Edited By Abhyjith K. Ashokan
Published Sep 07, 2024

Hindustan Times

5 tips to maintain your car in the rains

Image Credit: Pixabay

With the monsoon fast approaching, here are five tips to ensure your car is equipped to deal with it and come out of the other side in the best of condition.

1) Perform preventive mechanical maintenance before the rain even starts

* Get your car serviced before the rain starts. * Check the headlights, taillights, and fog lights for cracks and make sure they are functioning well. * Make sure your tyres are in good condition. If not, replace them. * Make sure your brakes are working well. * Make sure your vipers are in good condition.  

Image Credit: Unsplash

2) Change your cabin air filter if needed

The cabin air filter's job is to block dust and pollutants from getting into the vehicle, ensuring the air inside it is clean. The filter can get clogged over a period of time, leading to poor ventilation, inefficient air conditioning, and bad odour. Replace it if needed.

Image Credit: Unsplash

3) Use Baking Soda and Charcoal To Absorb Odors

Monsoons usually invite muddy shoes, wet seats and damp carpets that can leave your car smelly. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the floor mats, seats, and fabric surfaces (Don't use it on leather), let it sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum it. Similarly, place a few pieces of charcoal on a shallow dish and leave it in the car overnight to give the charcoal and its millions of pores to absorb the odour-causing molecules.

Image Credit: Unsplash

4) Rustproofing

Use rust proofing spray on exposed metal parts.  Go for an anti-rust treatment, especially for the chassis and underbody.  Also coat your battery terminals in grease to prevent the contact points from rusting

Image Credit: Pixabay

5) Disinfect your car's AC

Since most of us drive in the rain by keeping the windows rolled up and the AC on, it pays to ensure the AC is disinfected. This is because fungus, aided by damp conditions, can develop in the air conditioning system. Use an AC disinfectant to clean it. Also use an AC Evaporator cleaner to clean the air passage of the AC duct.

Image Credit: Pixabay