Ford PH shares 4 safety tips for drivers braving the rainy season

Ford Philippines has shared four tips to help drivers stay safe while on the road this rainy season.

And while car manufacturers like Ford strive to equip their vehicles with relevant safety features, road conditions like floods, slippery roads, and reduced driver visibility can make braving the rainy weather a bit more challenging.

On that note, giving this short list a quick read before you head out this wet season could help drivers safely reach their destination.

Check wipers

Despite its simple and humble appearance, windshield wipers are one of the most useful parts of your vehicle — especially when it’s raining.

On that note, Ford Philippines reminds drivers to always check their wipers and remove any debris that could potentially scratch their windshields before they leave. Additionally, it would be best to check the condition of the wiper blades and replace them if necessary.

And while we’re on the topic of wipers, select variants of the next-generation Ford Ranger and Everest are equipped with rain-sensing wipers that automatically turn on as soon as it drizzles on the road, making it less complicated to turn on wipers during the rainy weather.

Check your headlights

Visibility is key when driving at night or when you’re caught up in the rain. That said, it’s important to make sure your headlights are properly working as it will help you see better in the rain, plus, it will help other drivers see you too.

That’s why Ford equips its vehicles — such as select Ranger and Everest variants — with LED headlamps paired with C-Clamp daytime running lights as well as LED foglamps.

Also, vehicle cameras can help improve driver visibility, especially in blind spots.

The next-generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4x4, next-generation Ranger Raptor, and next-generation Everest Titanium+ 4x4, for example, are fitted with a 360-degree camera that can help drivers see all angles of the vehicle, especially during challenging weather conditions.

Know your vehicle’s water-wading capability

Should drivers be faced with the difficult choice of crossing flooded thoroughfares, knowing their vehicle’s water-wading capability plays a vital role. Not only will they know when and when not to take on submerged streets but it will also give them the confidence to overcome challenges that lay ahead this rainy season.

Speaking of water-wading capabilities, the Ford Ranger and Everest are able to conquer 800 millimeters (mm) of water while the Ranger Raptor can do more with a water-wading depth of 850mm.

When driving in flooded areas, Ford Philippines advises drivers to take the center of the road where the flood usually tends to be the shallowest and drive in low gear to minimize the water from entering the engine and avoid damage to the electrical parts of the vehicle.

Drive slow

When driving on wet roads, slow and steady is the way to go as traction and maneuverability are reduced when it rains and when the road is wet.

So, Ford Philippines urges vehicle owners to check their tires before they head out. Likewise, check if the thread depth is good for whatever road conditions they may encounter.

For Ford vehicle owners, they can check their vehicle’s drive modes which can further help stability. The “Slippery” drive mode on select variants of the Ranger and Everest, for example, can be utilized as it allows the vehicles to optimize the engine and transmission to reduce wheel spin while the traction control delivers better grip.

Photos from Ford Philippines

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