Are there some sort of riding tips in wet for owners of electric vehicles such as electric cars, e-scooters, e-bikes, and self-balancing scooters? Well, driving safety tips should apply to all types and classes of land vehicles, may they be battery-powered or fuel-powered. Regardless of the vehicle they are driving, all motorists share the same road, therefore each one should obey traffic rules and use common sense when out on the road to ensure the safety of both fellow motorists and pedestrians. But seriously, riding tips in wet for those who drive electric vehicles?
Bring extra batteries
Since electric vehicles are still hampered by limited range, the most practical tip would be to bring an extra battery when going out in the rain or else risk getting stuck in wet weather, a disaster for fully electric cars but not for the plug-in hybrids. It will not be enough to just fully charge your electric car, e-bike, or e-scooter. Vehicle issues choose no weather to strike, so you need to put in twice the preparation. Preparation should come first in the list of riding tips in wet for electric vehicles.
Try to avoid rain as much as possible
What about electric kick scooters and self-balancing e-scooters? But who would in their right minds operate such a device in a rain? Electric scooter manufacturer Razor advise their customers not to use their e-scooters in wet weather nor immerse their unit in water. The electrical and drive train components could get damaged by water. Furthermore, Razor reminds customers not to drive their device over ice, mud, or puddles of water. Whatever riding tips in wet there may be for electric kick scooters, they are all summed up in just one word: don’t.
Use waterproof covering if there are any
What about self-balancing e-scooters? Are there any riding tips in wet for hoverboard users? One website does advice users not to use their hoverboards in wet or rainy conditions and to avoid puddles. But what about the claims that these smart electric scooters are waterproof? Some units do come with a waterproof protection case or the case is purchased separately. So if you are to operate your self-balancing electric scooter in wet condition, install a waterproof case for your device. As what the other riding tips in wet will state, always ride with the right gear.
But are not hoverboards supposed to be waterproof, given the need for such feature in almost all kinds of digital devices or consumer electronics? No waterproof case would be required at all as built-in waterproof protection is a great necessity. Well, there are some brands that are rated IP54, meaning they have certified protection against water splashes. IP54 rated self-balancing e-scooters can operate through mild puddles and handle a bit of water splashing – before they malfunction. Malfunction? If so, then don’t, to sum up all riding tips in wet in one word.
Know your scooter’s waterproof capabilities
Self-balancing electric scooters, like watches and digital cameras, have different waterproof capabilities. Some watches or cameras can shrug off a couple of splashes while other models can survive up to 30 feet underwater without any waterproof casing. This is the same thing with ‘waterproof’ hoverboards: Your device can take a few splashes, but it cannot wade in water. If you care about the usability of your hoverboard, then don’t, to sum up all riding tips in wet.
Whether it is a hoverboard, electric kick scooter, or power wheelchair, your device has a battery and an electric motor, plus wires and other electrical components. As you should know, electricity and water do not – and should not – mix. Your hoverboard or e-scooter is like any other type of equipment that you can use outdoors, but should not get wet. Care is the essence of all riding tips in wet for all types and classes of vehicles.
Always watch out for the weather
It is not a good idea to expose your device to more than just a few drops of water. So when it is wet outside, you should not go out yet. Wait till the weather gets better and the ground is dry. When you think it is going to raid, it is probably time to head home with your e-scooter or hoverboard. For riding tips in wet to work, users should learn how and when to use their common sense.
Of course, any driver or user would not want to drive in wet or rainy condition because the wet surfaces make traction worse and make roads accident-prone. Thousands of road accidents each year are caused by wet or slippery driving conditions. In rainy seasons, accidents can happen in a rush. It is no secret that the streets get busier and the roads become slippery as more motorists want to avoid the rain. Your brakes are less effective, the windscreen becomes foggy, and you can hardly see the road ahead. The best course of action is not to go out, to sum all riding tips in wet.
But if you cannot avoid going out, then care and caution would be the primary essences of all riding tips in wet for electric vehicles. Riding in wet conditions is a great experience for all motorists, provided they keep their focus on the road. To avoid trouble (and to make it home safely afterward), here are some riding tips in wet for electric vehicles:
- The first of all driving tips in wet: Check your vehicle. Make sure the headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, fog lights, and horn are working so other motorists are able to see and hear you during the rain. Check all tires’ pressure, including spare. Make sure your windshield wiper can clear the glass in a single swipe.
- Fully charge beforehand. If you are driving a fully electric car, ready an extra battery. If it is a plug-in hybrid, get a full tank to go along with a full battery, and make sure the tank does not leak.
- Driving an electric motorcycle or e-scooter (not the kick stand or self-balancing variety)? Wear the appropriate rain gear to keep yourself dry and warm. Riding tips in wet also including suiting yourself up for comfort.
- Protect your vision. Make sure your visor repels water and does not fog. Adjust your helmet vents to allow airflow around the visor to prevent fogging. If you are wearing eyeglasses, apply an anti-fog solution. Without clear vision, riding tips in wet will be irrelevant.
- Slow down. In rainy or wet conditions, your tires lose traction with the wet ground, and the friction is reduced between your tires and the road. Reduce your speed by about a third. For example, if the speed limit is 55 mph, speed up under 40 mph. This is perhaps the most important of all riding tips in wet.
- Increase your distance. As it is harder to stop or adjust in rainy or wet condition, you might risk hitting the vehicle ahead of you. Do not follow vehicles, especially large ones, ahead of you too closely.
- Drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you.
- Do not forget to turn your headlights even if it is just a light rain. As for your fog lights, use them only in case of poor visibility.
- Avoid cruise control as they are unreliable in rainy or wet conditions. Using it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Do not slam on the brakes, or else you risk losing control of your vehicle. If you feel your vehicle begin to skid, remain calm. Accelerate and steer smoothly in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go. Then apply steady pressure on the brake.
- Keep your eyes on the road. Watch out for water on the road. Slow down when you come across water.
- Do not splash pedestrians.
These riding tips in wet for electric vehicles should help you how to operate safely in rainy and wet conditions. You will encounter rain and you may need to go out in the wet at times. It is how you deal with the rain or wet condition that will make the difference. Safety is the key meaning of riding tips in wet.
