Have you been keeping an eye on Tropical Depression 9, now upgraded to Tropical Storm Hermine? It’s about to charge through Florida, and then it’ll be sweeping up the east coast, no doubt having an effect on the Charlotte area. Are you ready to take on nasty weather? Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help you prep – while it may not be a major hurricane, Tropical Storm Hermine definitely deserves a little preparation to make things easier on you!
Prep your car for Tropical Storm Hermine ahead of time
Right now, it looks like Hermine MAY make landfall as a hurricane in Florida, but weaken as it passes over land and by the time it hits us – probably between 1am Saturday and 1am Sunday – it’ll just be a whole mess of rains and high winds. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a little preparation. Here are our N Charlotte Toyota tips for tropical storms and rainy weather:
Fill up your gas tank NOW. Make sure your new Toyota near Charlotte has a full tank before nasty weather arrives; people usually panic right before a tropical storm or hurricane, and the gas stations become a mob scene. Avoid the lines by being proactive!
Check your tires, brakes, headlights, and wipers. Our N Charlotte Toyota service center can do this for you before the storm arrives; chances are, you’ll still be out and about when the weather gets here, so make sure your ride can handle it safely with the right tools.
Just in case you get a good deal of rain, think about where you might park your car. Higher ground is always a smart option, and covered parking is key if possible! If you can’t get your N Charlotte Toyota under cover, at least park it away from trees and power lines in case wind gusts send anything flying.
Use our N Charlotte Toyota tips for driving in the rain
You should also adjust the way you drive during heavy rain and wind gusts. Here are some defensive driving tips for rainy conditions from Toyota of N Charlotte:
Slow down – follow the speed limit and if visibility is poor, feel free to go even slower (just get in the right lane).
DO NOT drive with your hazards on in heavy rain – it’s illegal! Only use them if you pull your car over to the side of the road and park.
Turn on your headlights to make your car more visible to other drivers.
Don’t tailgate; leave extra space between you and other cars so you can stop quickly if need be (you may slide on wet roads, so extra space is important).
Try to stay away from big trucks; they usually are affected more by wind gusts and may be blown into your path, causing a collision.
Be safe this weekend, and if you want to visit the Toyota of N Charlotte service center to prep before the tropical storm arrives, call us today at (888) 378-1214!
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