Driving in the rain: 6 car care tips for monsoon

Rains bring out the best in people The smell of wet mud piping hot bhajiyas and some kadak chai is all it takes to get the monsoon mood going For our fourwheeled pals though the rains can be a bit of a bother Theres not enough grip not enough visibility and the resultant traffic snarls can annoy the calmest of driversBefore we get on to some tips for you to follow while driving in the rain make sure your car is in good shape Most manufacturers conduct monsoon service camps during the rainy season and it is recommended to get the vehicle checked to prep it for the rains The checkup will include a quick glance at the fluid levels the tread on the tyres and of course the condition of your wiper blades Once thats done heres how you tackle the monsoons1 Think Do you really have to travelIf it is pouring heavily and chances of waterlogging seem high consider whether you can do without making the trip in the first place If not figure out if you can commute without using the car If the weather gets out of hand youd get stuck or worse have a breakdown which will cause more delays Remember being stuck alone is far better than being stuck with your car In an extreme scenario you might have to abandon your car ndash why get to that situation in the first place2 Do not enter flood water thats deeper than a footIf you have set out with the car try and avoid routes that are prone to waterlogging If a route change is impossible enter a flooded area only when youre sure that the water isnt deeper than one foot The best way is to wait for another car to pass through the same stretch and gauge the depth of the water If the water level is higher than the centre of the wheel it is wise to look for alternative routes Most cars have airintakes that are mounted low and which will suck in water and cause the engine to choke and stall Matters will get worse if water seeps into the cars electricals3 Keep the car in first gear Go slowA waterlogged patch needs to be negotiated carefully It is advisable to keep the vehicle in first gear and build the revs to around 3000rpm In case you drive an automatic slot the gear lever into L or into Manual and modulate the throttle Do not enter a flooded road at high speeds You risk aquaplaning and losing control of the car Carry a steady pace of up to 15kmph and maintain the speed right up to where the water recedes Importantly when you are crossing the flooded patch do not accelerate or brake rapidly4 Ensure visibilityWith a blanket of rain come envelopes of fog Visibility is severely hampered in such cases We highly recommend switching on your headlamps and fog lamps when driving through heavy rains If your car is equipped with a rear fog lamp be sure to turn that on as well Turning on the emergency blinkers is a STRICT NO NO You will not only cause a distraction but also puzzle drivers following you when you switch lanes5 Stalled Do not attempt to crank continuouslyIn case your vehicle has stalled while driving through a waterlogged area do not attempt to crank it over and over Attempting to start the car while it is submerged can cause water intrusion which can prove to be very expensive to fix If the vehicle does not start up in a couple of cranks it is best to slot into neutral and push the car to the left of the road It is imperative you do this so as to avoid inconvenience to other motorists6 Dry the brakesIn wet conditions it is natural for the brakes to lose their effectiveness It is recommended you pump the brake pedal after crossing a submerged area Once you are at a complete standstill press the brake pedal a few times to dry the brakes off Remember to do this right before you set off in case your parking got flooded overnightBonus Do NOT splash waterThis is common courtesy but well mention it anyway Do not bother pulling to the side of the road just to splash water on innocent pedestrians Slow down when you see a puddle ndashbe considerate This not only earns you good karma but also lets you avoid nasty potholes that are usually masked by a layer of waterSo there you have it A handy guide to driving safe in the monsoon So grab those keys and head out to a nearby hill station Dont forget the windcheaters gumboots and the roasted corn Drive safeAlso read on cardekhocom