How often has your car got stalled in the monsoons? And how many times have you been stranded in the middle of a busy road, when your vehicle refuses to move out of a puddle after skidding to a halt. Before the monsoon sets in, car expert Tutu Dhawan has some handy tips to help you avert an imminent automobile disaster during the rains.
Wiper Sense
The wiper systems should be checked. The wiper blades should be changed unless they are in excellent condition. A new set costs anything between Rs 200 and Rs 475. The wiper spray should be de-sludged. Carefully check if the nozzle is choked. Besides the de-sludging, you could also add an additive to it. The windscreen should be cleaned with a mild detergent.
Inside The Car
The de-fogging system on the windscreen needs to be serviced.
Frayed high-tension cables are a big cause of the automobile stalling when wading through a puddle or a pothole. It may lead to a short circuit.
The drain plugs on the floor under the carpet should be in place to ensure that water doesn’t get back into the passenger area, particularly when passing through a waterlogged street.
The drain passages in the doors which usually get clogged with mud showers should be cleaned to keep the passenger area free of water.
Sunroof channels and rainwater gutters around the bonnet and the boot should be cleaned for residue of mud and tree leaves. This facilitates the movement of the sun-roof and prevents the seepage of water into the boot and the passenger area.
The exhaust system should be checked for any perforations in pipes.
After The Brake
Do the brakes-check for any uneven wear and tear. Also ensure that the callipers and the brake wheel cylinder are performing fine. In 99 per cent of the cases, water seeps into the brakes system and thios eventually leads to uneven braking and skidding. Avoid it at all costs.
Tread With Care
Tyres are an important part of a monsoon check. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, the grooves should not be less than 3 mm in depth. Also, the bulbs and indicators should be in good working condition to navigate through a torrential downpour.
After The Brake
Do the brakes-check for any uneven wear and tear. Also ensure that the callipers and the brake wheel cylinder are performing fine. In 99 per cent of the cases, water seeps into the brakes system and thios eventually leads to uneven braking and skidding. Avoid it at all costs.
Tread With Care
Tyres are an important part of a monsoon check. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, the grooves should not be less than 3 mm in depth. Also, the bulbs and indicators should be in good working condition to navigate through a torrential downpour.
Paint Points
The paint should be rubbed and polished and a good wax coat be carried out to prevent fading. The paint also acts as a guard against the sulphur and acid that the rain may contain.
Rust Prevention
Although most new cars come with a coating, but older models may be susceptible to corrosion. Also, in cars that belong to an earlier era, you could easily remove the carpet and substitute it with rubber mats.
Water-repellent sprays: These sprays can be used on the high-tension area of the engine to prevent short circuits that may stall the car. The engine should be cleared for moist dust particles which act as conductors.
Finally, as a good citizen, ensure that your mud flaps are in proper shape so that you don’t splash dirty water on those behind you.