Car care and driving tips for the monsoon

I came home yesterday from Nasik. It was raining throughout the journey. And the incidence with my car was still fresh in my mind, so I was driving extremely carefully. I took a break for the snacks Just after Kasara ghat. When I was coming out on the road, one car (could noticed the make but it was sedan) passed me with a speed @ 80-90kmph. When my car gathered the speed I was at least 300-400 m behind that car, and the road was total empty. Suddenly at one turn that car suddenly turned from left to right and disappeared in the bushes which are grown on the divider. I thought there must be some opening there and guy must have turned to other side of the road. But to my surprise, when I passed through the spot, I found car not on the road - but on the divider - 2 front wheels on the divider and the other wheels in the air. Fortunately no one was injured, and the passengers from the rear seats were getting down from the car. Because of the rain, the roads were slippery and there was a right turn on the road, I think the car skidded and left the road, got projected in the air and landed on the divider. Fortunately it didn't turtled. 

Lesson learned - Drive with extreme precaution when its raining, and the roads have lots of turns. Drive only when its absolutely necessary during monsoon. 

@NMP

This forced me to share a incidence I have experienced just two days back. Myself and a colleague were returning from Mumbai to Vapi on NH8. It was too late in night around 1:30am and our company driver was driving the vehicle (Xylo). It was raining like anything, and I warned driver to slow down (which he did). The full speed wipers were unable to maintain a clear view. The road condition was smooth with less traffic and xylo was cruising not more than 70kmph.Suddenly on a right curve near Manor (NH8), there was breakdown truck at left most lane so driver tried to overtook it and to all of our surprise there was a ditch along side of the divider in right most lane "WITHOUT ANY SIGN BOARD" for the work in progress. Driver tried his every bit to stop but due to mud and debries on tar, the car skidded and ended up in the ditch (about 1½ feet deep and 50 feet long. Right tyres in the ditch and left tyres in air. Fortunately No one hurt. But the car was non movable. So in the dark we tried to wave on the passing vehicles.  After some time we got help of an ambulance driver. He dropped my colleague to The nearest Highway Patrol Police outpost. The 2 on duty constables were helping in nature and they arranged for a towing van within ½ hour.

Finally the Xylo was pulled back by towing. Obviously front right tyre had got damage and puncture, was replaced in the same scenario the raining was relentless and 3 of us though un hurt (by gods grace) but exhausted and wet to the deep inside, packed ourselves in the still drivable SUV and returned home by 5:00am

Moral of incident.

Drive over cautiously:- You will never know what would be there on road by next turn. This is the rediculous way of working of the so called National Highway Authorities India (NHAI). They can dig a death trap in any highway/expressway without any warning signs. Visibility in hight, especially in heavy rains is a great challange. Do not be over confident instead be over cautious. Replace with OEM wiper blades in every monsoon. B coz I still suspect that the wiper have not done there job well.                     

Hi,

Completely agree with Amrut. I had a very bad experience while returning from a recent trip from Munnar (on 15th of Aug). While driving from Madurai to Trichy, it was raining so heavily that we were unable to see even a bit. This was due to faulty wipers. I knew about the problems with the wiper. But never took enough care as I rarely go out of the city and hadn't expected such a bad weather. I moved to the center of the highway and using the center line followed it closely. My eyes were too strained and got a headache trying to concentrate on driving. I also had some near misses. Luckily returned to chennai in one piece. 

Moral: Keep your wipers sound and take good care of your car. You never know when you will get sruck in such conditions. The tips given in the first post of this thread should be followed by everyone.

Once I was driving in my college senior's M800. He was sitting on adjacent seat and one more friend behind. Since I was driving a well known road I was bit a fast. I increased the speed and there was straight road. So my increased the speed more and was expecting as usual clean road, but no ..... in middle of road at end of straight part, there was some PWD work going on and there was big trench. I just had to press brake hard and could manage to stop car before it could stop at just at border of that big pothelo.

I learned that even if you know the road and drive on it daily, never take anything granted and assume everything is OK. Drive safely where you can control your car at any time.

+1 to Dr.Rajesh, yeah, eventhough we know the road conditions well, we cannot rely on our govt agencies, at which time they will dig up the roads and create trenches.

But howerver cautious, IMHO, it mostly depends on our mood during driving, and a simple thing of slow moving vehicle in front or anything that will cause a instant irritation that pushes up our B.P and a related action of pressing the accel hard than ever.

MODS,i believe this thread is about supernatural experiences and mine and above post should be moved to driving tips thread

why dont u open the door and get out instead of breaking the window with the hammer? and where do u place a hammer?? usually we place the tools in the boot of the car. and according to u, placing the tools in the boot wouldnt serve ur purpose. a bit curious to know where u keep the tools and for what all purpose u use the hammer in the car and y u are not ready to use the unlock button to get out of the car?? :P

there is a wiper liquid u get in the car accessories shop. a small concentrated liquid. specially for the wiper. pour that in the wiper sector and add 1 litre of mineral water to it. hope things shall be fine. 

but next time im gonna fill it with glass cleaner solution and gonna spray it.!!