Is the driving resistance greater or smaller in rainy weather?
2 Answers
When driving in rainy weather, the resistance is smaller. Here is the relevant introduction: What is resistance: Resistance is the force generated by friction, determined by the coefficient of friction and the mass of the object. When driving in the rain, the rainwater on the road acts as a "lubricant" between the road and the tires, reducing the coefficient of friction, thus decreasing the driving resistance. The reason why accidents are more likely to occur when driving in the rain is because the reduced driving resistance can lead to skidding. Precautions for driving in the rain: Control your speed. Since the driving resistance is reduced in rainy weather, driving too fast can easily cause skidding. Therefore, the speed should be controlled within 40-60 km/h, and you should drive slowly and cautiously. Maintain a safe distance. The braking distance on wet roads is three times that on dry roads. The distance between vehicles should be kept at 10-20 meters, and you should always observe the distance between the front and rear vehicles to increase the safety margin. Prevent tire side-slip when driving on curves: The rainwater on the road acts as a "lubricant" between the road and the tires, reducing tire friction and making side-slip more likely. When turning, avoid sudden braking or sharp steering. Instead, use "pump braking" to decelerate in a straight line before entering the curve. Turn on the windshield wipers promptly. In rainy weather, use the windshield wipers to maintain good visibility. Additionally, turn on the low beams, fog lights, and contour lights, and pay attention to pedestrians, slowing down as necessary. Reduce fogging. The windshield is prone to fogging up in rainy weather, obstructing visibility. To reduce fogging, turn on the air conditioner and direct the airflow toward the windshield.
I do feel that driving resistance increases noticeably on rainy days, especially at high speeds or during heavy downpours. Once when driving home from work in a torrential rainstorm, my car felt like it was stuck to the road—I had to press the accelerator deeper than usual just to maintain speed. This is likely because rainwater makes the road surface slippery, reducing friction between the tires and the road. Additionally, the higher moisture content in the air slightly increases wind resistance, making the car work harder. Operating the windshield wipers also drains battery power, indirectly adding to the load. I recommend driving slower in the rain and maintaining a greater following distance to avoid skidding. Regularly checking tire wear and pressure is crucial, as worn tires lose traction more easily on wet roads. Above all, safety comes first—don’t rush and take unnecessary risks.
