Is your Car Monsoon-Ready? Tips to make it Rain-Ready

Enjoying the rain? Good, but do make sure that your car is in a proper state to handle the downpour. As per a recent study, out of the total 1.2 million road fatalities in the world, India accounts for around 9.5% of the fatalities. About 19% of these happen during monsoon season due to improper vehicle maintenance and poor driving skills.

As beautiful and pleasant as the thought of rain might look, the truth is, sometimes it disrupts the daily life and vehicular movement. The incidences of car breakdown increase during the rainy season. Also, the long queue of traffic is a common sight during these days. But what if we told you that by preparing yourself, you can avoid being stuck in such situations? Your car must have gone through harsh heat during the summer, and therefore, it is important to make it ready to face potholes and heavy traffic, which come naturally with the monsoon.

Here we give you an all-encompassing list of tips to prepare your car for the rainy days.

Before you start driving

• Replace cracked car tyres and check them for air pressure and alignment, including the spare. With the roads submerged in water, the chances are high that you may not see the potholes, and it would cause frequent punches in the case of lower pressure in the tyre. There are some tyres which are made specifically for monsoon driving. Get a tyre with good traction to prevent your car from skidding on a slippery road
• Good vision is important for safe driving. In our country, where monsoon lasts for a few months only, the rubber on the wiper blades becomes very hard. So check wiper blades and make sure wiper motors are working properly. If rubber on the wiper is very hard to touch or looks cracked, change it immediately
• Through minor scratches, water seeps into the bodywork and causes corrosion. If there are minor scratches on your car or paint is flaking, get it repaired at the earliest
• Ensure that your windscreen is free from all scratches and damages. In case your windscreen is damaged, replace it before it starts raining. Also, the washer bottle should be filled up, and if required, you can also use the liquid detergent like Vim/Pril to keep the windshield clean and oil-free
• Make sure that your car’s brakes are well-lubricated. The brake oil should be of a right level and don’t forget to check the handbrake also
• As a car’s metal frame safeguards the internal part from moisture, keep it clean and scratch-free to avoid rust
• Take the help of a professional to ensure that the water chassis drain holes are dust-free
• During monsoon, visibility goes down, so make sure that your car’s headlights and fog lights are working properly. Some people use toothpaste and water to wipe and clean headlamps
• Moisture and humidity cause a foul smell which is like a headache during monsoon. So always keep a pleasant perfume in the car
• A car’s metal frame safeguards its internal parts. If your car is old, an anti-corrosion treatment will protect the chassis from moisture. As alternate wet and dry spells can cause the car’s paint to fade, you should get a wax coating done before the onset of monsoon
• Use old car seat covers and mats for the monsoon. What’s the point in spoiling the brand new car seat covers anyways?

Driving during monsoon

• Before you set off, check your car’s fuel tank. Always fill the fuel well in advance and don’t let the fuel tank go below half, as being stranded in a traffic jam with the AC and lights on, consumes more fuel
• On wet roads, braking distance increases, therefore, it is important to keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead of you. Though in heavy traffic, you won’t be able to go above 20-25 km/hr, in spite of that, keep a larger gap between you and the car ahead of you than you would have kept in case of dry conditions
• Do not close doors with central locking system as they might not open in case of electrical short circuit
• As you have already ensured that all lights are working properly, this is the time to use it and make yourself visible on the road. If the visibility falls drastically, switch on your headlights. Also, drive only on low beam as high beam reflects back and make it difficult to drive, especially during foggy conditions. If the traffic is moving slowly on the highway, switch on hazard light to warn vehicles following you
• Avoid puddles and parts of roads where the water is accumulated. You never know what lies beneath — an open pothole or a manhole as both can cause big damages to your car
• Fog on the car’s screen can disrupt your driving. Switch on your car’s AC and direct the airflow towards the windscreen. You can also use a defogger which passes current through thin strips installed on the glass and helps to defog it. In case there is no AC in the car, open the window and clean the windscreen with a soft cloth. However, be careful as you don’t want anything to disrupt your driving
• While driving through a waterlogged area, drive slowly and rev the engine to prevent water from entering the tailpipe
• Never try to restart your submerged car as it can lead to hydrostatic lock. Push the vehicle out of the water and inspect it carefully before driving again

After driving in rainy season

• Draping your wet car is a sin as it causes rust to set in faster and deeper. Make sure to park your car in a properly ventilated space
• In case you spot a rust, use a rust-removal powder to remove it
• Make sure to wash and pat dry your vehicle once you reach your home after driving in wet conditions. Do not wait for the car washer to come in the morning and wash your vehicle as dirt from the road can affect your car’s paint. Any delay in cleaning the car causes more troubles

Get complete coverage against monsoon: Add riders to your car insurance policy

Comprehensive car insurance might be of little help in the monsoon. That’s where riders come into the picture. Moreover, there is no waiting period, and it means, you can buy and use them whenever there’s a need. Here are some of the riders which can keep your driving safe and insured during monsoon:

• Roadside assistance: The cases of engine damage and vehicle breakdown become more frequent during monsoon. If you find yourself stuck in the water, get help with the roadside assistance program. The insurer will get your vehicle towed to the nearest garage. Besides this, it also offers services like, fuel refilling, battery jumpstart, flat tyre change, etc.
• Engine protection or hydrostatic lock: If you are passing through a waterlogged area or your vehicle is submerged in water, there are chances that water seeps into the engine and other internal parts of the car. The cost of repairing an engine is very high, and therefore, it makes sense to buy an engine protection rider, which gives full coverage in case of replacement or repair to the engine.
• Zero depreciation cover: Insurers settle the claim after deducting the depreciation value of the car and its parts. With this add-on, the insurer settles the entire claim without factoring in depreciation.
• Return to invoice: In the case of damage, you can get complete reimbursement of the loss. This add-on plays an important role by bridging the gap between the insured declared value (IDV) and the on-road price of the vehicle.

A judicious mix of car insurance riders along with the above precautionary measures can ensure the safety of your vehicle during monsoon.

Wishing you a Happy Monsoon driving!

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