JUST like the dry season, the wet season can be harsh to your car. Although the key in keeping your car in tip-top condition, whether in the dry or in the wet, is to follow the preventive-maintenance schedule (PMS) as prescribed by the car’s manufacturer.
Unfortunately, for one reason or another, car owners sometimes miss their regular PMS. That’s why it would still be nice to know what to do in case you fail to take your car to the shop on the appointed date, especially during the wet months. In case your warranty has run out or you are unable to visit the casa on schedule, here are some tips that will help you keep your car in shape during the monsoon season.
The exterior
Inspect your tires. Make sure that it still has a good thread depth to properly displace water when driving in the rain. Also check for signs of uneven wear and tear that could be signs of other problems.
Memorize the normal noises that your car makes. If you hear something that you’ve never heard before, go to a reputable shop and have your car checked because as they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Check your hoses and belts, especially if you haven’t replaced any of them yet. Look for signs of cracks and fraying, have the worn item replaced immediately. There is nothing worse than suffering problems related to those parts in a heavy downpour.
Have your air conditioner checked for any signs or problems, especially if your car is old. Although, it is more livable inside a car during the wet season as it is cooler than in the summer—it might pose a problem when it’s raining hard, as moisture will form on your windshield when the air conditioner is not working.
Periodically inspect your wipers front and rear (if your car is equipped with one). Damaged or worn wiper blades will not be efficient at doing its job when it’s raining. This will reduce your visibility and could lead to an accident.
Your headlights, fog lamps and tail lights are very important during the monsoon season, as you need to switch them on in a heavy downpour. Regularly check if they’re working properly. Ask someone to step on the brakes while you check if the brake lights are working. Make sure that the high and low beams of your headlights are working fine, especially the low beam, as it will blind oncoming traffic if you only have high beams on when it’s drizzling.
Have your brakes cleaned, especially if you always drive on flooded streets to prevent them from locking. While at it, also have the brake pads inspected to make sure that they are still thick enough. Check for frayed or exposed wires and cover them with electric tape, as this may cause some electrical problems when it gets wet.
Don’t forget to check what’s underneath your chassis. Look for chips on the factory sprayed coating that may be a cause of rusting. It is a good idea to have it resprayed with fresh coat of anti-rust protection if your car is more than five years old.
Interior
It would be a good idea to have an absorbent rug or towel within your reach inside the car during the rainy season, as this may come in handy in wiping wet clothing, umbrella or shoes which would otherwise add to the dampness inside the car.
If your vehicle starts to have that pungent smell, it may be a good idea to have the interior detailed or you can do it yourself by drying your wet mats and upholstery. You can also place a piece of charcoal inside the car or buy a container of dehumidifier to absorb the smell and excess moisture.
If floodwater gets inside your vehicle, depending on how bad it is, you should have the carpet removed, shampooed and dried. Because if left to dry without doing anything, the smell will remain even if you have it cleaned over and over.
If your car’s air conditioner is equipped with a pollen filter, have it checked at your dealer as mold and mildew tend to grow faster during rainy season. If you notice that you get allergies often after riding your car then you should have your air conditioner cleaned.