It’s raining men!

Monsoon is a season when numbers of road accidents increase, thanks to poor visibility and, sometimes, reckless driving by people. One needs to be extra careful, as wet roads don’t easily forgive mistakes. So, we have some handy tips to help you prepare for the rains.

 

Windshield washer Tank - Ensure that the windshield washer tank has fluid. If you're filling up with water add a spot of shampoo.

Insulate your wiring Add extra insulation to the wires with duct tape to avoid short circuits and make sure all your fuses are working well.

Tyres - Tyres are the only point of contact with the road, and so one needs to look after them well. If the tyre tread is worn out get a new set. Bald tyres will not be able to dissipate water from the road and will lead to increased chances of aquaplaning. In any case the average lifespan of a tyre is four years and you should change it after that.

Spare Tyre - Ensure that your spare tyre is correctly inflated. The last thing you want is a puncture in the rain and no spare wheel to rely on.

Things to carry - One should always have drinking water and some nibblies in the car. Heavy rains may result in waterlogging, which in turn, can lead to massive traffic jams. And of course, don't forget the brolly.

Battery terminals - Apply some petroleum jelly on the battery terminals to avoid rusting.

Air con - Always use air-conditioning to avoid the windows and the windshield from fogging up.

Wiper blades - Though often neglected, wiper blades are crucial to safe driving in the rain. Typically, the life of a wiper blade is about a year. But the heat of Indian summers hardens the rubber on them, resulting in scratches on the windshield and reduced visibility. Replace them every monsoon and you'll get by without too much trouble.

Driving through water - Try and avoid having to drive through water as much as possible. If you have no choice then do so in a low gear at high revs. Stay on the throttle to prevent water from entering the exhaust.

Hazard light - Use the hazard when you're stationary. Try not to use them on the move just because it's raining heavily.