PRITESH NAIK

As monsoon has hit the state, the people are seen gearing up to fight the monsoons with raincoats umbrellas, rainy footwear and much more. But is your dear car also well protected for this season? There are a lot of things that can go wrong in a short span of time if you leave your car unattended. Here is a small checklist for this rainy season which will help you to protect your car as well as make your driving safe. Some of the below given car maintenance tips might look very obvious; it won’t take much time to check them.
Make sure that your tyres are in excellent condition before the monsoon arrives. The tread depth should be good enough or else they are likely to skid over slippery surfaces. Check out for worn-out treads. Car tyres need to be in good condition all the time, more so during the rainy season. Replace cracked and worn-out tyres, check air pressure and also get the wheels balanced and aligned. This will prevent your car from skidding on a wet road.
After the grip of the tyres, the breaks are the second most important aspect. Stopping distance usually increases considerably on wet roads. Regularly clean and replace the brake pads, see to it that the brake liners are properly lubricated as they can snap in case if there is any friction, as you never know when you may have to hit the brakes on a wet, slippery road. Ensure there is adequate brake pedal play for optimum brake operation.
Check your wiper blades and also its proper functioning. It is recommended that you replace them every year and ideally in monsoons. Always use good quality wipers as you depend on them for visibility, worn out and fancy wiper blades can give scratches on your windshield.
Your cars metal frame protects the internal components from moisture. So keep it clean and scratch free, to avoid corrosion also ensure that the chassis water drain holes are not obstructed. Greasing all the door hinges is also necessary. Use anti-corrosion spray on exposed metal areas. Get the rubber lining on doors checked and replace if necessary before monsoons arrive. If you spot rust, use a rust removal powder or anti-rust spray that is easily available at any accessory shop.
A good quality anti-rust undercoat can do wonders to protect your car. Any good auto workshop can get it done for you. Get a wax coating or a Teflon coat to protect your car’s paint from the rains, as alternate wet and dry spells can cause the paint to fade. Teflon and anti-rust coats last for almost a year.
Ensure that your car’s headlights and taillights are working properly as during a heavy downpour the visibility is poor, it is necessary not only for you but the driver following you.
Covering your car in wet humid conditions is the most unintelligent thing we find people doing. Draping the car causes the body to rust. Always park your car in a ventilated space.
Make sure your external wires are properly insulated. If you see any loose or weak electrical connections, patch them up. Also, ensure that all the fuses are working fine and do carry some extra fuses.
At times, water enters the cabin area and damages the carpets and flooring. It is advisable to use fabric mats instead of rubber mats during the rainy season. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the car regularly. In case your interiors get wet, keep the windows open to prevent bad odour and fungus development.
Get the car battery checked. Also, apply a coat of petroleum jelly on the terminals to protect them from moisture.
Get your car’s air conditioner checked. As, during a downpour with your windows closed the insides of the car can be really uncomfortable.
This small checklist will ensure that your car remains healthy and also give you a wonderful driving experience this monsoon.
Happy Driving!!