1. Tyres

Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a car, but they are extremely important and have a major impact on the way a car is driven. During the monsoon, it is necessary to have tires with a large number of treads. This is because traction on wet roads has been severely impaired compared to dry roads, and the situation will be worse when water accumulates to form pools or mixes with leaking oil and other vehicle fluids. In this case, the tire tread helps by guiding the water away from the contact surface, thereby improving the car’s grip. Today, most tires have tread wear indicators-small rubber strips between the tire grooves. As the tire rubber wears, the tread indicator begins to thin. Once the tread indicator wears out, it’s time to replace the tire.

2. Battery and wiring

Having a working battery is a basic requirement throughout the year, although it becomes more important during the monsoon. Due to low visibility due to rain and cloudy skies, you will end up using wipers and lights more than at other times of the year. This will cause a lot of damage to the battery, and if it does not work properly, it will cause trouble. If necessary, it is best to replace it beforehand.

Another thing to be aware of is the condition of the exposed wires running around your car. Wires with incorrect wiring or peeling insulation are likely to short-circuit, especially when they are in contact with water. This can also be a major safety hazard for you and others. Therefore, it is worth checking all visible cables carefully and ensuring that all after-sales electrical equipment is wired with high-quality cables. If this is not the case, it is not unrealistic to expect that short circuits will have very unpleasant consequences-at least invalid warranty.

3. Work lights

Ensuring that all your car lights, including headlights, taillights, fog lights and turn signals are in normal working condition is a crucial step. Regardless of the weather, this should be kept in working condition. Heavy rain and cloudy days can affect visibility. This is where you need car lights to work properly to attract the attention of other road users.

Start by running all lights together-headlights (low beam and high beam), brake lights and hazard/indicator lights. If you find that the lights are dimmed or inconsistent, you need a new set of bulbs. Flickering or fluctuating lights may also indicate low battery power. Repairing or replacing the headlights and taillights, if they are damp or hazy, is another important task-because you want to see and be seen as clearly as possible when visibility is poor. In addition, ensuring that your headlights have a uniform beam is also vital to your safety and the safety of oncoming vehicles.

4. Brakes

Wet roads will also adversely affect the braking distance of the car. As with many items on this list, a properly functioning brake is essential regardless of the environment or weather. However, worn brakes may further increase the braking distance, and there is also the possibility of failure. You can test your brakes at home by starting the engine, letting your car idle for a while and depressing the brake pedal with even force-if the pedal continues to sink, it may be a system leak. In addition, if you feel the brake pedal jitter during daily driving, it may mean that the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.

Make sure to have a professional check the brake system of your car correctly and replace worn parts as soon as possible. During the monsoon, a well-maintained set of brakes is a huge advantage—especially considering the longer braking distance on wet roads.

5. Wipers and washers

This may seem simple, but not checking the condition of the wiper and cleaning system is a common oversight. Considering that they will be used regularly during the monsoon period, please check your wiper blades to see if they leave any stains or water marks on the windshield. If they are all gone, it is time to replace them, because you will need to use them almost every day during the monsoon. Since it is not used frequently throughout the year, especially in summer, the rubber on the blade is easy to crack, causing the wiper to fail when you need it most.

Make sure that the washing machine is sprayed correctly at the front and rear (if applicable), because debris can clog the nose, or the water pump may malfunction-causing the washing machine to fail to work. It is also important to fill up the wiper cleaner with soapy water (or windshield water), because sticky debris is difficult to remove from the windshield and may damage the windshield. Make sure to pay attention to the water level of the washer and fill it up when the water level is low.

6. Leaks and rust

Considering the climate prevailing in most parts of India, it is not uncommon for rubber seals around panels such as skylights, windows or windshields to leak over the years. One way to check for any leaks in your car is to look for signs of moisture around windows, skylights, door sills, and carpets.

In addition, a fairly common situation is that the drainage holes located around the car are blocked. If water accumulates in the area, it may cause rust. Rust is also a major problem, and it is best to treat or replace the rusted area before it spreads. Taking into account the higher humidity and temperature changes, cars are more likely to rust during the rainy season.

It is best to find the source of the leak and make corrections as soon as possible; after proper maintenance and cleaning, the drain hole can be dredged.

7. Painting and car body work

Another unsuitable thing is wet and exposed metal, which almost always leads to rust. Although leakage of rubber seals around the car may be a source of rust, another area of ​​concern is where the paint coating is damaged. Exposed metal is more prone to rust, and it is best to repair these areas as soon as possible, because rust can make the problem worse.

You should also keep the bottom of the car clean and remove road dirt and grime, as these can cause corrosion of the chassis. It is strongly recommended to apply a layer of polish after washing, because it not only makes your car look bright and beautiful, but also forms a protective layer on the body.

8. Pre-Monsoon Service

Sending your car for repair is a quick and effective way to identify and correct most of the problems mentioned above. The service can also solve any problems you may have missed or cannot correct yourself. When repairing your car, you can also professionally clean and polish it to better protect your car from natural disasters.

9. Spare parts

The monsoon brings a certain degree of unpredictability, as bright sunshine gives way to heavy rain and vice versa. In the rainy season, it is a good practice to keep some items in the car at hand. These include spare parts for components such as wiper blades and fuses, as well as standard equipment such as high-visibility triangles, basic tools and medical kits. In addition, although it has nothing to do with the car itself, it is best to keep some spare items in the car, such as clothes, an extra set of shoes, an umbrella/raincoat or even a towel in case you are caught and it starts to rain.

See also:

Important tips for driving safely in the monsoon season

Basic advice for cycling during the monsoon