthrough technologies that ensure long-lasting safety and excellent performance under all weather conditions through the whole lifetime of the tyre.
Using the EverGrip™ Technology, Primacy 4 tyres feature a squarer sculpt with less tapered grooves that increases its water evacuation space by 50%. Primacy 4 tyres are made with latest generation high-performance rubber compound that provides greater uniform energy dissipation upon contact with the road, resulting in better grip on wet roads even when worn.
Then there’s the 2nd Generation Silent Rib Technology comprising of inter-locking bands that help minimise the deformation of tread blocks, resulting in a quieter ride and providing better shock absorption.
The new MICHELIN Primacy 4 tyres come in 30 sizes, ranging from 15- to 18-inch diametre, and will be available at ‘TYREPLUS’ and Michelin authorised dealers across the nation starting this month onwards.
For more info, visit www.michelin.com.my.