Staying Safe in Kerala's Monsoon - Car Rental Tips and Precautions

The monsoon season brings great relief from the summer heat. However, as soon as things cool down, you'll face constant flooding, heavy traffic, and slippery roads. 

There is a greater chance of accidents due to reduced sight and grip on the roads, especially for cars.

Worry not! With a few minor modifications to your driving style, you can prepare your car for the coming monsoon and stay safe on the roads by adhering to these maintenance and driving tips.

1. Fix the wipers

For the majority of the summer, wipers have no use. This implies that any issue with them remains hidden until they are utilized once more, often throughout heavy rainfall. Therefore, even if you are not using the wipers, check them occasionally.

Regular use can cause wiper blades to wear out quickly and cause them to stiffen up from the dust and greasy fumes. As a result, the windshield becomes unevenly cleaned and scrapes. To guarantee even wiping throughout the monsoon rainfall, a simple replacement of both wiper blades is necessary if they are not operating as they should.

When you rent a car in Kerala, make sure your wiper fluids are fully charged at all times.

The fog that collects on the windshield may affect the clarity of your vision. Direct the air conditioner's flow onto the windshield to eliminate it. 

2. Get headlight cracks repaired

Make sure the headlights, taillights, fog lamps, and brake lights on the car are in good working order during the rainy season because visibility is severely reduced. In order to prevent water from getting inside the light assemblies and causing undesired fuses, which could be dangerous for you and other commuters, look for cracks or breaks on the glass of the lights.

Make sure your headlamps are always clean. A tried-and-true method to prepare your headlamp reflectors for the monsoon is to apply toothpaste to a soft cloth, rub it all over the glass, and then wipe everything down with another moist, clean towel.

Make sure that all of the external wires for the lights and fog lamps are appropriately insulated, and keep a few extra fuses in your toolkit. These lights will definitely come to your rescue in the event of a severe downpour.

3. Service your car before the monsoon

It should go without saying. Your car faces challenges during the summer because of the intense heat and harsh sun. Therefore, it's advisable to have a professional car checkup done before driving in areas with high traffic or on wet roads. Make sure the cars you choose are well-serviced before you rent a car in Kerala. 

Make sure the car's brakes and battery are thoroughly inspected by the service center to enjoy the Kerala Monsoon Tourism to the fullest!

4. On wet roads, apply the brakes a few times

The worst affected parts of your car during the rainy season are the brakes. They frequently absorb water, which reduces their braking effectiveness. Therefore, confirm that the handbrake is operating correctly and that the brake oil level is appropriate.

In slick and rainy conditions, you might need to use the brakes suddenly. Thus, when driving through streets that are flooded, apply the brakes a few times. This produces heat within the brake rotors, aids in brake drying, and provides adequate stopping power when needed most.

5. Take cues from the car in front of you

Taking cues from the car going ahead of you is one of the simplest ways to keep your car out of difficulty during the rainy season; you've either heard of it or tried it yourself. If you see a car about your size driving and having trouble getting over a patch, don't risk it by driving ahead.

It's difficult to change your route in the thick of traffic, so on cloudy, gloomy days, try to get an early start. In addition to saving time, avoiding peak traffic increases your chances of shifting into reverse and choosing a different path in case you need to flee an extremely uncomfortable or perhaps dangerous scenario.

6. Use anti-rust spray to guard against corrosion

The metal frame of a car keeps moisture out of the inside components. An anti-corrosion treatment will assist shield the chassis from corroding moisture if your car is getting older. You can choose to apply a coating or spray underneath the car's body to prevent rust.

Get a wax coating applied because the paint may peel and fade in periods of extreme moisture and dryness. It is advised to have a wax coating applied to the car's paint before it starts to rain.

Coat the car's battery terminals: To prevent rust, lubricate the terminals with anti-corrosion lubricant.

7. Verify the tire tread depth of your car

Make sure that all of your tires—including the spare—are properly inflated and that the tread depth is kept above the manufacturer's recommended safety limit. Water is quickly dispersed from the space between the road and the tire contact patch thanks to the grooves on tires. Consequently, reduced grip and stability from a worn-out tire that is below the safety limit can cause your car to skid on wet surfaces. Change it right away.

A correctly inflated tire will guarantee the automobile has optimum momentum on slick terrain while driving in the rain, lowering the risk of skidding. While an overinflated tire will decrease the contact patch on the road, reducing the amount of grip available and raising the risk of skidding, an underinflated tire will be more likely to rupture when navigating hidden potholes. On a wet day, a correctly inflated tire will guarantee you don't get stuck on the road.

8. Fully extend the windows

Seems rather obvious, doesn't it? Surprisingly, this occurs more frequently than you might imagine, particularly when you have children with you. Even a few inches of open windows during a rainy spell can cause serious interior and seat deterioration, as well as flooding within hours.

Always check your windows to make sure they are fully rolled up when parked outside in the open. Additionally, have any window issues that prevent you from doing so be resolved before the rainy season arrives.

9. Use charcoal to get rid of allergens and bad smell

It's almost impossible to avoid muddy shoes, soggy seats, and moldy floors in your car during the monsoon. Even if you can make an effort to keep your car dry, this little-known tip can hold the secret to an odor-free car during the wet season.

Crucial Points to Keep in Mind

During the monsoon, being cautious and taking preventative measures can make all the difference in your safety when driving. Always abide by these crucial driving guidelines to protect both your vehicle and the people you love while driving.

• It is advisable to avoid driving at high speeds in order to prevent the deadly condition known as aquaplaning/hydroplaning. This is the process by which a coating of water accumulates between the tire and the road, reducing friction and perhaps causing an accident.

• Prior to entering the water, make sure your car is in first or second gear if you are unable to find any other, comparatively dry routes.

• When driving through areas of deep water or puddles, maintain a balance between the clutch and the accelerator.

• Keep a safe distance behind other cars in front of you.

• It is advisable to halt until the rain stops or becomes a drizzle if visibility is close to zero.

• It is advised to rev the engine in order to drive the water out of the exhaust.

• In low visibility, always turn on both the headlights and the rear lights. This lets you see clearly and lets other drivers on the road see your automobile.

Making sure your car is reliable and secure is essential as you drive through the monsoon season. At IndusGo, we recognize how important it is to maintain your safety when driving, particularly in bad weather. Our well-maintained self drive cars in Kerala are prepared to withstand the challenges of the monsoon. Whether you're traveling for work or touring Kerala's natural beauty, Indus Motors provides reliable cars that put your safety first. This monsoon, travel worry-free and safe by renting a self drive car in Kerala from IndusGo!