Spring Driving Tips
While spring is the beginning of the warm weather season, it is also the time for severe weather. From heavy rain to damaging hail, spring in Missouri has it all. We want to help keep you safe and on the road this season. Your Camdenton car dealership has a few pointer if you come across some severe weather while driving this spring.
Heavy Rain
- Avoid using cruise control. While cruise control can be helpful in dry conditions, once it starts raining, the chance of losing control increases. To prevent loss of traction, you may need to reduce the vehicle's speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be done while in cruise control.
- Slow down. Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car's chance of hydroplaning. When rain has accumulated on the roads, you should reduce your speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. In addition to slowing down, drivers should also avoid hard braking or sharp turns. Drivers should also try driving in the tracks of the vehicles ahead of them.
- Leave more room between cars. While it's also a good idea to leave room between you and the car ahead of you, it's even more important to do so when it's raining. If you're driving in heavy traffic while it's raining, try to avoid being boxed in by cars in the lanes on either side of you. That way, you have an easy out in case the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly.
Damaging Hail
- Get off the road. When hail begins to come down during your journey, it's best to get off the road completely than to pull over to the side. Hail can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, so when it begins, get off the road to avoid damaging your vehicle,
- Stay in your vehicle. Don't get out of your car during a hail storm. Hail falls at fast speeds, and it can cause injury to those in its path, just like it can damage a car. It's best to stay in your vehicle until the storm passes.
Strong Wind
- Be aware of larger vehicles. During heavy winds, be extra aware of larger vehicles like semi-trucks. They're more susceptible to high winds and they may have a harder time staying in their designated lane. During extremely strong winds, try keeping your distance from other vehicles.
- Keep a firm grip. Keep both hands on the wheel when the wind begins to pick up. If the wind is strong enough, it could begin moving your vehicle. When this happens, keep a firm grip on the wheel, especially if you're driving a larger vehicle.
- Look out for debris on the road. Twigs or small branches in the road could mean there's a tree or large branch coming up ahead. You also don't want to run over any debris, as it could cause damage to your vehicle.
Now that you know what to do if you come across rain, wind or hail, it's time to hit the road! While it's best to avoid driving in severe weather, don't let a rain shower or gusty winds keep you from your travels. However, if your car does become damaged due to the weather, our auto body shop at the Lake of the Ozarks can help! We can also set you up with a new set of tires to make it easier to drive in wet conditions, as the tread can help push water out of the way and help your vehicle make full contact with the pavement. To set up an appointment with Hulett's auto shop in Camdenton, MO, call us at 573-317-4189.
513 N. Business Route 5
Sales: 573.317.4191
Heavy Rain
- Avoid using cruise control. While cruise control can be helpful in dry conditions, once it starts raining, the chance of losing control increases. To prevent loss of traction, you may need to reduce the vehicle's speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be done while in cruise control.
- Slow down. Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car's chance of hydroplaning. When rain has accumulated on the roads, you should reduce your speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. In addition to slowing down, drivers should also avoid hard braking or sharp turns. Drivers should also try driving in the tracks of the vehicles ahead of them.
- Leave more room between cars. While it's also a good idea to leave room between you and the car ahead of you, it's even more important to do so when it's raining. If you're driving in heavy traffic while it's raining, try to avoid being boxed in by cars in the lanes on either side of you. That way, you have an easy out in case the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly.
- Get off the road. When hail begins to come down during your journey, it's best to get off the road completely than to pull over to the side. Hail can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, so when it begins, get off the road to avoid damaging your vehicle,
- Stay in your vehicle. Don't get out of your car during a hail storm. Hail falls at fast speeds, and it can cause injury to those in its path, just like it can damage a car. It's best to stay in your vehicle until the storm passes.
- Be aware of larger vehicles. During heavy winds, be extra aware of larger vehicles like semi-trucks. They're more susceptible to high winds and they may have a harder time staying in their designated lane. During extremely strong winds, try keeping your distance from other vehicles.
- Keep a firm grip. Keep both hands on the wheel when the wind begins to pick up. If the wind is strong enough, it could begin moving your vehicle. When this happens, keep a firm grip on the wheel, especially if you're driving a larger vehicle.
- Look out for debris on the road. Twigs or small branches in the road could mean there's a tree or large branch coming up ahead. You also don't want to run over any debris, as it could cause damage to your vehicle.
Now that you know what to do if you come across rain, wind or hail, it's time to hit the road! While it's best to avoid driving in severe weather, don't let a rain shower or gusty winds keep you from your travels. However, if your car does become damaged due to the weather, our auto body shop at the Lake of the Ozarks can help! We can also set you up with a new set of tires to make it easier to drive in wet conditions, as the tread can help push water out of the way and help your vehicle make full contact with the pavement. To set up an appointment with Hulett's auto shop in Camdenton, MO, call us at 573-317-4189.
That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service: 573.317.4195
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