Safety guide to your vehicle during monsoon
The onset
of rain brings joy and comfort from the scorching heat; you wake up to the
sound of raindrops on your windowpane. A long drive is on your mind, your bags
are packed and you are ready to hit the highway with your friends or family but
when a sudden thunderstorm hits, you find yourself stuck in traffic jams,
facing unavoidable and stressful situations. Overall, there are three things
that increase the risk of vehicular accidents during rainy days: decreased
visibility, reduced traction and how other motorists behave on the road. While
you cannot do much about the reckless driving of others, here is some helpful
advice to ensure you stay safe while driving in the rain:
First
things first, always inspect your vehicle. Walk around your car.
Check for fluid leaks, busted lights and loose wires. Test your tyre pressure
and wheel alignment. Check your radiator. Do not just jump into the driver’s
seat and drive away. Address any car problem before you leave your parking
space.
Check the
wiper blades and Keep the windshield clean. Check the condition of your car wiper blades, Wash
your windows and remove the dust and smudges. Invest in 100% Silicone
wiper blades and windshield washer so you’ll have clear vision even
in heavy rain. Good vision is the first rule in safe driving.
Exercise
utmost caution when it’s raining. Road conditions during stormy weather may confuse
you. Drive a bit more slowly so you can react better to road conditions and
what other motorists will do on the road.
Anticipate
when you need to make a full stop. Wet brakes are troublesome because they won’t
work even if you step on them. Step on the brakes lightly even if you’re still
some distance away. Then increase pressure gradually till you make a complete
stop. After going through a puddle, step on your brakes repeatedly to dry your
rotors. This will prevent you from skidding or losing control.
Don’t
tailgate. Make
sure you can always see the tail lights of the car in front of you. Better yet,
make it a habit to see the whole car in front of you up to the bottom of its
rear tyres. You need distance to react to what the car in front of you will do.
Tail gating even when it’s not raining is a bad idea.
Use your
lights and signals. As soon
as it starts to rain, turn on your head lights. If you can’t see the road
ahead, turn on your hazard lights. Play it safe and honk your horn when passing
another vehicle.
Protect
your under belly. Floods,
mud and splashes, if left alone, will cause rust to form in your car and hamper
your car’s performance. Rust proof your car and make sure you do this
regularly. Spray a rust-inhibiting chemical on the underside and other
rust-prone areas. It may cost a little more, but you will prolong your
vehicle’s life and keeps it working like new. This will give you peace of mind
in the long run.
Avoid
flooded areas if you can. Turn on your FM radio to know where the floods and traffic are. If for
some reason you find yourself in a flooded street, stay in the middle portion
of the road. It has the least water build-up. If flood waters are too deep, pull
over or park somewhere. Don’t risk being submerged in flood waters or have your
engine conk out.
Play it
safe by using the right tyres. Some tyre models are made specifically for rainy
weather. Use these during the monsoon season to better avoid slipping, hydro-planning,
and to get good traction on slippery terrain. Get a tyre with good traction and
that can brake well on wet surfaces. Look for models that offer better grip,
longevity and increased safety. And yes, always make sure you have an umbrella
in your car.
Tel: +603 7987 0777 / +603 7972 5554 / 016 2154 577
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