Brace up for the monsoon challenges

caution

Aren’t we all craving for the monsoon season to aid us from the scorching heat wave across the country? I am sure the answer would be an affirmative across all citizens, be it across rural or urban households.

As soon as the monsoon surfaces, the usual impromptu weekend plans to a nearby hill station, takes centre stage among discussions within social groups be it a family, office peers and friend circle. In such scenarios, the family vehicle becomes the preferred mode of commuting.

In our sheer excitement to immediately move out from the bustling city life to a relaxed environment, we often tend to ignore or pay less attention to the fitness of your vehicle to embrace the new season.

The procrastination or ignorance towards the fitness of the car, often leads to uncertain dangerous events being encountered during the journey. This seasonal event not only cause damages to the vehicle but also endangers the life of other occupants of the vehicle.

To avoid any unfavourable incidents or break-down of your vehicle during the journey, it is recommendable to have the fitness of your vehicle introspected before the onset of the monsoon season. To help you run-through some fundamental points, we have prepared a check-list for vehicle owners to take cognisance, before they embark on their journey on the road, irrespective of the weekend plan or daily commuting by their vehicle. 

*Car Servicing – This is the most significant action which every car owner should initiate before the onset of monsoon. A visit to a service station and ensuring the car is being meticulously checked is essential.  Replenish or Top-up the essential mechanical oils for ensuring seamless functioning of the engine and brakes. Do not forget to check the coolant level too. Get the vehicle checked for any visible leakages from the roof as well as from below the vehicle body.

*Tyre Care – Check whether the set of tyres have been worn out due to excessive usage of the vehicle. Also opt for a wheel alignment test to be conducted. This will prevent your car from slipping on a wet road. Appropriate tyre pressure will ensure a smooth drive. Do not forget to check the pressure as well as the condition of the spare tyre in your car.

*Paint Protect – You wouldn’t want the sheen of your colour to fade away. The erratic wet and dry spell during the monsoon season causes the paint of your vehicle to fade and sometimes peel. If possible, have a wax coating applied to the body of the car before the rains set in.

*Corrosion Free — Moisture due to rains can cause havoc to the metal frame of the vehicle. To avoid erosion and corrosion to the body vehicle, opt for anti-corrosion work to be done on the vehicle for safeguarding the vehicular body.

*Lights and Wiper – Non-functional headlights and signal indicators can cause accidents. Ensure all the commands of signaling are functional, including parking lights. Get the wiper checked by the mechanic for all slow and high functionality. Include the rear wiper in your check-list too, if you vehicle has one.

*Internal Accessories — Your wet attire or footwear’s, bring along foul smell to circulate in the car. Have a car freshener to fight the foul smell away. Also check whether your floor mats are in good shape and not torn. If possible protect your expensive seat covers with necessary towels.

*Vehicle Parking – Rains are the leading cause for trees being uprooted and damaging property and vehicle during the season. Make an attempt to find an open parking area that is not vulnerable to endanger your vehicle from fallen tree. Avoid parking your vehicle on an uphill road. Sometimes, the current of the water flowing downhill is so intense, that it might force the car to move along with it. If you have no options left but to park the car on a slope, ensure you pull the lever of your hand-brake before getting out the vehicle.

*Motor Insurance Details – With insurance companies introducing various valued added services (VAS) for motor customers over and above the standard motor insurance cover, it is imperative to keep the contact details of the insurance company/broker handy for quick service to be attended, while you are stranded in the middle of the road.

Insurance companies have now started offering road side assistance (RSA) add-on cover, which effectively supports the customer when he/she is stranded on the road with the vehicle due to unforeseen circumstances. The services provided under the RSA cover include, towing your vehicle to the nearest garage, fuel supply, battery jump start and flat tyre replacement.

Apart from logistic support, the RSA cover also extends reimbursement towards alternate mode of transport and lodging expenses at a nearby hotel. When opting for an add-on cover of such nature, do study the scope of services you are entitled to.

Over and above the point mentioned in the article, it is advisable to refrain from driving your vehicle in water clogged areas or starting the engine of the vehicle when it is partially submerged in water.

On doing so, you are avoiding a major setback towards the damage to the engine of your vehicle. Water ingression in the engine leads to complete seizure on the functioning of the engine.

Damage to the engine due to water ingression is not covered under any Standard Comprehensive Motor Policy. However, on opting for certain add-on covers, a vehicle owner can minimise the financial outflow towards engine repairs.

(The author is Head – Corporate Planning, Operations, Customer Service and Product Development at Universal Sompo General Insurance Company)

Our vehicles are well-protected against rains.
However, during rains, it is recommended not to drive your car in the area where the water level is more. One should not park the vehicle in low-lying areas where the chances of water intrusion in the vehicle are high. Also it is advised not to park the vehicle in damp and poorly-ventilated areas, as it may accelerate corrosion at damaged areas. Have a 17-point monsoon fit
checkup done at an MSIL authorised workshop.
MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA SPOKESPERSON

Tata Motors has rolled out a nationwide comprehensive check-up service camp. Starting from July 15, going up to July 21, 2016, across 533 workshops in 285 cities, customers can avail benefits offered on tyres and batteries, apart from labour, lubes, parts and safe monsoon driving tips. These offers are accompanied by other benefits, including a free top wash, 40-point comprehensive vehicle check-up, up to
Rs 1,000 off on battery replacement (inclusive of buy back)
 and special offers on roadside assistance policy.
TATA MOTORS SPOKESPERSON

The Toyota dealer will inspect and
recommend right car care product from wide range of treatments available. To mention a few, rust prevention treatment, underbody treatment, exterior and interior enrichment, anti-bacterial interior cleaning, HVAC unit anti-bacterial treatment, etc.
N Raja
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Director and Senior
Vice President (Sales and Marketing)