Essential Car Maintenance Tips for the Rainy Season | Keep Your Car Safe and Efficient

The monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the scorching summers, but for cars, it is a whole different story. Like summers, the rainy season also brings a fair share of challenges for you and your vehicle. If you are not prepared, the rain, flooded roads, and humidity can wreak havoc on your car. Today, we will explain all the essential car maintenance tips for monsoons to keep your vehicle safe.

Essential car maintenance tips for monsoon

Heavy downpours can hamper visibility even during the day, while flooded roads cause rust and corrosion in the underbody. On the other hand, potholes just wait to test your car’s suspension, and wet roads do not want to provide any grip to the tyres. Here is what you can do to keep your car in good health during the rainy season.

Wiper and windshield

The first and foremost parts to check before the monsoon are the windshield and wipers. Clear visibility is the key to driving safely when it is raining. Check your wipers for any damage, wear or cracks. If any signs of wear are observed, then replace them. Inspect the windshield for any cracks or chips, as this could lead to leakage of water inside the cabin. Also, ensure the appropriate level of windshield washer fluid, as it comes in handy to clean streaks of mud, muck and debris while driving.

Check headlights and taillights

Inspect headlights, fog lights, taillights and turn indicators for good visibility while driving through the rain. Dim headlights will reduce your visibility while manfunctioning taillights and turn indicators can mislead traffic behind you, which might cause collisions.

Battery and electrical system check

Proper battery inspection is necessary as weak batteries might struggle to start the car in wet conditions. Recharge or replace the battery if the battery warning light shows up on the dashboard. Go for a professional battery inspection and cleaning if you are facing any difficulty.

Brake maintenance

Moisture between the brake discs and pads can reduce the braking performance, leading to longer braking distances. It is recommended to ensure that your brakes are in perfect order to minimise the risk of even longer braking distance during monsoon season. Get a professional brake service and repairs if your brakes are underperforming, noisy or causing vibrations.

Tyre care

Tyre treads and pressure play a crucial role in maintaining grip on wet roads. Ensure that your tyres have enough tread depth by observing the tread indicators on the tyres. Replace tyres if required. Get the tyre pressure checked, or keep a pressure gauge handy. Avoid overinflated tyres, as they reduce grip and might lead to hydroplaning/skidding.

Anti-Rust Treatment

Your car’s underbody is constantly under attack from the water on the roads, increasing the risk of rust and corrosion. It is wise to opt for underbody anti-rust rubber coating to prevent corrosion in the rainy season.

Car safety precautions during the rainy season

You must follow these car safety precautions during rainy season to stay safe.

Door and window seals

Loose door and window seals can allow rainwater to enter inside the cabin, leading to mould growth on the upholstery and musty smells.

Interior protection

Quality floor mats will prevent dirt, muck, debris, accidental spills and water leakage from reaching the floor carpet. If your car is old, you can also replace the carpet to remove the foul smell.

Avoid waterlogged areas

If you see a flooded road ahead, stop and find another route, especially if you can't judge the water depth. Taking such a risk is not prudent; if the water is too deep, your car could stall, and water could flood the engine and cabin.

Driving tips for monsoon

It is crucial to master monsoon driving techniques for a safe journey during monsoon. Follow these essential tips.

• Drive slow: Wet roads significantly reduce road traction. Driving slower than usual will help you maintain control of your car.
• Keep a safe distance: Increase the distance to the car in front to have an adequate stopping distance in case of braking.
• Turn on headlights: Even during the day, turn on the headlights to enhance visibility in rainy conditions for yourself and other road users. Never use the hazard warning lights while driving; use them only when you are parked on the side of the road.
• Use defogger: Rains cause the interior surfaces of the windshield and windows to fog up. Use the defogger to clear the fog and maintain visibility.
• Avoid flooded roads: You can prevent getting stuck in water by avoiding flooded roads by taking alternate routes.
• Avoid sudden brakes and sharp turns: Due to reduced grip on wet roads, sudden braking and turning sharply can lead to uncontrolled skidding.

Conclusion

We cannot predict when and how the rain will fall. However, following these car maintenance and safe driving tips for the rainy season can make your car safer. Be smart and ensure that your car is monsoon-ready. Request a callback from CARS24 app if you are looking for professional car care.

FAQs

Q. How to maintain a car in the rainy season?
Maintain your car in the rainy season by checking the following:

• Windshield and wipers
• Lights
• Battery
• Window and door seals
• Brakes
• Tyres
• Opt for underbody anti-rust coating

Q. Should I wash my car after rain?
It depends on the rain itself. A light shower can dirty your car the most as it accumulates all the dust in the air. A simple water wash will do the job. If you have driven through mud, muck, and rural roads, then a professional pressure wash becomes necessary.

Q. How to avoid fungus in cars during monsoon?
Fungus grow due to excessive moisture. Carry a portable dehumidifier bag, frequently vacuum the interior, and run your car’s AC in a ‘fresh air’ setting to remove moisture.

Q. How can you drive safely in the rainy season?
To stay safe during the rainy season, it is recommended to drive slowly, increase the distance to the car in front, avoid sudden braking and sharp turns, turn on headlights, and avoid driving through flooded roads.

Q. How do you control a car in the rain?
You can keep control of your car by driving slowly, avoiding sudden brakes and sharp turns.

Q. How to increase visibility in the rain?
Keeping the headlight on even in the day when it rains will increase visibility. Use the defogger to remove the fog from the windshield and window glasses.

Q. Can rain affect my engine?
Rains usually do not affect your car’s engine. However, driving through flooded roads can lead to water entering through the air intake could hydrolock and seize the engine, or damage electrical components.

Q. How to remove water spots on my car after it rains?
You can remove water spots on your car by washing and drying the painted surface. Applying a wax coat can create a water-repellent surface.