Does Rain Affect Cars?

[DiJanelle]

Heavy rain can damage the car's exterior paint, ignition system, and air filter. The specific reasons are as follows: Damage to the car body: After a car is exposed to rain, water not only remains on the surface but also seeps into the gaps beneath the car. Damage to the paint: Rainwater in urban areas generally has high acidity, and the acidic components in the rain can severely corrode the car's paint, causing irreversible damage over time. Damage to the ignition system: While driving, the temperature inside the ignition system in the engine compartment rises accordingly. When encountering rainy weather, the cold air outside meets the hot air inside the engine compartment, causing condensation to form on the ignition system. If the condensation does not evaporate in time, it can affect the ignition system's operation, leading to difficulty in starting the car. Damage to the air filter: When rainwater enters the air filter, the damp filter element reduces the air filter's permeability, resulting in insufficient air intake for the engine. The most direct consequence is reduced engine performance, which in turn increases fuel consumption.

[StZoe]

Last time I drove in the rain, I noticed the wipers weren't cleaning properly. Later I learned that wiper rubber blades can age and crack with prolonged use. Rainwater forms a film on the windshield, especially when there's oil residue on the glass - the glare from streetlights becomes dangerously blinding. Fogging inside the car is another major issue that requires immediately turning on the AC defroster. After parking, extra caution is needed as rainwater can seep through door seal gaps, and accumulated water in door panels may cause mold over time. The chassis is particularly vulnerable to rust when constantly wet, especially at minor scratch spots where rainwater acts like slow poison corroding the steel. It's best to avoid parking under trees during rain - the mixture of tree sap and rainwater severely damages paint, making post-wash waxing essential.

[JosephFitz]

When it comes to rain damage to cars, electrical circuit hazards are most easily overlooked. The trickiest issue I've encountered was clogged sunroof drainage holes, where rainwater backflowed into the headliner and short-circuited the dome light. Water ingress in door limiters causes squeaky noises and eventually leads to rust and jamming. Splashes from wheels can easily dampen electronic modules in the chassis, especially in older vehicles - oxidized ABS sensor connectors may trigger random warning lights. The most troublesome are hybrid vehicles, whose battery pack cooling vents are located underneath - extreme caution is needed when wading through water. After heavy rains, I always inspect engine bay wiring harness connectors as routine; last time I found two pins growing green corrosion in the fuse box.

[DiRebecca]

Safety is the top priority when driving in the rain. Tires with tread depth below 3mm are particularly prone to skidding. Last rainy season, I couldn't stop in time before a crosswalk due to worn-out tires. Water droplets on side mirrors can obscure electric bikes in adjacent lanes, so I now apply water repellent spray in advance. Don't recklessly charge through deep water—the air intake for most family cars is near the front logo, and if the water level exceeds half the wheel height, it's not worth the risk. Once, after crossing a puddle, I noticed steering wheel vibration and found it was caused by water on the brake pads leading to uneven braking. In rainy conditions, fog lights are more effective than hazard lights—the yellow light truly has superior penetration.