How to Get Your Car Ready for a Wet El Niño Winter in Seaside, CA
The short answer: check your wipers, tires, brakes, battery, lights, and defroster before the storms show up. NOAA says a strong El Niño is likely this winter. That often brings heavier storms to California. A quick check now keeps you safer on wet roads around the Monterey Peninsula.
What is NOAA saying about this winter?
On October 8, 2026, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center put the odds of a strong or stronger El Niño through January to March 2027 at over 83 percent. NOAA says this event might rank among the strongest on record. Read the full update in the NOAA ENSO Diagnostic Discussion.
NOAA also says wet impacts are likely but not guaranteed. Nobody knows exactly how much rain Seaside will get. Still, strong El Niño winters have often meant more storms for California. Getting ready early costs you little and saves you stress later.
Are your wipers ready for a downpour?
Wipers are the first thing you notice in a storm. Rubber dries out and cracks in our coastal sun and salt air. Worn blades streak, skip, or chatter across the glass.
Run your wipers with washer fluid this week. If they leave streaks or miss spots, replace them. Top off your washer fluid too. Road spray in a storm turns your windshield gray fast.
Do your tires have enough tread for wet roads?
Tread moves water out from under your tires. When tread gets low, your tires ride on top of the water instead of gripping the road. That is hydroplaning.
Look at your tread and check for uneven wear. Check your tire pressure once a month, since low pressure hurts grip and handling. Our technicians measure tread on every inspection and show you photos, so you see what we see.
How do you avoid hydroplaning?
Good tires come first. After that, your driving matters. Slow down when roads are wet, especially in the first rain after a dry spell, when oil rises to the surface. Leave more space behind the car ahead. Avoid cruise control in heavy rain.
If your car starts to hydroplane, ease off the gas. Hold the wheel steady and steer where you want to go. Don't slam the brakes.
Will your brakes stop you on wet pavement?
Wet roads add stopping distance. Worn pads, thin rotors, or old brake fluid add even more. Watch for squealing, grinding, a soft pedal, or a pull to one side. If you notice any of these, have your brakes checked before the next storm.
Is your battery ready for cold, damp mornings?
Damp weather and short trips are hard on an older battery. Wipers, lights, the defroster, and the heater all run at once in a storm. A weak battery shows up as a slow start. We test batteries during inspections, so you know where yours stands before it leaves you stuck in a parking lot.
Will other drivers see you in the rain?
Storms bring early darkness and low visibility. Walk around your car with the lights on. Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazards. Cloudy or yellow headlight lenses cut your view at night. Turn your headlights on whenever your wipers are on.
Why do your windows fog up, and how do you fix it?
Rain and cool air fog your windows from the inside. Your defroster and AC work together to clear the glass. The AC pulls moisture out of the air, even with the heat on. If your windows stay foggy, or your AC blows warm, get it looked at. Clear glass is a safety issue, not a comfort issue.
What does a Wayside Garage inspection include?
Our technicians check your car and send you a digital inspection with photos. You see your wipers, tires, brakes, battery, and lights for yourself. We explain what's urgent, what is fine to wait on, and what looks good. You decide what to do. No pressure.
That's how we've always run our shop. We're family-owned, and we treat your car the way we'd treat our own family's car. Our repairs come with a 36-month/36,000-mile nationwide warranty, so you're covered even on a holiday road trip.
Ready to get your car ready for winter?
Call either of our two Seaside shops or book online. Visit us at 2003 Del Monte Blvd or 1020 Ord Grove Ave. We're open Monday through Friday and closed Saturdays. Book this week and get ahead of the first big storm.
