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Monsoon: Top 10 Car Tips

Monsoon has officially arrived in most parts of the country. Rainy season brings along a series of challenges for you and your vehicle. Ideally you should prepare yourself and your car for the same, if you don’t want to be caught off guard. Here is a checklist of things that can help you have a niggle free monsoon.

Atul Bandhu

Updated Jul 3, 2022, 19:25 IST

Participant wading through water with his SUV in RFC India

DIY

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Wiper fluid - If you think you don’t need wiper fluid during monsoon you are wrong. It is as important as the wiper blades. Never skip this, when the rain stops there is a lot of dirt that can get accumulated on your windshield and you don’t want to be low on wiper fluid at that time. Not only should you fill it up but you must top it off every now and then to never have a situation where you have a dry wiper fluid tank.

Drain holes - There are several drain holes in your car for water to drain. For example there are drain holes at the bottom of your door, clear them of any debris. If water gets accumulated in your car it can lead to all sorts of problems like electrical failures, corrosion etc. It is always a good idea to keep all the drain holes clean.

Underbody wash - The underbody of the car picks up considerable amounts of dirt during rains. This dirt sticks to the underbody of the car which adds to the weight of the car this can result in reduction in fuel efficiency and can cause corrosion if left unattended for longer duration.

Rubber Seals- The rubber seals in your car doors, boot and sunroof can go bad. Keep a close eye on water seeping into the car’s cabin or boot which could cause damage and odour in your car. If you feel any strong odour or dampness in your car, attend to the issue at the earliest.

Engine bay - You might be tempted to get your engine bay washed as dirt might have accumulated over there as well. This is a big NO you should never get your engine bay washed or pressure washed. Water and electronics don't mix. Your car today is a very sophisticated piece of machinery which has several electronic components, sensors and computers. Also if water enters your air filter from where it can make its way to the inside of your engine then it's over, you can end up with a seized engine. This innocent mistake can leave you with a hefty repair bill. Avoid this and if you still have an OCD about a clean engine bay then go for a steam wash instead.

Tyres - Check your tryes for tread before you head out with your car in the rain. Tyres are your only point of contact between the car and the road. They should always be in top shape. Water reduces the friction between the tyre and the road and if you already have worn out tyres then the situation can go from bad to worse in no time. You can spin out, lose control of the car within fractions on a wet surface.

Air Conditioning system - We all have evened up with fogged windows and windshields during monsoon but can it be avoided? Yes you can avoid getting fog on the glass of your car by simply regulating the temperature of your car. All you have to do is match the inside and outside temperature of the car. You might be tempted to turn your aircon to its lowest setting in this humid weather but it is advisable to match the outside temperature to avoid getting into this situation. If you still end up in this situation, use your windshield defogger as soon as you notice that the glasses are starting to get fogged up. If you have condensation on the outside of your windshield you can use your wipers to clear it as often as required.

Emergency Kit - The amount of rainfall varies in different parts of the country but we have witnessed that there have been traffic jams that have lasted days in places like Mumbai. There have also been instances of 12 hrs- 1 day long traffic jams on roads near famous tourist destinations. For monsoon, always have an emergency kit for any unforeseen situation. This emergency kit should consist of important medication, power banks, dried fruits, candys, power bars, flashlight, multipurpose knife tool kit, fire starter, water, spare clothes, compass and towels. Apart from this you should always have spare bulbs, fuses and first aid kit in your car at all times.

Driving - The human element is always essential to avoid any mishap and to get out of any situation. Whenever you encounter rain or wet roads it is advised to always drop your speed. Rain reduces visibility and wet roads reduce the amount of grip your tyres usually get from the tarmac. Keeping these two factors in mind at all times will help you prepare for the next step while driving. The braking distances increase during rains and while driving over wet surfaces so plan your braking. Braking slowly and braking early are essential during the monsoon season. You should avoid making any fast turns as the chances for spinning out and losing control are way higher on wet and dirty surfaces. Also avoid wading through waterlogged areas, plan an alternate route. If unavoidable, maintain distance from the car in front and do not stall your vehicle. Still if you end up stalling your vehicle, do not try to restart your car. Restarting the car in such a situation can seize your engine. Push your car to the side of the road, call roadside assistance for help.

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