Guides & Tips
Rainy Season Driving Tips: See, Slow, Space
By Richard Cuagdan, Mitsubishi Sales Executive ·
Quick answer: Rainy season driving tips, in short. In heavy rain, slow down, double your following distance, turn on your headlights (not hazards while moving), and avoid sudden steering or braking. If the car hydroplanes, ease off the gas and steer straight until the tires grip again. Before the rainy months, check wipers, tire tread and all lights.
Biglang buhos ng ulan sa Quirino Highway o sa NLEX? Rain changes everything: you see less, you're seen less, and your tires grip less. Remember three words: see, slow, space.
See and be seen
- Turn on your headlights when it rains, even in the daytime
- Don't drive with hazards on while moving; your turn signals won't be visible
- Use the AC and defogger to clear fogged glass quickly
- Keep the windshield clean inside and out; a dirty inside glass glares at night
Slow down and stay smooth
- Lower your speed: wet roads need longer stopping distances
- Avoid sudden braking, accelerating and steering
- The first minutes of rain are often the slipperiest, as oil and dust lift off the road
- Watch out for painted lane markings and steel plates, which get slippery
Give yourself space
Double your following distance. If you keep 3 seconds behind the car ahead in dry weather, make it 6 or more in heavy rain. Stay out of the spray of trucks and buses where you can't see.
If the car hydroplanes
Don't panic or brake hard
Sudden braking can make the skid worse.
Ease off the gas
Let the car slow down naturally.
Steer straight
Hold the wheel steady in the direction you want to go.
Wait for grip
Once you feel the tires bite again, continue slowly.
Pre-rain car check
- Wiper blades: no streaks or squeaks; washer fluid filled
- Tire tread and pressure: worn tires hydroplane sooner. See my tire care guide
- All lights working, including brake lights
- Brakes checked at PMS
- Payong and a towel in the car
When the rain turns into flooding, follow my flood rules and after-flood checklist, and keep an emergency kit in the trunk.
Related reading
- New Driver Tips Philippines: Your First Months Driving
- SJDM to Manila Commute: Daily Driving Tips
- Christmas Driving Safety Tips for Families
Your next step
Want more clearance for rainy days? Check your budget, then test drive the Xpander Cross or Destinator in SJDM.
Check what fits my budget Book a Test Drive Call or text 0954 291 1201
Questions muna? Call or text me, Richard, on 0954 291 1201, walang pressure. Richard Cuagdan, Mitsubishi SJDM, serving SJDM, Bulacan and Quezon City; message me for showroom visits and directions. Promo figures are for October 2026 on a 5-year term, all-in, subject to bank approval and change without notice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use hazard lights while driving in heavy rain?
Use your headlights while moving. Hazards are for when you're stopped or a hazard to others; using them while moving can confuse drivers about your signals.
What do I do if my car hydroplanes?
Don't brake hard or jerk the wheel. Ease off the accelerator, hold the steering straight, and let the tires regain grip.
How often should I replace wiper blades?
When they streak, skip or squeak. Many owners check them before the rainy season; heat can also harden the rubber.
How much following distance in rain?
At least double your dry-weather gap. A 3-second gap in dry weather becomes 6 seconds or more in heavy rain.