Monsoon season in India is a welcome respite from the scorching heat of summer. However, once the weather calms down, you’ll find yourself dealing with incessant flooding and congested traffic.

Accidents are more likely to happen during the rainy season due to reduced visibility and poor road conditions. But don’t worry. This monsoon season you can make a few simple modifications to your vehicle maintenance and driving practices to not only prepare your vehicle for the monsoons but also protect you on the road.

Fix Wipers Before Summer Ends

Wipers are idle for the majority of the summer. This means that any issues with the wipers go unnoticed until they are restarted, usually during a rainstorm, so keep an eye on the wipers even when you don’t need them.

Wiper blades can deteriorate quickly with regular use and can harden over time as a result of oily fumes and dust particles. This can lead to scratches and poor windshield cleaning.

If your wiper blades aren’t working properly, then all you need to do is replace both blades for an even wipe during the monsoon rains. Another good practice is to fill your wiper fluid to the top.

Fog on the windshield can reduce your visibility. The best way to get rid of fog on the windshield is to direct the airflow of the AC to the windshield.

Small or Big – Get Headlight Cracks Fixed

Since visibility is at an all-time low during monsoons, keep your vehicle’s headlight, taillight, fog lamp, and brake lights in good condition. Look for any cracks or breaks in the glass to make sure that water does not seep into the light assemblies, which can lead to faulty fuses that can be hazardous to you and your passengers.

Clean your headlamps at all times. One of the oldest ways to clean headlamp reflector reflectors is to apply toothpaste to a soft cloth, rub it over the glass, and wipe it all off with another damp cloth.

These lights will undoubtedly save your life during a torrential downpour, so keep a few extra fuses handy in your toolbox and make sure all external wires for your lights and fog lamp are insulated.

Pre-monsoon servicing is a good idea

It’s no secret that summer is a difficult time for your car. It’s the time of year when temperatures are at their highest, and the sun is at its hottest. That’s why it’s a good idea to get your car checked by a professional before you hit wet roads and busy traffic areas.

Make sure the service center checks the battery and brakes of your vehicle.

Press brakes a few times on waterlogged roads

Your car’s brakes are one of the worst things that happen during the rainy season. They are also prone to water ingress, which results in a decrease in braking efficiency and power. Therefore, check the brake oil level and handbrake function.

When driving on a wet or slippery road, you may experience sudden braking. For example, brake a few times while driving on wet roads. This creates heat in brake rotors, aids in brake drying, and provides enough stopping power when needed.

Read More: Essential Car Mobile Apps To Enhance Your Driving Experience

Take cues from the car ahead of you

You’ve probably heard of this before, but it’s one of the simplest things you can do to keep your vehicle safe during the rainy season by following the lead of the vehicle in front of you. If you see a vehicle similar to yours driving and having trouble crossing a road surface, don’t put yourself at risk by turning on your ignition.

It’s not easy to change your route when you’re stuck in traffic. That’s why it’s a good idea to start earlier on cloudy, grey days. Not only do you save time by staying out of the middle of the road, but you also have a greater chance of reversing your gear and taking an alternative route to get out of a very uncomfortable, even dangerous situation.

Keep Corrosion away with Anti-Rust Spray

A metal frame protects the interior of a car. If your vehicle is approaching the end of its service life, an anti-corrosion treatment will help prevent moisture from corroding the chassis. You can choose an anti-corrosion spray or coating underneath the body of your vehicle. You might additionally:

Get a wax coating done: Wet and dry weather can lead to paint peeling and fading. The best way to protect your car’s paint is to get wax applied before the rains come.

Coat the car’s battery terminals: Apply anti-corrosion grease to the battery terminals to prevent rust.

Check your tires’ tread depth

Make sure your tires, including the spare, are in good pressure and tread depth is above the manufacturer’s safety limit. Tire grooves play a role in quickly dispersing water from between the road’s surface and the tire’s contact patch.

A tire that’s worn to the point where it’s below the safety limit loses grip and stability and can cause your car to slip on wet roads. Replace it as soon as possible.

A well-inflated tire will give maximum traction on slippery roads in the rain, reducing the risk of a slip-up. Under-inflated tires will puncture easily while maneuvering concealed potholes. On the other hand, an over-inflated tire will break contact with the road, reducing the grip and increasing the risk of slip-and-fall.

A well-inflated tire will prevent you from getting stuck in traffic on a rainy day.

Points to remember

• Aquaplaning, also known as high-speed driving during monsoon season, is a dangerous situation that should be avoided. This is when water builds up on the surface of the road and clings to the tires, resulting in loss of tire friction and the potential for accidents.

• If you can’t find a relatively dry alternative, make sure your vehicle is in first/second gear before entering the water.

• Keep your foot on the gas and your foot on the brake while navigating deep swales or puddles.

• Keep your vehicle at a safe distance from vehicles in front of you.

• If visibility is at or below zero, you should wait until the rain stops or the rain changes to a drizzle.

• The best way to do this is to crank up the engine as much as you can to push the water out of your exhaust.

• When visibility is poor, always turn on your headlights and tail lights. Not only will this give you a clear view, but it will also make your vehicle visible to other vehicles on the road.