Monsoon Prep: 10 Must-Know Tips That Will Let You Drive Safe This Rainy Season!

During the monsoons, it is advised to be extra vigilant of your beloved car or bike.

Monsoon Prep: 10 Must-Know Tips That Will Let You Drive Safe This Rainy Season!

The monsoon is almost upon us. Since Tuesday, heavy rains have been lashing Karnataka, with both Bengaluru and Mangaluru experiencing flooding. Similar scenes are playing out across the rest of India as well. Mumbai experiences heavy rainfall and inevitable flooding each year, and everyone remembers what happened to Chennai in 2015.

While the rains transform the landscape and bring down the temperatures, they also wreak havoc, causing transport disruptions, amongst other things. Well, for those of you who have their own vehicles, this season is when you should keep a sharp eye on them because moisture and machines aren’t friends. Follow these steps, to make sure your vehicle remains safe this monsoon.

Cars

There are so many reasons to take extra care of your 4-wheeler during the monsoons. Driving during the rains is already an unsafe activity, thanks to potholes, poor visibility, slippery roads and waterlogging, so keeping your car parts in check during this season and ensuring that your vehicle is in a top-notch condition is necessary.

Here is what you should monitor:

1) Tyres

A tyre with tread, and one without. Bald tires are dangerous, and can cause accidents, especially during monsoons. Representative image only. Image Credit: Flickr
A tyre with tread, and one without. Bald tires are dangerous, and can cause accidents, especially during monsoons. Representative image only. Image Credit: Flickr

This one is a no-brainer. Make sure your tyres have enough tread on them, or else you run the risk of aquaplaning while driving in the rain. Check inflation and tyre pressure, as the tyres tend to lose pressure during the rainy season. This will ensure safe driving during monsoons, and prolonged tyre life for your car.

2) Wipers

Keep your windshield wipers in good condition, they will help you during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Maxpixel

The rubber lining of wiper blades tends to wear off quickly. Make sure your wipers are functioning properly, at all speeds. All cars have a wiper washer bottle, which you can add a small quantity of mild detergent to keep your windshield clean.

3) Brakes

Keep your brakes in top condition, by changing the pads, especially during monsoons. Image Credit: Pixabay

These are the most crucial parts of a car. Clean the brake pads, and replace them if need be. Get brake fluid levels checked, and brake lines monitored for proper lubrication, so they don’t snap, due to the friction. Ensure that you have adequate stopping power, without skidding. If your vehicle has ABS, check the system to ensure it works.

4) Car Body

To ensure that your car’s paint remains shiny, even during monsoons, make sure to give it a wax polish. Representative image only. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Rainwater adversely affects the car’s paint. Use a wax polish to ensure a thin, protective layer on your car’s paint. The wax will help the water roll off easily—like it does off a duck’s back! Grease your door hinges, and check the rubber lining on them, and the windows. Use an anti-corrosion spray, on areas that have exposed metal.

5) Electricals

Ensure your headlights are clean, use toothpaste to make them shine, during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: PxHere

If you see any loose, or malfunctioning electrical connections, patch them up. Make sure exposed wires, if any, are insulated. Fuses are important–check if they are fine and always carry extra ones. Also, for headlights, wipe them with some toothpaste, and clean them with water, to make them shinier. Apply a little petroleum jelly on the terminals, to keep moisture away.

6) Interiors

Make sure your interiors do not remain damp, as that will attract fungus, especially during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

If water gets into the car cabin area, it damages the carpets and flooring. Use fabric mats, instead of rubber mats, and vacuum the car regularly, so that there is no foul odour, from wet seats. Also, keep windows open to prevent fungus from forming.

Additionally, while driving in the rain, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Use your AC, and point the vents towards the windshield, if it gets foggy during heavy rains.
2. Drive slow, as stopping distance increases, and remember, brakes are slightly less effective during rains.
3. If you are driving through stagnant water, make sure to keep revving slightly, so water doesn’t enter the exhaust system.

And most importantly, do not use a car cover during monsoons. Moisture gets trapped within, which causes rust. Keep your car in a well-ventilated place, and always pat it dry after a spin!

Motorcycles

There is nothing more liberating than riding a motorcycle in the rains, with your teeth chattering due to the cold, and your clothes completely soaked. While riding in the rains is fun, during a heavy downpour, it is advised to keep 2-wheelers off the road, for obvious reasons.

During the rainy season, monitor the health of your bike, so you are safe when you ride. Keep an eye on the following:

1) Tyres

Ensure that your motorcycle tyres have good tread, especially during monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Alex Roberts (Wiki Commons)

This the same as the first point in the section above. You need to ensure proper tread and tyre health, so aquaplaning doesn’t occur. Make sure you swap out your tyres if they’re old, and after a ride, get rid of mud from the grooves before it dries up.

2) Brake Pads

Make sure that your disc brakes are clean, and the brake pads are not worn out, especially during monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Pixabay

Motorcycles either have disc or drum brakes. Worn out pads and liners can reduce the efficiency or ‘bite’ of the brakes. In case of drum brakes, get them cleaned from the inside, and in case of disc brakes, check the brake fluid, and keep the discs and callipers clean and mud free. If your bike has ABS, check the system for any discrepancies.

3) Chain

A clean, mud-free chain, lubed regularly, will be the best thing for your bike, during monsoons.Representative image only. Credit: Public Domain Pictures

If your motorcycle has a chain, get rid of mud from the chain links, and lubricate the chain using grease/engine oil. In any case, you should be lubricating your chain every 500 kms.

4) Service

Get your bike serviced on time, and it will serve you well, during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Vishal Choudhary

If your bike is due for servicing, ensure that it is done before the rains. You do not want to be stranded with a bike that refuses to start in the middle of a downpour.

5) Electricals

Make sure your electricals are fine, during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image credit: Pixabay

Many bikes today have electronic rider aids, like ride-by-wire, etc., so make sure your electric components are working fine. Be sure to inspect lights, especially the left and right indicators. Also, tighten your mirror swivel, to ensure it doesn’t sway while you ride.

6) Engine

Make sure the engine has no mud or dirt sticking to it, during the monsoons.Representative image only. Image Credit: Author

Because they are usually exposed, engine components attract a lot of mud, during the rainy season. Carefully remove any mud before it dries on the engine, and be cautious while doing so, as the engines are hot, just after a ride. Use a powerful hose, to get the mud out of tough places on your bike.

While riding in the rain, remember to:

1. Use the brakes carefully. Do not use just the front or back brake, especially if the road is wet. Learn how to reduce speed by downshifting, and apply both brakes gently.
2. Avoid cornering, as the slippery roads will make your rear wheel slide out, leading to a disaster.
3. Avoid riding too fast. Remember, that on city roads, before you calculate your timing from 0-100 kmph, it is advised you check how long it takes to go from 100 kmph to a standstill—and never let ego twist the throttle. If you are riding in stagnant water, try to keep the revs at a mid-range, to prevent water from entering your exhaust system.
4. If you are riding in the rain, in addition to a helmet and a pair of gloves, you might consider a weather-proof jacket, and knee and elbow pads. Here, it is assumed that you are using a full-face helmet, and not the cheap plastic spheres that road-side vendors try and pass off as protective gear. Remember, a good helmet might be expensive, but brain surgery costs more!

Last but not the least, always try and park your bike in a covered, yet well-ventilated spot whenever possible.


You may also like:- Monsoon to Hit Kerala on May 29: 10 Simple Tips to Prep Your Home for the Rains


The rainy season is a time to go out on long drives, or rides, and sip tea and eat tasty snacks while taking in the smell of petrichor. Enjoy the change in weather, and make sure you keep inspecting your vehicle, to ensure it performs flawlessly, through the monsoons.

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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