MONSOON CAR CARE GUIDE

BE MONSOON READY

Enjoy the rhythm of the season, clouds, water and rainbows! Driving in the rain is quite fun, but before you do that, getting your car up and ready for the season is essential. Remember, the rain never comes alone; it always brings along mud, dirt and water that start accumulating in all those smaller crevices and gaps in your car. Therefore, regular maintenance tops the to-do lists in the monsoons. Besides maintenance, you could adapt some of these useful monsoon car care tips to keep your car in great shape without missing out on that monsoon fun.

Keeping It Fresh!

If you have ever been stranded outside in the rain, you would know that it brings with it dirt, grime etc., which you just cannot wait to wash off as soon as you reach home. Ditto with your car. Driving on wet roads or in rainy conditions cakes your car with layers of mud that accumulate in crevices leading to anything from clogged HVAC systems and rust. Therefore, regular cleaning and washing of a car are necessary for the monsoon.

Down To The Metal

If your car has dents and scratches, it is a good idea to have them repaired before the monsoons so that there is no exposed metal. Exposed metal can lead to the formation of rust, which can then expand from the smallest scratches and dents to the entire panel over the course of time.

Here’s Looking At The Underbelly

Think of it as a protective covering. Having an underbody anti-rust coating done at the service centre periodically ensures that the floor of the car is free from rust. Road dirt and grime accumulates the most in the underbody, that can lead to rust formation in wet conditions.

Wipe It Off

Monsoons naturally mean heavy downpours. During these times visibility is severely affected for motoring. And it’s those two fiddly-looking rubber wiper blades that truly empower you to see clearly ahead. Being made from rubber and being exposed to different weather conditions throughout the year, however, results in them hardening. Once the rubber hardens, it leads to the wiper blades dragging across the windshield rather than wiping it clean. These lead to streaks of water being left behind on parts of the windshield, aside from the dragging noise, not to mention scratches too sometimes. So, before the monsoons arrive, it’s a great idea to check and see if the wiper blades have hardened and need replacement because only properly functioning wiper blades will ensure safe and enjoyable drives during the monsoon.

Top Up The Windshield Washer Fluid

Rain also tends to bring down leaves and other debris onto the windshield of a parked car, not to mention road grime and water splashes from other moving traffic over wet roads. Conditions such as these also hinder visibility. This is when the windshield washers are an absolute boon. They spray water on the windshield, and the wipers instantly clean the glass ahead of you so you can continue driving comfortably.

So, do ensure that you top up the windshield washer fluid regularly as per use, to be able to use this ever-important feature during your regular commutes or while on adventurous getaways.

Let There Be Light

Reduced visibility can be quite a challenge during the monsoons, be it with sudden fog while driving in the hills or heavy rain under low light conditions. This is why it is very important to check if the headlights, taillights and indicators are all working, to ensure visibility of your car for other road users, as well as for you to be able to see ahead. Over time, in case of even minor bumps, sometimes the headlight or taillight cavities can be punctured. Punctured light cavities can be identified when light units develop a dull look or if there is water trapped inside. Light beams are amplified by reflectors inside a light unit and if these reflectors get covered by dirt and water it results in light beams becoming drastically diminished, thereby reducing visibility.

Crystal Clear

Fogged-up windows in movies may seem incredibly desirable, but they are a driving hazard. Rains frequently cause outside and in-cabin temperatures to be quite different, leading to mist formation on the windows. The Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) system must be adjusted to demist the windshield and windows. Since the rear windshield is furthest from the AC vents, the rear defogger can be used for clearer vision. It is important to check that the air conditioning systems’ ventilation and air-flow functions are working as intended before the monsoons arrive to ensure you and your car are comfortably ready.

Upgrade Your Floor Mats

Wet conditions outside mean that wet footwear is a given while entering a car. Fabric mats absorb water from footwear and can lead to higher moisture inside the cabin, leading to a mouldy smell. It is therefore advisable to use rubber floor mats during the monsoons as they do not absorb water, dry quickly and can be washed and cleaned far more easily to remove mud and dirt.

No Break For The Brakes!

Wet road conditions result in lower traction, which may lead to increased stopping distances. This is why checking and servicing your braking system before the monsoons is important. Suppose the car was serviced during the winter, and there are no issues. A simple check of the brake fluid level under the bonnet should do. One can keep a check on adequate braking performance while driving the car. It should also be ensured that there are no squealing or screeching sounds during braking.

Tread Carefully

The minimum recommended tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. In simple terms, modern tyres come with tread bar indicators that are located at the bottom of the tread. As the tyres wear out, the tread bar indicators level with the tyre treads, signalling that the tyre tread can no longer dispel accumulated water on the road. This can be fatal as it may cause the vehicle to aquaplane and lose control. Therefore, you must check the tread depth condition of all four tyres before the monsoons arrive to ensure safe motoring for you and your loved ones.