It is that time of the year when the heavens open up and everything turns green. With the arrival of the monsoons though also comes the advent of clear and present danger on the road that could in fact be staring you in your face and you won’t even notice! Here are a few simple things to take a look at even before you start driving to keep motoring safe and enjoy the rains to the fullest.
1. Tires: First and foremost, tires must be in good shape with enough tread depth. The tread pattern on your tires is the single most important thing in the rains that can keep you safely on the roads. Water on the tarmac gets expelled from under the tires through the treads and prevents aquaplaning. Make sure the tyre treads are deep enough by simply using a coin and checking if the depth is within safe limits – usually 3-5mm. Also check for cracks in Tyre sidewalls and shoulders.
2. Suspensions & Related Parts: If your suspensions and related parts are worn out or making noise, chances are it may cause irreparable damage to the car while driving through potholes. It may also cause accidents. Get you suspensions and allied parts checked and replaced if required.
3. Service: Make sure your car is serviced and all oil and fluid levels are up to the mark. A breakdown on the road in the rains can be dangerous.
4. Washer Wiper: Wipers have to be of good quality. Between two monsoons, wiper blades become hard and get coated with traffic film from oily fumes and dust from road. The windscreen itself may be oily due to traffic film. The later two can be cleaned with soap solution. Lastly, check whether the wash wipe system is in working order. Do not forget to put two teaspoonful of liquid detergent in washer fluid. Once you are convinced that the wash wipe system is okay, do have a working trial.
5. Lights: The lights which seem okay in scanner may be inadequate in monsoon because wet roads absorb light and visibility suffers to a great extent. Lighting must be checked for brightness and correct pattern. Always use good quality bulbs. If inherently the lights are bad, do have auxiliary lights fitted – yellow lights give a better contrast. Fog lights cover only the kerbs and not distant objects.
6. Mud Flaps: When you’re driving, what you leave behind your car is as essential as what you’re driving into. No one likes driving behind a car that is spraying a lot of muddy water and, more importantly, that can be quite dangerous as well. Make sure you fit mud flaps on all four wheels before you start off. After all, driving safely also means driving responsibly.
7. Defensive Driving: Drive very cautiously especially when two wheeler riders are around who are prone to skidding. Stay away from large trucks or trailers. In heavy rains, it is advisable to pull at a safe place and wait for the heavy downpour to subside and restart the journey.
8. Plan Ahead: In heavy rains and flooding, traffic jams, breakdowns of heavy vehicles are very much expected. Plan your journey much ahead if you are scheduled to take a flight or a train.
9. Do not drive in areas where it is flooded. It may cause immense damage to the car engine, electronics and electricals. The cost of repairs of such damages are huge and are not covered by insurance.
10. Sanitize your cars yourselves at regular intervals. Read this article to know how:http://expressautocare.in/cleaning-disinfecting-your-car-interiors/
Finally DRIVE SLOWLY! It doesn’t matter if you reach your destination late. What matters is the safety of you and your family and that of others on the road.
Happy rainy motoring!
Team EXPRESS AUTOCARE.
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