Best Tips to Prepare Your Car for the Monsoon Season

Monsoon Season are set to hit the India sub-continent very soon, hence, motorists should prepare their cars in in anticipation of the rainy season. These preparations will not only help minimise the risks you and your car would face in the rains, but also ensure a hassle-free experience.

Here is how you prepare your car for the rains and guarantee yourself a trouble-free drive.

1. Tyres

Car tyres are one of the most overlooked parts and have a huge impact on how a car drives. Having tyres with a good amount of tread is a must during the monsoon season. This is down to the fact that traction on wet roads is already severely compromised, when compared to dry roads, and it is made even worse when the water collects to form pools or mixes with leaked oil and other vehicular fluids. Tyre treads help in this situation by channelling the water away from the contact patch, hence improving your car’s grip. Nowadays, most tyres come with tread-wear indicators – a small rubber bar between the grooves on a tyre. As the tyre rubber wears down, the tread indicator starts thinning out, too. Once the tread indicator wears off, it’s definitely time to replace the tyres.

2. Battery and Wiring

Having a properly working battery is an essential requirement throughout the year, though it becomes even more important in the monsoon season. Due to the rains and overcast weather causing poor visibility, you will end up using your wipers and lights more than you would at other times of the year. This takes a heavy toll on the battery, which if not in working shape will cause trouble. It is best to have it replaced beforehand, if required.

Another thing to watch out for is the condition of the exposed wiring running around your car. In contact with water, improper wiring or wires whose insulation is peeling off have a good chance of shorting. This can be a major safety hazard to you and others as well. In order to ensure high-quality wiring for any aftermarket electrical fittings, it is important to examine all visible cables. In this case, a short circuit could occur with highly unpleasant consequences – least of all, a void warranty.

3. Working Lights

Ensure proper functioning of all lights in your vehicle. Heavy rains and overcast weather require proper car lights for visibility.

Begin with running all lights together – the headlights (in both, low and high beams), brake lights and hazards/indicators. 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. Getting your headlights and tail-lights fixed or replaced, if they have moisture in them or are hazy, is another important task – as you want to see and be seen as clearly as possible when visibility is bad. Also, ensuring your headlights have an even beam is equally crucial to your safety, as well as that of oncoming vehicles.

4. Brakes

Wet roads also have an adverse impact on the braking distance of a car. Properly functioning brakes are essential in all weather conditions. However, worn out brakes could further increase braking distances, and there is also a chance of failure. Test brakes at home by starting the engine, letting the car idle, and pressing the pedal uniformly. If the pedal sinks, a leak may be present, and judder indicates worn pads need replacement.

Ensure car’s braking system is professionally inspected and replaced promptly, especially during monsoon season, for longer braking distances.

5. Wipers and Washers

It might seem like a no-brainer, but not checking the condition of the wipers and washer system is a common oversight. Seeing as they will be used regularly over the monsoon season, 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, as during the monsoons you will be required to use them almost every day. Owing to infrequent use throughout the year, and particularly in the summer, the rubber on the blades tends to crack, making the wipers ineffective for when you need them the most.

Ensure the washers are spraying properly, both at the front and rear (where applicable), as debris can clog the noses, or the water pump can fail – leading to the washers not working. Keeping the wiper-washer fluids topped up with soap water (or windshield water fluid) is also important, 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.

6. Paint and Body Work

Another thing that doesn’t go well together is moisture and exposed metal, which almost always leads to rusting. While leaks in the rubber seals around the car can be a source of rust, another area of concern is places where the paint coat has been damaged. Exposed metal is more prone to rusting and it’s best to get these areas repaired at the earliest, as rusting can make the problem worse than it was.

You should also keep the underside of your car clean and clear of the road grime and dirt, as these can lead to chassis corrosion.

7. Pre-Monsoon Service

A service is a quick and efficient way to identify and correct most of the above problems. A service will also be able to sort out any issues you may miss or are unable to rectify yourself. Professionally clean and polish your car during service for enhanced protection.

In conclusion, taking care of your car during the monsoon is a prerequisite for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. These expert tips will help you prepare your car for the rainy season. Keep your car in top condition by maintaining proper tyre tread depth and checking and cleaning essential components.

Remember to drive with caution, maintain good visibility, and be mindful of road conditions. Happy driving!

This brings us to the end of car care tips for the rainy season. Hope this was informative and helpful. For any questions/doubts, leave your comment below.