Raining Today
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 68
From: Woodland Hills California
Raining Today
Well, it started raining here in Los Angeles on my way into work. Of course, the first drops to hit the windshield brought on a wave of panic and dispair. What should I do? Pull over to the side, emergency flashers on, and call AAA to tow the car home? Get off the freeway, find the nearest covered parking garage, and take a taxi to work (or maybe the bus)? All the doom and gloom predictions posted on the forum about driving your "baby" in inclement weather had me so nervous I could hardly stand it. So, I took a few deep breaths and kept saying to myself "I have driven many cars in the rain and both the car and me were just fine." So, I slowed a bit and increased the distance between others and me. I carefully observed what was happening and here is what I learned:
1. The car did not melt away
2. The car did not suddenly spin out of control
3. The wipers kept the windshield clear and visible
4. The paint wasn't damaged (though still has orangepeel!!)
5. The engine kept running
6. The wheels did not fall off
7. The dash did not display some message like "Its raining. Stop the car immediatly or else many bad things will happen. You have been warned."
Bottom line - car did just fine.
John
1. The car did not melt away
2. The car did not suddenly spin out of control
3. The wipers kept the windshield clear and visible
4. The paint wasn't damaged (though still has orangepeel!!)
5. The engine kept running
6. The wheels did not fall off
7. The dash did not display some message like "Its raining. Stop the car immediatly or else many bad things will happen. You have been warned."
Bottom line - car did just fine.
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita California
I have a Mustang that I drive on days like today. I took the Mustang today and only got a couple of drops. I was thinking, hey I could have made it in the Vette. The Mustang only lost traction once when I hit a wet spot up a hill in 2nd gear. I'm sure we'll get some rain on the way home too.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
I've never been able to understand the issues with driving in "weather". Sure we all want to drop the top and get sunburn but things change. I've driven in everything from sun to snow. These cars perform fantastic if you drive them for the weather. Run flats don't like snow but you can get where you are going without that much problem. In 40 years, a Corvette has never left me stranded and the ride has always been fun!
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,698
From: Converse TX
Mine is a DD and on the first day home from Bowling Green it rained all the way to Memphis where we stayed the evening and the new Vette did great and has been in the rain a few times again and no issues at all
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino CA
The rain came early yesterday and when I got home, I wiped it down and covered it in the garage and will drive my SUV for a few days until the weather clears. It's my DD but only with decent weather. This was the first time that it has been in the rain. (But it did allow me to test the windshield wipers. It took me a minute to figure out how they worked.)
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 34
From: Monument CO
DD here, what a waste to drive it only on sunny days
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Azusa Ca.
LOL....It was raining by the foothills as well in Los Angeles this morning. Funny thing is I didnt even know until I opened the garage 
Vette FOB on my hand and looked outside......and said NO. Went back inside and grab the van key and left my baby nice and dry inside
Of course, I didnt leave witout saying goodbye to her
I actually use the vette as a daily driver but did not take her out today as I just waxed her last week and dont feel like washing her again this weekend. It's ok though, I have a nice desktop picture of her at work
Thanks,
Mike
Vette FOB on my hand and looked outside......and said NO. Went back inside and grab the van key and left my baby nice and dry inside Of course, I didnt leave witout saying goodbye to her
I actually use the vette as a daily driver but did not take her out today as I just waxed her last week and dont feel like washing her again this weekend. It's ok though, I have a nice desktop picture of her at work
Thanks,
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Well, it started raining here in Los Angeles on my way into work. Of course, the first drops to hit the windshield brought on a wave of panic and dispair. What should I do? Pull over to the side, emergency flashers on, and call AAA to tow the car home? Get off the freeway, find the nearest covered parking garage, and take a taxi to work (or maybe the bus)? All the doom and gloom predictions posted on the forum about driving your "baby" in inclement weather had me so nervous I could hardly stand it. So, I took a few deep breaths and kept saying to myself "I have driven many cars in the rain and both the car and me were just fine." So, I slowed a bit and increased the distance between others and me. I carefully observed what was happening and here is what I learned:
1. The car did not melt away
2. The car did not suddenly spin out of control
3. The wipers kept the windshield clear and visible
4. The paint wasn't damaged (though still has orangepeel!!)
5. The engine kept running
6. The wheels did not fall off
7. The dash did not display some message like "Its raining. Stop the car immediatly or else many bad things will happen. You have been warned."
Bottom line - car did just fine.
John
1. The car did not melt away
2. The car did not suddenly spin out of control
3. The wipers kept the windshield clear and visible
4. The paint wasn't damaged (though still has orangepeel!!)
5. The engine kept running
6. The wheels did not fall off
7. The dash did not display some message like "Its raining. Stop the car immediatly or else many bad things will happen. You have been warned."
Bottom line - car did just fine.
John
