GETTING YOUR CAR READY
WITH MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN technology, modern cars are extremely reliable and require minimum attention. But that doesn’t warrant you to turn a blind eye towards your daily driver. You cannot underestimate the dire consequences of heavy rainfall either. If you check a few important things before you set out in the rains, your car can tackle sticky situations which inevitably come up. And you don’t need a mechanic to check the following things. You can do them all by yourself.
Tyres
Tyres play a key role in maintaining the intended trajectory of your car by providing grip. Tread patterns and circumferential groove profiling are designed to channel the water out from under the tyres and keep them in contact with the road. If the tread pattern is worn out, it’s imperative to get the tyres replaced. An effective old-school trick to check this is to push a coin in the tread blocks and check how far in it goes. If the coin barely sinks in, you know it’s time for a new set of rubber.
Windshield wipers
Check if the wiper blades uniformly wipe water off the windshield. If they are cracked or the rubber liners worn out, it’s time for a replacement. Many Hyundai cars even get rain-sensing wipers with an intermittent variable function that avoids the need for manual adjustment.
Headlamps, taillamps and turn indicators
The primary cause of many road accidents is compromised visibility. Rains impact visibility even further, making it difficult for you to scan the road ahead. That’s where well-functioning headlamps, taillamps and turn indicators make a difference. If any of these are not working, ensure timely replacement before heading out in the rains. Modern Hyundai cars get LED headlamps, taillamps and DRLs that provide excellent visibility in poor lighting conditions. Cars like the Grand i10 Nios and the Creta even get an emergency stop signal that flashes the taillamps frequently in case of panic braking to alert the vehicles behind. In the rain, remember to keep your lights on so that everyone around you can see you, and you have a clear view ahead. Also, never turn on hazard lights unless you are stopped at the side of the road. You need your indicators to show that you are turning/ changing lanes.
Brakes
Monsoon or not, brakes need to be in top condition at all times. In the monsoon, grip levels are low and that only
increases the braking distances of your car. Get the discs, brake pads and brake lines inspected and brake fluid levels topped up. The brakes of both our longterm Hyundai cars, the Venue and the Grand i10 Nios provide an excellent and confidence-inspiring bite.
Mud flaps
Have you ever got muddy rain water sprayed onto your helmet visor or windscreen by the vehicles ahead of you? That’s because they were not accessorised with mud flaps. Mud flaps prevent water from spraying up and helping you contribute to the safety of other motorists on the road. If the ones on your car are not intact, get them replaced as soon as possible and be a better, more responsible road user.
Check for rust
The moist and humid climate makes cars susceptible to rust. While all carmakers provide rust protection through paint or some sort of coating, scratches and dents tend to leave the bare metal exposed to air. Without paint or a protective coating, these portions risk getting rusted. Make sure to get these recoated when you go in for service.