17 June, 2019
The rains are here and we bet you’re looking forward to those long drives. Turns out, your car needs a little more care especially during the monsoon season. So while you add new raincoats and windcheaters to your wardrobe, here are a few things you can do to make sure your car is ready for the monsoons as well:
Tyres:
At the onset of the monsoon season turn your attention to your tyres. As a part of their basic maintenance, have them inflated regularly. Also ensure that they are aligned, as bumpy roads and potholes can throw the alignment off. Another aspect to look into is the treads on your tyres. As the roads are wet, the treads of your tyres allow a firm grip that prevents your car from skidding on wet surfaces. One way of knowing if your tyre needs to be replaced is inspecting your tyre’s tread indicator which is a small rubber bar between the grooves on a tyre. The thickness of the indicator will tell you if you have to replace the tyre or not. Just for precautionary measures, ensure that you carry a spare tyre wherever you go.
Headlamps:
When it rains heavily, it is natural for you to find it difficult to see clearly. This is essentially why your headlamps should be in top form as it promises better visibility. Scrubbing your reflectors with white toothpaste is an easy way to keep them clean. Apply toothpaste on the covers and scrub in a circular motion. Once the entire surface is covered, use a wet cloth to wipe the toothpaste off. Besides cleaning the outer cover of the headlamp, remember to check the bulbs and replace them if need be. You can repeat the same process for your taillights as they too are equally important and will serve as indicators to the driver behind you.
Wiper blades:
As visibility is the key while driving in the monsoon season, it is very important that your wipers are in the best condition before it begins to rain. Why? Because even though you may not use your wipers all through the year, it is impossible to drive without them while it’s raining. Even if it isn’t raining, you require your wipers in case of windscreen fogging. So, make it a habit to replace them every year before the monsoons. You can even test them out before the monsoon arrives to be completely sure.
Battery:
During the monsoons, your battery faces a lot of pressure from other parts of the car as you use your headlights, wipers and air-conditioning more than usual. This puts a strain on your battery and hence, maintaining it is a priority. But more importantly, it is affected by the increased humidity in the air. At the same time, the electrical wiring in your car is also at risk because, well, water and electrics don’t get along at all. Poorly maintained wiring can end up causing a short circuit when it comes in contact with water.
Brakes:
Brakes are a part of your car that you simply cannot ignore especially during the monsoon season. Take a good look at your brake pads and brake fluid. To test them, fire up the engine and allow your car to be idle for a while before pressing down on the brake pedal. If you notice that the pedal continues to sink, there may be a leak while if you experience a judder, it may mean that your brake pads have worn out. At the same time, take a note of the colour of your brake fluid. An indicator of bad brake fluid is if it turns brown. In that case, you will need to replace it. Well lubricated brakes will increase stopping distance which is much needed especially on wet, slippery roads. To be absolutely sure of your car’s braking system, have a professional take a look at it.
So as you prepare to set out on a road trip, follow our tips and your car will be ready for the rains.
