Kia Picanto: Special driving conditions / Driving in the rain. Driving in flooded areas

Driving in the rain

Rain makes road surfaces slippery and can reduce visibility at the same time. Preparing your Kia Picanto for wet conditions and adjusting your driving accordingly will help you respond to these hazards:

• Slow down in heavy rain. Reduced visibility makes hazards harder to spot, while wet roads increase the distance required to stop.

• Keep the windscreen wipers in good working order. Replace the blades when they leave streaks or fail to clear parts of the glass, as these signs indicate that wiping performance has deteriorated.

• Check that the tyres are in good condition. Worn or otherwise poor-condition tyres can lose grip during a sudden stop on wet pavement, causing a skid and potentially an accident.

• Switch on the headlights so that other road users can see your vehicle more easily through the rain.

• Passing through large puddles too quickly can affect brake performance. If a puddle cannot be avoided safely, drive through it slowly rather than entering at speed.

• If you suspect that the brakes have become wet, apply them lightly while driving, when it is safe to do so, until normal braking response returns.

Driving in flooded areas

Avoid flooded roads unless you are certain that the water is no higher than the bottom of the wheel hub. If you proceed through water, drive slowly and leave ample room to stop. Brake performance may be reduced after contact with water, so do not expect the same stopping response as in dry conditions.

After leaving the water, dry the brakes by applying them gently several times while the vehicle moves slowly. Carry out these applications only where traffic conditions allow you to do so safely.