Car maintenance and driving tips during monsoon.

Car Maintenance :

• Full servicing – give your car a complete servicing i.e. oil check / change, vacuuming, washing and greasing.
• Check all tyres, including the spare one for tread wear, baldness, cracks and cuts. Replace, if necessary. Maintain correct air pressure. Have a wheel alignment / balancing done.
• Check brakes, horn, lights and electricals.
• Lubricate all door hinges.
• Replace wiper blades, if worn out/hard.
• Check battery for

              Corrosion – free terminals
              Electrolyte level and voltage

• Check proper tightness of fasteners and belts (Fan belt, etc)
• Clean / replace air and oil filters
• Wax your car.
• Install mobile battery charger in your car and ensure your FM Radio is in working condition to tune into announcements. 

Driving Tips :

• Allow for more travel time during monsoon.
• Apply brake earlier and with less force than you would normally.
• Turn on your headlights.
• Watch out for pedestrians.
• Defog your windows.
• Slow down when you are driving through still water. Even small amount can cause your vehicle to lose control.
• Be very cautious at night. It’s much harder to detect flooded areas in the dark.
• Avoid low lying areas.
• At any time your life is more precious than your car, so in case you are stuck be prepared to park and walk.
• Obey all caution signs.

In-case of Floods/Water logging :

• In a disaster- like situation instead of trying to reach home, first reach the nearest acquaintance. Try to minimize travel.
• If you must continue driving, drive slower. Leave plenty of room between you and the next vehicle. Give a truck or bus extra distance.
• Lower your window panes while driving through water logged areas.
• Put emergency contacts in your cell phone, to enable any rescuer to inform your nearest ones at the earliest.
  
• Handy things to be kept in the car :

              Hammer: to break the glass in case of an auto-lock system failure.
              Fully charged powerful torch.
              A working whistle.
              Plastic sheets and spare umbrella.
              Adequate dry, non -perishable food items.
              Adequate quantity of water.
              A well equipped emergency first aid kit with bandage, pain relief spray.
              Reflector tapes – would come very handy should your headlamp give way.