Monsoons are here and everybody seems to rush to get their new umbrellas and raincoats. Rains bring a lot of relief from the sweltering summer heat and is the most eagerly awaited season of the year. This is also the season during which our cars require that extra bit of maintenance too. If washed excessively, the grit that accumulates on the body could scratch the paint surface. On the contrary if they are rarely washed the paint might get dull over time. So are we taking enough care of our vehicles? And what about our driving skills? This is how we all can get ready for the monsoons.
One of the first things to get monsoon ready is to get a good wax polish. Ideally this can be done just as the monsoons commence but it is never too late to give your car a waxpol. Carnauba wax is easily available and does the function of forming a layer between the paint surface and the elements, thus protecting your precious paint job. It also helps fill up any existing scratches thereby preventing rust formation.
Next up is tyres. Give all five tyres, including the spare tyre, a thorough check for tread depth. Treads function as the pathway for water to get expelled from beneath the tyres and helps prevent aquaplaning. Aquaplaning is the formation of a layer between the road surface and the tyres which causes a loss of traction. Tread depth should be measured using a coin and the ideal depth is anywhere between 3-5mm.
Wash your car every alternate day with a good quality car shampoo and micro fiber cloth. This will reduce the tendency of scratches occurring on the paint surface and will also prevent it from fading away due to alternate dry spells. If the car is not going to be used for a long period then use a car cover. Car covers are made of porous materials that are water repellent and allow the humid air to rise thereby leaving your car dry.
There are a few technical aspects that one must take care of during the monsoons. First of the list is slowing down. Driving fast on a rainy day is putting yourself and even other motorists in trouble. Slowing down your vehicle’s speed is the best option. Rains hamper visibility and it is best to run the car at 60 percent of the normal speed when driving in the wet.
Waterpools are most common occurrences on highways especially on the turns as most roads are banked on the outer edges. Going fast through these waterpools will cause aquaplaning and lead to directional instability. Also do not splash your way through the waterpools. It may seem joyous from the inside but can lead to several malfunctions including electrical failures. Splashes of water hit the underbody of the car and a loose wire is all it takes to serve you a tidy bill for the damages. Also showing a little courtesy towards fellow motorcyclists will only get you praises.
Maintaining larger distances behind the vehicle in front of you also helps. Wet roads are notorious for causing accidents due to pile ups as motorists usually overspeed and do not maintain a fair distance between the vehicles in front of them. Also wet surfaces increase braking distances when compared to dry surface.
Floods during monsoons are another common occurrence in India but we Indians still have to master the skill of driving through a flooded patch of road. It is advisable to keep the revs high while crawling through the water logged area. In case you come to a halt, shift to neutral and keep revving. This will prevent water from entering into the exhaust. In the worst case scenario if you stall the car in a between a flooded area, do not restart the engine. If the level of the water is above the exhaust tip, water will get sucked into the engine and cause momentous damage. Another option is to turn around and choose a different route to your destination, as travelling a few extra kilometres is way cheaper than a complete engine rebuild.
These are some of the tips that will help you become a better driver and maintain your car this monsoon season. The mango season has departed to make way for the monsoon season. Make sure you drive safe.
