It’s been raining cats and dogs and the challenge the monsoons pose to your car is not trivial. The following tips will help you not only keep your car shining and smiling, but also ensure you have a safe and enjoyable drive in the rains.
1. We all know bald tyres drastically reduce your traction on wet roadways and offer little resistance to hydroplaning. Ensure that your tyres’ tread level never falls below 3mm.
2. Get your car polished. Teflon coating protects the car’s panels and metal parts. Even very minor scratches on the car’s body cause rust, so don’t forget to touch up the scratches.
3. Replace your wiper blades regularly. Older vehicles may need to have the whole wiper arm replaced. The arms wear out over time and can’t keep enough pressure to clear the windscreen, even with new blades installed. Use the windshield washer fluid generously as recommended by the manufacturer. Using a blend of water and washer fluid will clean the windscreen more effectively than washing with plain water.
4. Rain water moistens the brake drums which can cause lower braking efficiency. Brake well ahead of your stop and with reduced force when roads are slick. Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
5. It’s very crucial to protect the car’s under-body from rust and the best measure is to give it a coat of anti-rust at an authorised service station or other professional after-market outfit.
6. Fill the battery to the brim and ensure the battery is fully charged. Apply petroleum jelly on the connecting point of the battery so that it remains dry; grease is also advised but it could damage the battery outlet joints.
7. Headlights illuminate the darkened conditions around you and help other drivers to see you coming. So it is important to check all your lights and ensure they’re all in good health. Do not use your high beams; they can reflect off droplets and make it even more difficult for you to see.
8. Ensure your defrosting and air-conditioning units are working properly so that you can de-fog the windows in rainy conditions. Use the de-frost mode with AC ON, in fresh air mode to clear the windscreen of condensation whenever the windscreen gets fogged up.
9. Every car should have a good emergency kit. The kit should meet your individual needs and be equipped with items ranging from spares, torch, fuses, tyre inflators, to safety kits and other items to attract or provide help. You can even keep cigarettes in your emergency kit, but not to relieve stress during an emergency. Rub the tobacco all over your windscreen and it causes water to form droplets and quickly roll off the glass rather than stay there and hinder your vision.
10. Water may sneak into the car’s interior and damage the car mats, flooring, seat covers and even some of the electronic wirings under the carpet. Moreover, it will also create a bad odour. Replace the existing mats, covers and carpets with rubber or plastic ones. It’s also advisable to roll a waterproof electrical tape on the electrical wires to prevent any kind of short circuit in the car. Also buy a waterproof car cover and keep the car covered when not in use.
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