Between two parts of the Indian Summers, comes a brief spell of respite. After a long spell of sweltering heat, the showers unleash a lot of adventure in most of us. Sunroofs open, windows down, motorbikes out – Isn’t that how a lot of us spend the season of relief? But while we jiggle our keys and get out to soak in the greenness that’s been restored, there are a few things (like your vehicle’s overall health) that are to be taken very, VERY seriously. Lets talk some more about the mean machines and how they’re to be treated at this time of the year!
1) Taking care of your vehicles:
During the monsoons, you should take special care to ensure that your vehicles are well oiled and taken care of. Tyres should be well kept and rickety ones should be changed before the Rain God lashes down upon you. You should also cover your bike with a proper sized cover to avoid rusting, if your garage doesn’t have a pucca shed.
In case you’re driving a car, make sure your wipers are in top notch condition. Its a good idea to change your wipers every year to keep the underside of the wiper new. This also allows the wiper to glide smoothly over your windshield and doesn’t leave scratches. If you are out for a road trip, this is all the more essential. Also keep the washing wipe liquid filled to the brim at all times.
Use anti-rust paint on the underside of the car to prevent rainwater and mud from causing rusting to your car or motorbike’s body. Wash your vehicles regularly and keep them clean. Nothing spoils a car in a more surefire way than leaving the dirt on.
2) Braking Troubles:
Brakes face the most part of the wroth of the monsoons. This season often causes water to seep into your brakes and significantly reduces braking power and efficacy. Try and avoid making your vehicle wade into deep waters, or better still, get mud flaps to protect your car from getting invaded by rainwater.
3) Motor Insurance:
The monsoons are a glorious time for car breakdowns, brake failures and the worst of all, accidents because of the low visibility and overall darkness all around. To save your pockets from the blow of a car gone angry, Motor Insurance is crucial. Having said that, Motor Insurance is a pretty tricky bit. While it is absolutely essential to have it, make sure you know before time what the exclusions and inclusions exactly are. You don’t want to be running around for a claim on your vehicle, which the insurance company may not be prepared to give you. Like they say, Know Your Insurance beforehand!
Motor insurance includes:
- Loss or damage by way of accidents, theft, burglary , housebreaking or any malicious intent. Damage by fire, lightning, self ignition, explosion (externally) are also covered by motor insurance.
- Loss of life or liability for a paid driver or damage to a third party property.
- Damage to electrical and electronic accessories is covered under payment of additional premium
BUT,
Motor Insurance excludes the following:
- Damage from war or nuclear perils, drunken/inebriated driving
- When the vehicle is used outside its geographical boundary.
- Depreciation, electronic or mechanical breakdown is not included in insurance.
4) Motor Safety:
- Clean your visors regularly. Monsoons tends to make your visors retain a lot of dirt and often turns them to mud. Cleaning visors ensures safe transit in most cases.
- Avoid riding on waterlogged roads. The water may end up damaging your vehicles and slow down your braking time, so be very careful about waterlogging. Also, avoid speeding on clogged roads as this may prove to be all the recipe you need for disaster.
- Check tyre pressure levels on your vehicle. Low tyre pressure causes accidents, all the more during monsoons.
5) Driving hacks:
- One way to make sure that you have a safe ride is to ensure visibility. So while you may not be able to look too far, if you wear bright-colored clothes, other drivers might see and avoid collision.
- As an extra safety measure, make sure you wear knee pads and elbow pads to protect yourself.