Monsoon Car Care Tips: Here's How You Can Monsoon Proof Your Car

Monsoon is here, and soon the roads all across the country will be drenched with rain which will make for a wet, slippery and annoying ride. While we don’t have any solution to alleviate the annoyance, we do have some tips for you to increase safety behind the wheel during the downpour.Keep off water-logged roadsWe understand that you are busy, you might be on your way to an important meeting, or an anniversary dinner but in the midst of a downpour, it is always advisable to stop driving/riding if you’re in an area that is water-logged to avoid unnecessary damages to your vehicle. Don’t be hasty because even restarting your vehicle or pushing it in such areas might damage the engine or the electrical system. The worst part is that your standard car insurance or two-wheeler insurance may be insufficient to cover the cost of repairs in such cases.Check your tiresAs rain tends to leave the tarmac or any other road wet and slippery leading to heavily compromised traction which is made worse still by water occasionally mixing with leaked oil and other vehicular fluids. Your tires are your first line of defence. They’re in direct contact with the road, so it’s only fair to check on them before anything else. Tire treads are meant to disperse water, the treads on your tires help in channelling this mix away from the contact surfaces, thereby improving grip so having a good tread depth is critical for the monsoon season. This will give you a good grip on the slippery roads, especially on those highways.Today, most tires have tread-wear indicators – a small rubber bar between the grooves on a tire – built into them. As your tire rubber wears down, the tread indicator starts thinning out, too. So if the treads are worn out, your best bet is to get a new set of tires.Keep your brakes in checkWhile good tires will help you go along a wet road with tons of grip, brakes help you stop running into an accident. Heavy rains mean slippery roads and loss of grip. At times like these, your brakes need to be reliable. Worn-out brakes could increase braking distances, and there is also a chance of failure.  The brake liners need to be properly lubricated to avoid snapping due to friction. Your brakes have to work twice as hard at the time, so get them checked by qualified personnel. You might end up needing fresh brake pads, discs or a change of brake fluid.Wipe it cleanLack of visibility is one of the main causes of accidents and collisions during the rains. So it is wise to get the wipers changed after every summer to ensure clear visibility during a downpour. If you’re a biker, gift yourself a good helmet with a clear visor. Avoid tinted ones which only work when the sun is out.Check your wiper blades to see if they leave behind any smudges or lines of water on the windscreen. If they leave either, it is time to have them changed. It is also important to keep the wiper-washer fluids topped up with soapy water (or windshield water fluid) as sticky debris can be difficult to clear from the windshield and might also damage it. Make sure to keep an eye on the washer reservoir level and top it up as and when it runs low.Check rusts and leaksRain brings moisture which, in general, tends to take a toll on the vehicle. The worst thing in these conditions is to drape your car/bike in a cover. This will only cause the rust to set in sooner. Instead, try stilt parking or park somewhere with decent ventilation. Also, a rather common occurrence is the clogging of drainage holes located around the car which can cause the growth of rust if water accumulates in the area. If there’s rust, it’s best to have the rusted areas treated or replaced before it spreads.Given the weather conditions, it isn’t uncommon for rubber seals around panels such as sunroofs, windows or windshields to begin to leak over the years. Check around the windows, sunroof, door sills and carpets for signs of moisture, as it will be an indicator of the car having a leak.Wiring and batteryWater and electricity are not the best of friends. You don’t just need to ensure that your car’s electrical is in good working order but you also need to check the condition of exposed wiring running around your car. Improper wiring or those with the insulation peeling off have a good chance of shorting, especially when they come in contact with water, and that can be a safety hazard to you and others as well.It is also advisable to make sure your battery is in proper working shape and have it replaced if required, as monsoons generally require heavier use of electrical components such as lights, wipers, etc.Light the wayHeavy rains during the monsoon and overcast weather can make for hampered visibility, which is where you require your car’s lights to work properly to be noticeable to other road users. If you’ve noticed your lights get dimmer or inconsistent, you need a new set of bulbs. Flickering or fluctuating lights can also indicate a weak battery. Fixing an uneven beam is equally crucial to your safety as well as that of oncoming vehicles. It’s also a good practice to have the headlamp or tail-lamp lenses cleaned if they have gotten fogged up or if moisture has settled inside the units.