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Taking care of your car is a round the year job, but in the monsoons it takes on a whole new dimension
After a long, hot, sultry summer, it's bliss when the cool rain pours down on us. But before we rejoice and start dancing in the rain, let us also give a thought to our four-wheeled transport. The car must always be serviced prior to the monsoons because water damage can spoil the vehicle. A thorough service will reduce the damage and ensure your car lives longer. The best time to get your car checked and serviced is two weeks before the rains begin. Always remember, you take of care your car and it takes care of you. If the idea of you standing on road, drenched and cursing the car, doesn’t sound too inviting then follow these helpful tips and smile through the monsoon showers.
Try to keep the car dry by wiping down the water at the end of the day and park the car in a covered lot. Avoid covering a wet car with a non-breathable cover. Waterproof car covers play a major role in preventing premature rusting. Buy a cover with vents as this will allow damp to escape. Clean your car as dirt that settles down can corrode body parts. If your car has deep scratches get these areas treated as they can rust easily. Always get the underbody checked as this is most likely to stay wet for long.
The wiper blades are better when new. Always make sure they are of good quality, non-streaking and smooth functioning. The blades should not be hard and cracked, as they will cause scratches on the windscreen. Not to mention they won't be doing their job of wiping teh windscreen clean with even the slightest degree of competence. So check that the wipers are working at all the three speeds (normal, slow, fast) before you start driving around in the monsoons. You wouldn't want to be caught in the rain without functioning wipers. Instead of ordinary water for your windshield wiper, use some solution like soap solution for better visibility.
Patch up all weak or loose electrical connections and check if all the external wires are insulated, as these tend to act up in the rains. Also check to see if all fuses are in order and always carry a few extra. Ensure all your lights, including your turn signal indicators and reverse lamps, are working. It not just helps you see clearly but also makes you visible. If there are any cracks in lights replace them.
The heart of the car, the engine has to serviced properly and made watertight. The engine is probably the most complex part in the car so check for any visible leakages from the fuel lines, lubrication, air circuit because if water gets trapped in the engine then it might just prove to be very costly for your pocket.
Check your air conditioning system. Believe it or not, in cities with high humidity levels windscreens can fog over and the cooling system is often the only thing that helps in such situations. If your car does not come with a defogger, then simply turn up the air-conditioner’s thermostat and change the blower direction to increase airflow to the bottom half of the cabin. There are windscreen treatment sprays that coat the glass and resist the accumulation of water droplets on the screen. For reducing fogging on the inside of the windscreen allow outside air which will help balance the temperature inside the car.
Make sure your car tyres are in excellent condition as they will be in constant touch with the wet slippery roads. To avoid skids and unwanted jolts, make sure your tyres have good tread depth. Compromising on this could prove dangerous. The treads should be a minimum 2mm in depth, including on your spare tyre. Fine parts of dust get entrenched in the tyres, causing them to skid. Rubber has a tendency to soften when it comes in contact with water. Check the tyre pressure regularly and inflate it to recommended pressure when it is cold. This increases driving comfort and the life of your tyres.
Water may flow into the car’s interior and cause damage to the car's mats, carpeting on the floor, seat covers and even some of the electronic wirings that are fitted under the carpet. Apart from causing such damage to the interiors, it will also create a bad odour. In order to prevent dampness and foul smell, replace the existing mats, covers and carpets with rubber and plastic mats. If possible roll a waterproof electrical tape on the wires to prevent any kind of short circuit in the car. Vacuum clean the car interiors regularly and use car perfumes with light fragrances that will also make your car smell fresh. If your car seats get wet, keep the windows open to avoid the formation of fungus on the seats. Use the blower function on the vacuum cleaner to dry things up.
