Aquaplaning explained
of water and wiper fluid that is used to clean road spray off the glass. You can also spray a bit of WD40 on the windshield to improve its water-repelling properties. Ensure to check the rubber lining of the doors. If they are damaged or coming loose or getting out of shape, it’s advisable to replace them because water seepage through the lining can damage the window winding mechanism. Also, don’t forget to check the boot lid lining because any water entering the boot will stagnate at the bottom of the boot floor resulting in rusting.
Keep the tyres well maintained. If the tread has worn out, the most sensible thing to do is to change them. Bald tyres lead to drastic reduction in traction on wet surfaces. They will be also prone to aquaplaning. It happens when a thin film of water gets trapped between the road surface and tyre in the absence of grooves causing a sudden loss of grip that can send the car into an uncontrollable spin. Braking efficiency is greatly reduced as well. The minimum depth on the tyre tread should be 2-3mm.
Most people make the cardinal mistake of rushing through a stagnant pool of water. If you try to drive through a standing pool of water at high speed, it creates a bigger a splash increasing the chances of water entering the engine through the air intake. This can cause serious damage to the engine resulting in hefty repair bills.
The most sensible thing is to follow the path taken by the car ahead as it will give you an idea of what lies ahead. The ideal way of wading through is to put the car in first gear and accelerate gently maintaining a constant speed. Allowing the revs to
Your car bears the brunt of the monsoons. Put in the effort to prepare your car and if you follow these tips, you can be pretty sure that you won’t face any problems when it pours. Apart from the tips below, it’s advisable to give the underbody of the car an anti-rust treatment every couple of years. It can cost anywhere between Rs 3,000-4,500 but is worth it. Also, a wax coating to the body of the car will reduce the chances of rusting to a great extent.
REPLACE WORN OUT
TYRES. ON WET SURFACES THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN
TRACTION
drop will result in water entering the exhaust. Attempt to cross only if the water level is six inches below the air inlet and the tailpipe. After crossing the watery patch, rev the engine a bit so that any water that might have entered the tailpipe gets expelled by the exhaust gases. If you feel that water has entered the engine switch it off instantly.
Brakes too lose bite when brake pads and brake shoes get wet. This happens because water acts as a lubricant reducing the amount of bite. To dry the brakes look for an empty patch of road and brake hard to expel any water that might be trapped between the disc and brake pads. If you feel that your car is aquaplaning, remember not to panic. Lift your foot off the throttle gently and press the brakes lightly.
Ensure you carry a warning triangle, a spare set of light bulbs, fuses, a tow rope and an umbrella. An umbrella might seem like an odd piece of kit, but it will be very handy in case you need to step out of the car to fix any problems.