The monsoons are here! The Ford Service team in India recommends some tips to help you drive safely this monsoon.
Check your car’s condition. The brakes, steering system, tyre pressures, tyre tread depth and defroster operation should be checked regularly so that you’re ready to deal with a downpour.
Every car should have a good emergency kit. Breakdowns can be stressful. Taking a few steps in advance can save you time, emergency service costs and a headache. Have an emergency kit ready for many different situations. The kit should meet your individual needs and be equipped with items ranging from spares, torch, fuses, tyre inflators, to safety kits and other items to attract or provide help.
Make sure that your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. If the blades are brittle or damaged, replace them before the rains begin. Allow sufficient wetting of the windscreen prior to using the wipers to avoid scratching of the windscreen owing to dry wipe.
Use the windshield washer fluid as recommended by the manufacturer. Using a blend of water and washer fluid will clean the windscreen more effectively than washing with plain water.
Tyre pressures: Maintain correct cold tyre pressures as recommended in the owner’s manual for different loads. This is even more critical for monsoon conditions since the traction is paramount for vehicle stability.
Windscreen fogging: Use the de-frost mode with AC ON, in fresh air mode to clear the windscreen of condensation whenever the windscreen gets fogged up. Also use the rear heated window option, if present, since rear visibility improves. Refer to the owner’s manual for usage.
Drive carefully! Pay attention to your speed and check your tyres. At high speeds, the rains create a fine sheet of water between the tyre and the road surface, which can cause the driver to lose control. This phenomenon is known as ‘aqua-planing’ and is aggravated by excessively worn tyres. Check the tyre tread depth (in the TWI area) and confirm that the depth is within the minimum allowance. The tyre tread helps in throwing out excessive water between the tyre and road ensuring adequate grip.
Keep the headlights on. When driving in rain, switch the headlights on at a low beam. It will increase your visibility and allow other drivers to notice you from a distance.
Avoid abrupt braking. Brake smoothly. If you push the brake pedal to the limit, the car will probably slip. It is preferable to come to a lower speed before coming to a complete halt.
Drive cautiously and maintain a good distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Do not follow large buses or trucks too closely. The spray from their rear wheels will
block vision. It also takes longer for a vehicle to stop on wet/ slippery surfaces.
Avoid deep pools of water. You never know what is under water. Besides, if you drive into a pool at full speed there is a possibility of serious damage to the bumper or radiator. Moreover, a wave of water may hit the engine, causing it to stop.
Braking after wading through deep pools of water: When driving through water logged sections, water adheres to the brake discs/drums and tends to act as a
lubricant, hence increasing stopping distance. After negotiating a water logged patch, apply the brakes gently a couple of times when the vehicle is in motion to dry the brakes out and restore full functionality of the brakes.
Always be alert for stop signs and things blocking the road. Never drive through flooded and unfamiliar places, turn around and look for another route.
Drive slowly through water. Where water has flooded on the road, drive very slowly. Do not drive through moving water if you cannot see the ground through it. Stop the car before entering the flooded area and check the water level ahead. Generally, if the water is deeper than the bottom of your doors or the bottom third of your wheels, do not drive through it.
When stuck in mud or slush, shift to first or second gear and accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the wheels. The vehicle could get embedded deeper in the sludge.