On rainy days the body of an electric vehicle is exposed and comes into direct contact with rainwater, and may even be driven through standing water, so its parts absorb moisture very easily and the vehicle can be seriously harmed. Prompt care for your vehicle is therefore essential. So what should you watch for when riding on a rainy day?

Check before setting out:

Wading through water takes a heavy toll on an electric vehicle and greatly raises the frequency of accidents. Therefore, before riding, it is best to check in advance whether the braking system, the lighting system, and the wheel system are in good condition. If any problem is found, do not set out carelessly.

1. Braking system: On rainy days the road surface is slippery, and tire grip and friction drop sharply, so skidding can easily occur. Check in advance that the brakes work perfectly.

2. Wheel system: On rainy days the ground is slippery. Before a trip, change the tires in time if needed; tires with drainage tread patterns are the best choice.

3. Lighting system: Visibility is poor when riding in the rain, especially at night. Before going out, make sure all the vehicle lights are complete and working. They will be used far more often in the rain and must not fail in the slightest.

Drive slowly in the rain:

1. Do not wade through water lightly. Where the flooding is severe, do not force your way through; try to detour. If you must cross, choose the shallower pavement, and keep the water depth no more than half the wheel height, since deeper water can easily trigger a string of problems such as a dead horn, failed brakes, and a controller that cannot work normally.

2. Tire care in the rain. Wet ground slips easily, so when going out, change the tires in time if needed, and tires with drainage tread patterns are best.

3. No hard braking on slippery roads. Keep your speed moderate while riding; when braking, be gentle, judge the road conditions early, and never brake suddenly. This keeps the wheels from skidding sideways out of control and injuring you.

4. Cover the vehicle when parking in rain. When parking an electric vehicle in rainy weather, cover it with a plastic sheet to protect the controller from getting wet.

Service promptly after the rain:

1. First, when servicing a bicycle after rain, never use sewing-machine oil. Sewing-machine oil is a thin lubricant; used on a bicycle, it dilutes and washes away the original grease and lowers its lubricating and anti-rust performance. Instead, wipe the vehicle with No. 30 machine oil or grease.

2. At the same time, wipe it with a clean fine flannel cloth or an old cotton garment. You can also take a few castor beans, shell them, wrap them in flannel, crush them, and rub the bicycle with them so the paintwork shines like new and the rims and spokes come up bright and rust-free.

3. If the bicycle chain rusts after the rain, first wipe off the rust spots with kitchen detergent, rinse the detergent away, and wash the chain in diesel fuel to restore it to its original condition.

In addition, when an electric vehicle is stored outdoors, take the battery out and keep it indoors. After the rain, do not switch on the power at once, because doing so may cause a short circuit. Before starting, wipe the battery and the connecting plug clean with a cloth or paper towel. If water has entered the motor, leave the vehicle in a ventilated place to dry, or dry it with a hair dryer.