The feeling of driving in the rain while listening to your favourite songs is just unmatchable. However, with slippery roads and potholes everywhere, driving during the monsoon can be a rather excruciating experience. It may not as pleasant as you expected. Fortunately, by thinking a little ahead you can ensure that your vehicle is up to the challenge of driving through the rain. If you’re looking for tips on how to prepare your car for the rains, this article if for you.

Car care tips for monsoons

Put your worries about driving in the rain aside as we have rounded a few tips on how to prepare your car for monsoon:

1. Get the tyres checkedThe most obvious of all monsoon car tips is to get your tyres checked. During the rainy season, you should always ensure that your tyres have a good amount of tread left on them. The slippery and wet roads along with worn out treads can make driving unsafe. Deeper the tread patterns, the better it is. They give you a better grip, making it easier to control the car during the rain.

2. Check the wiring and batteryTwo things that don’t go hand in hand are water and electrical components. Before the onset of the monsoon, it’s best to get your car’s electrical parts in good, working order. Also, make sure there is no exposed wiring as it can be a safety hazard during the rain. Remember, when you wade through waterlogged streets, your car requires extra battery power. Electrical parts like headlights and wipers consume more battery during the monsoon. A simple car care tip is to get the car battery replaced with a fresh one, especially if it is low. Alternatively, you can get the battery charged before the peak monsoon season.

3. Replace the brake padsBrake pads are a crucial element in monsoon car tips. When you drive on a wet road, it takes time for your car to come to a halt. This is because the friction between the tyres and the road is reduced because of the water. Not only should you maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, but you should also ensure that brakes are functioning properly. If the brake pads are worn out they may prevent you from stopping the car immediately and may lead to an accident. Brake pads must be checked and replaced by a trusted mechanic. Also, get them serviced and maintained from time to time.

4. Replace windshield wipers every monsoonA monsoon car tip most people tend to ignore is not checking the windshield wipers. Poor visibility is one of the common causes of accidents during the rain. While you may not need to use the windshield wipers in the non–monsoon seasons, they are absolutely essential during the rains. As such, you should make sure your windshield wipers are functioning well so that they can keep the glass clean for you to see properly. The hot, non-monsoon weather can make unused wipers hard, which can cause them to create scratches on the windshield. It’s best to replace them before the start of the monsoon season.

5. Ensure the lights are fully functionalHaving a working pair of head, tail, and turn-signal lights is important throughout the year, regardless of the weather. But it is all the more crucial during the monsoons. Heavy monsoon rains, coupled with overcast weather can hamper visibility, and can result in serious accidents. It is thus crucial that, your car’s lights are in proper working condition and noticeable to drivers and pedestrians. A simple way how to how to prepare your car for the rains is to run all the lights together, including the low and high beam head and tail lights, as well as brake lights and indicators. If you notice the lights to be inconsistent or dim, it is best to get the bulbs changed.

6. Look out for leaksWith extremely hot temperatures in most parts of India, rubber seals around panels like windows, windshield and sunroofs, can start leaking over the years. Likewise, drainage holes in cars may start to clog, thus causing rust and water accumulation in these parts. So an easy car care tip to remember before you take your car out for a spin in the monsoons is to identify the sources of the leaks and have them rectified as soon as possible. You can send your vehicle for servicing and cleaning to unclog the drainage holes. Also remember to check for signs of moisture around the door sills, windows and carpets.

7. Have spares and prepare for the unexpectedA final monsoon car tip is to ensure you have spares in your vehicle’s trunk. Monsoons can be rather unpredictable. One minute there’s sunshine, in another it gets cloudy, and then when it rains, it pours. Whether you are in a familiar part of town or in a relatively unknown city, it always helps to keep spares. For instance, you can keep a spare tyre, wiper blades, and fuses in the car’s trunk. Storing other articles, unrelated to the car such as a change of clothes, a towel, an umbrella or rain coat, can also prove beneficial.

So, follow these car care tips for monsoons. Remember, accidents can happen any time, but water–logging, potholes on roads, low visibility and slippery roads increase the probability of accidents, during the rainy season. Having car insurance is legally mandatory in India for car owners. Buying a car insurance policy will protect your car from any damage. In case your car meets with an accident.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.