The monsoon season has begun in India, and the IMD has forecasted above-average rain this year. While this is good news for everyone, it is inconvenient for drivers. Driving during heavy rains is not an easy task for everyone, and adding waterlogged roads on top makes it even more difficult. As a result, we've compiled a list of 10 important tips for driving during the monsoon season in India.

Top 10 Tips for Driving During The Monsoon Season

The best advice for driving during heavy rains is to not drive at all. However, we all know that is not possible; as a result, we have created a list of tips for driving during the rainy season in India, which includes both car maintenance and how to drive in various situations to reduce the risks. It's best to check the weather forecast before going out, but in the event of sudden rain, we've included some tips to help you deal with it.

With the context set, here is a list of 10 tips for driving during heavy rain in India:

1. Check windshield wipers

This one is kind of obvious, but check that your wipers are in working condition and are cleaning properly. Inspect that the wipers are working at all speeds and observe for faults. These may include noise, smears and cracks along the windshield wiper surface. If they show any sign of damage, it's best to get them fixed before the rainy season begins. Driving in the rain with no wipers is akin to driving blind, so ensure they are in good condition.

2. Check headlights

The first thing that goes out the window during the rainy season is visibility. No sunlight paired with pouring rain reduces your line of sight, increasing the risk of an accident. Headlights are crucial to alleviate this issue. Bright headlights ensure the way is lit and increase your view of the road. Lights also alert other drivers on the road to your presence, so make sure your headlights and fog lights are operational before driving in heavy rain.

Also, remember to use hazard lights if you need to stop on the road, but not while driving. Hazard lights normally indicate a stationary vehicle, and if visibility is poor, they may confuse the driver behind you.

3. Check tyre health

Heavy rains equal wet roads, and wet roads equal less friction. While you may have learnt that friction is the opposing force, we still need it to ensure that the car steers in the direction you want rather than where it wants. Most cars now have technology to prevent slipping on bad roads, but they still require ‘healthy’ tyres. This is where the tyre treads come in. They ensure that dust, grime and water are removed, resulting in a proper grip. As such, the tread depth of your tyres should be deep enough to deal with the aforementioned agents.

To quickly check the depth of your treads, insert a coin into one. The deeper the coin goes, the better your treads. Keep in mind that the test is only a quick home check, and if you have any concerns about the health of your tyres, you should have them checked at a service centre.

4. Maintain a safe driving distance during heavy rains

If you have the above actions sorted, you should have no issues with visibility and traction. However, we would still advise you to drive slowly and maintain a safe distance from other cars. A wider gap gives you more time to react in case an incident occurs.

While maintaining a safe distance, you can also observe the car in front of you. This efficiently increases your line of sight because you can react to their actions. If they slow down, let go of the throttle; if they accelerate, gradually increase yours as well; and hard braking is a no-brainer. Throughout the process, keep a safe distance from them so that you can respond to any sudden changes.

5. Be wary of standing water

Waterlogged roads are a common sight while driving during the monsoon season. The majority of these are shallow and harmless, but don't take them at face value. Water can easily hide a deep hole, and driving through one recklessly will hydrolock your engine. Hydroclock is a term used to describe engine chambers that are filled with water. Hydrolock makes it impossible for the piston to compress air and fuel in the chamber, effectively killing the engine.

In case your car gets stuck in a deep puddle, do not start the engine. Instead, pull the car out of the water first and then try to run it. This process can likely reduce the damage done to your engine due to hydrolocking.

6. Keep driving if submerged

Let's assume you thought the water was not that deep and drove through it. When you realise the water may be too deep, do not stop. Drive slowly through the water and keep the revs high (1st or 2nd gear). Under no circumstance should you stop moving. These steps will help but cannot guarantee a safe wade across the water.

Constantly driving through deep water ensures that water cannot enter the engine through the exhaust pipe. Please note that the water can still enter the engine through the air intake, so it's best to avoid driving in water in the first place.

7. Clearing brakes

Water entering brakes is another possibility during monsoon season. One of the telltale signs of wet brake pads is a screeching noise during braking. This is more common in drum brakes than disc but can happen to both. Tapping the brakes causes friction, which in turn heats them up and helps get rid of any water stuck in them. Wet brakes will increase stopping distance and can lock up if the car does not have ABS.

Speaking of ABS, make sure they are working. Not only does ABS prevent the car from slipping while braking, but it also shortens the braking distance during slippery road conditions. Every car in India sold after 2019 comes with ABS, so make sure yours is working before you drive during monsoon season.

8. Drive slowly during heavy rains

Driving slowly is the most common tip for driving during monsoon season. Cruising at a slow speed gives you more control over the vehicle and more time to react. Wet roads and high speeds make it easy to lose traction and, in turn, lose control.

If you feel like the steering wheel isn't responding and the revs are increasing, you may be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when there is a layer of water between the tyres and the road. In this case, gently apply brakes and let go of the accelerator while driving in a straight line. Your instinct might be to slam on the brakes, but doing so will cause the vehicle to slip.

9. Avoid cruise control

Driving during heavy rains requires full control over the accelerator and brakes. As discussed earlier, there might be cases where you need to let go of the throttle to slow the car down. If you are using cruise control, it's not possible. It's better to drive without it during monsoon season to ensure you have full control of the car.

10. Car service before monsoon season

Getting a pre-monsoon checkup and service of your car can help you spot issues before they become a major problem. A checkup will ensure that your batteries, lighting, brakes, and wheels are in top condition and can be repaired if necessary. Take your vehicle to an authorised service centre or a trusted mechanic so they can have a look at your car and prepare it for the monsoon season.

Following these 10 important tips for driving during the monsoon season will ensure you are driving safely. Always check the weather conditions and forecasts before driving. Avoid sudden manoeuvres when driving in heavy rains and don't let panic set in. Maintaining control of your vehicle at all times will give you confidence, which will let you easily drive in heavy rains.