Dealing with Aggressive Weather: RSA Tips for Heavy Rain, Haze, and Heat | MyMechanic

Heavy rain: low grip, low visibility

• Stabilise early: ease off, signal, and drift left before wipers can’t keep up; avoid sudden braking on standing water.
• Be a lighthouse: hazards on, fog lamps only if helpful without glare; place triangle well back on a straight line of sight, not in pooled water.
• Doors on the safe side: use left‑side doors only; if rain is intense, stay belted with hazards on until it eases or help arrives.
• If aquaplaning or a wheel hit caused vibration, don’t jack on a waterlogged shoulder—request help or a tow to a drier lay‑by or R&R.

Haze: poor air, poor depth perception

• Slow the scene: hazards and low beams define the car; avoid high beams that reflect and worsen glare.
• Cab air: set recirculate with A/C filtering; keep windows up to limit particulate exposure for kids or elderly.
• Triangle farther back so drivers recognise shape/lights through haze; pick a point visible both directions if possible.
• Communication tweak: mention “low visibility” in the first line so responders approach with caution.

Heat: fast fatigue, faster battery/cooling issues

• Shade and airflow: choose partial shade if safe; hazards on, crack a safe‑side window to release cabin heat.
• Cooling strain: if temp creeps up, A/C off and cabin heat to hot; wait—do not open the radiator cap.
• Battery stress: after a hot soak, avoid repeated cranks; one clean jump attempt is fine if no swelling/venting, otherwise request a tow.

One‑line scripts that cut noise

• Location: “Highway [name], KM [_].[], [northbound/southbound], near [Exit/R&R/Toll].”
• Vehicle: “SG plate [____], [make/model], [colour].”
• Problem: “Heavy rain—unsafe to jack,” “Haze—low visibility,” or “Heat—temp rising/battery no start.”
• Safety: “Passengers safe. Triangle placed.”

Photo checklist for faster dispatch

• Scene+sign: wide shot with triangle and nearest KM marker or landmark sign.
• Dashboard: warning lights, temperature, fuel.
• Issue close‑up: tyre damage, visible leak, battery terminals, or coolant reservoir (only if safe).
• Paper trail if towing: job card and tow truck plate before key handover.

Do’s and don’ts by weather

• Rain do’s: steady inputs, triangle before bends/crests, tools on safe side and kept dry.
• Rain don’ts: don’t kneel in pooled water near a live lane; avoid high beams in heavy spray.
• Haze do’s: recirculation on, steady speed, lights low and constant.
• Haze don’ts: don’t walk far from the vehicle—depth perception is poor.
• Heat do’s: reduce electrical load, cool cabin gradually, check terminal tightness.
• Heat don’ts: don’t jump a swollen/leaking battery; don’t open a hot cooling system.

Families, kids, and pets

• Rain/haze: if a barrier is nearby and calm, wait behind it with one adult; otherwise, stay belted with hazards on.
• Heat: hydration sips, light airflow, and shade; never leave children or pets in a sealed cabin.
• Keep a small “calm kit”: water pouches, wipes, thin blanket, spare leash, compact first‑aid pouch.

When to skip DIY and tow now

• Triangle won’t stay visible due to rain/haze and the shoulder is narrow.
• Temp rises rapidly, steam appears, or battery is swollen/venting.
• Night‑time heavy rain or haze reduces visibility to a few car lengths.
• Any in‑lane stall that can’t be pushed safely to the shoulder.

Smart prep before the trip

• Wipers and washer: fresh blades and full fluid.
• Tyres: healthy tread and proper pressure matter more in rain and heat.
• Cooling/battery: quick visual check of coolant reservoir and secure terminals.
• Pack basics: reflective vest, triangle, headlamp, gloves, wipes, water, compact inflator/sealant, and a jack board.

How MyMechanic helps in aggressive weather

• Weather‑aware coordination: prompts tailored to rain, haze, or heat so teams approach safely with the right gear.
• Right tool, first try: symptom‑led triage to send jump‑start, tyre help, or tow without guesswork.
• End‑to‑end clarity: updates from dispatch to workshop handover, with simple guidance while waiting in poor conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions