Monsoon Car Care Checklist: Rain Repellent, Wipers & More

Introduction

Monsoon has covered all clear skies with dark clouds, humid weather, the roads become wet, and all you crave is a long monsoon drive. The season feels perfect for chai-pakora and a long drive, but your car wipers will be working overtime; while you enjoy the raindrops and cosiness, your car needs a little extra prep to handle the season.

A few quick checks like the windshield, tyre health, brakes and battery can make the season of rain and haze a lot easier for your four-wheelers. Still confused where to start and what to change? Here’s a complete Monsoon car care checklist so that your vehicle becomes road-ready before the next downpour.

What should I check on my car before monsoon season?

Before the skies turn cloudy and rain pours in, your car needs a seasonal onset check. Just as you take care of a few things like umbrellas and raincoats for yourself. Similarly, your car too needs a few check-ups to ensure monsoon endurance and safety.

• Firstly, you may check the windshield and visibility systems by looking for cracks or hardening of the rubber.
• If the wiper misses spots on the glass, then you should replace it.
• Next, you may check for the tyres by ensuring the tread depth. This should be at least 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm. Also, you must run a pressure check of tyres every week.
• Further, you may inspect your braking system, like the brake pads, shoes and rotors, to get them clean, as mud on roads might reduce friction and affect the brakes.
• Your electrical systems and batteries shouldn’t be overlooked.
• Make sure your headlights, taillights and indicators are all working fine.
• Lastly, inspect your car doors boots and underbody for rust, water seepage and moisture.

Does rain repellent spray really work on windshields?

Rain repellent for car windshield is the most ideal product for protection and visibility during the rain. While the rainwater tries to sheet across the glass, it disturbs the light, which reduces visibility and causes driving problems.

A good-quality rain repellent forms a hydrophobic layer on the glass that lets droplets slide off, increasing visibility during rainfall. This stands out as an easy preventive method during situations of cloudburst or heavy rain. For better results, it is suggested to first clean and wipe the windshield dry before applying a rain repellent coat, as a dirty or oily windshield may reduce the effectiveness of the hydrophobic bond.

However, combining the rain repellent with an efficiently performing wiper blade gives a more dependable and visible setup. A rain repellent alone can be a good visibility support, but it can never fully replace the right quality wiper blade; instead, it always needs a joint effort of Car wiper blades online India functioning on the windshield

How often should I replace my car's wiper blades?

Harsh summer heat, environmental dust and UV exposure may harden or crack the rubber naturally over time. And slowly, while the monsoon arrives, these weakened blades fail to wipe the rainwater effectively, thus compromising visibility.

However, you should replace your car’s wiper blade every 6 to 12 months. Here are a few warning signs that your wiper needs a replacement.

• The blades leave water streaks or hazy moisture films and miss a few portions of the windshield.
• Unusual noise like squeaking or jerky vibrations indicates hardening pr the wipers rubber.
• The wipers do not glide smoothly and need multiple passes to wipe he water.

What car care products are essential for driving in the rain?

Driving your car through the rain asks for extra care as many factors like rain, winds and fog in the environment can limit visibility. Thus, monsoon calls for proactive car care to manage waterlogging and to protect your four-wheelers from both external and internal water damage. Below are a few car care products for monsoon:

• A rain repellent for the windshield: This helps in giving clear visibility by allowing the water to slip down because of the hydrophobic layer that the rain repellent spray creates.
• Microfiber Cloth: A good quality microfiber cloth can be used for wiping the windshield, mirrors, dashboards without leaving lint, water marks or dust behind.
• Car wiper blades: Keep your wiper blades in good condition as they help in cleaning the roadside mud, rainwater and other roadside sprays and clear the glass evenly and become one of the best car accessories for rainy season.
• Rust cleaners: continuous exposure to water, mud and moisture on the metal surface build-up rust gradually. But if you use a good rust cleaner frequently on the early rust, it may help keep your car’s metal parts clean.
• Tyre care products: Tyres need extra attention during the rainy season, like checking the air pressure and using other tyre care products to keep them clean and maintained.

Can I apply rain repellent at home myself?

Application of rain repellent is not easy like spraying a perfume or deodorant but also isn’t a sort of heavy rocket science. All you need to do is follow the below 5 steps to apply it nicely:

Step 1: wash the windshield or the glass thoroughly with soapy water or a glass cleaner and dry it completely with a good microfiber cloth.

Step 2: Make sure you keep your four-wheeler in the shade, away from directly sunlight so that the bond does not evaporate before getting fixed.

Step 3: Now spray the rain repellent on a micro fibre, clean applicator or a sponge and start applying it on the windshield in a circular motion across the entire surface.

Step 4: Let the coating dry completely for at least 5 to 10 minutes until a light cloudy layer appears on the windshield.

Step 5: Now use a lint free dry microfiber cloth to dab away the light cloudy layer until it becomes crystal clear.

How do I stop my windshield from fogging up in the rain?

Windshield fogging during rain is very common. It usually happens when warm, humid air inside meets the glass that cools from rain outside. To prevent this, you may use the front defogger, or you may even switch on the AC to dehumidify the inside air.

Along with the AC, four-wheelers also have a fresh air mode that you can switch on to defog the windshield. Also, avoid keeping moist raincoats, umbrellas, and other wet items inside the car to prevent moisture buildup.

In addition to directing airflow toward the windshield from inside, keep the windshield free of oil and grease, as they make fogging more noticeable. Your car wiper blade needs to be in good condition, for which you can use a good rain repellent to help water move away from the glass.

What's the difference between rain repellent and regular glass cleaner?

Both the rain repellent and the regular glass cleaner work efficiently on the windshield, but both of them serve a different purpose. The key difference between them is cleaning versus protection.

A regular glass cleaner is made for daily and frequent cleaning of glass; it helps in removing dust, dirt, grease and fingerprints. It works by improving visibility, keeping the glass clear. This does not form a clean protective layer but instead simply gives your glass good care.

Rain repellent forms a thin protective layer that ripples or pulls away the water droplets from the windshield instead of simply cleaning the surface. This helps provide better visibility, even during heavy rain.

FAQs

How long does one application of rain repellent spray last?

Depending on the product and driving conditions, one application usually lasts weeks to months.

Is rain repellent safe to use on tinted windshields?

Yes, rain repellent is completely safe because it is applied strictly to the exterior glass surface, whereas automotive window tint film is installed on the interior side of the windshield.

How do I know when my wiper blades need replacing?

Replace them if they leave streaks, squeak across the glass, make unusual noises or fail to clear rain evenly.

Can rain repellent be used on side mirrors and windows too?

Yes, a few rain repellents are suitable for side windows and mirrors, but always check the product label before applying them to other glass surfaces.

Does using a de-fogger spray reduce the need for AC while driving in rain?

A de-fogger spray may help reduce the need for AC as it breaks the moisture on the windshield and helps in better evaporation.