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Monsoon Car Driving Tips: While on one hand the monsoon season brings relief from the scorching heat, on the other hand it also creates many big challenges for the car drivers. Heavy rains, water logging on roads, slippage due to mud and reduced visibility due to fog on windshield—all these factors significantly increase the risk of road accidents.
In such difficult circumstances, some modern and safety features provided in your car not only make your journey easier but also protect the life of you and your family. However, due to lack of awareness, many people remain unaware of the correct use of these features. Let us know about those 6 most important features of the car, which can be very useful for you during rainy days:
1. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) – Controls the vehicle in slippery conditions
During rain, a thin layer of water forms on the roads, which is called hydroplaning. In this situation, if you suddenly apply sharp brakes, the wheels of the car get locked and the car starts sliding uncontrollably.
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How does it work: ABS prevents the wheels from locking during sudden braking and applies the brakes intermittently.
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Correct use: Do not remove your foot from the pedal during panic braking in the rain. Let the ABS do its job and just focus on maintaining control by turning the steering wheel in the right direction.
2. ESC or ESP (Electronic Stability Control) – Prevent rollover on turns
When you turn the car on a sharp turn on wet roads, the risk of the car oversteer or understeer i.e. losing balance and overturning is highest.
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How does it work: With the help of ESC, the computer senses that the vehicle is deviating from its intended direction. It activates instantly and automatically applies brakes to one or two wheels individually, bringing the car back on track.
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Importance: This feature helps in avoiding fatal accidents especially while driving at high speed on expressways or highways.
3. Rain-Sensing Wipers – Will not divert attention from the road
In heavy rain, repeatedly increasing or decreasing the wiper speed manually can distract the driver’s attention, which can be dangerous on the highway.
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How does it work: Sensors installed on the windshield sense the intensity of rain drops. The wipers turn on automatically as soon as it starts raining and automatically adjust their speed if the rain is heavy or slow. Due to this, the driver’s entire attention remains focused only on driving.
4. Rear defogger and ORVM defogger – Clears fog in minutes
During the rainy season, due to the difference in temperature inside and outside the car, moisture i.e. fog accumulates on the interior mirrors and outside side mirrors (ORVM).
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Correct use: Press the ‘Defogger’ button given on the dashboard. The rear defogger removes fog by heating thin wires on the rear mirror, while the ORVM defogger keeps the side mirrors clear, so you can clearly see the vehicles coming from behind.
5. Traction Control System (TCS) – Prevents wheel spin in mud and water
When you try to move the car on a muddy road, hill or a road filled with excessive water, due to the excessive power of the engine, the wheels start spinning rapidly at one place, due to which the car gets stuck.
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How does it work: TCS detects excessive wheel spin and reduces engine power to that particular wheel or applies partial braking. This gives the tire better grip on the road and the car moves forward easily.
6. Rear parking camera and 360-degree camera – helpful in tight spaces
When the rear window gets completely blocked due to heavy rain and fog, it becomes impossible to park the car or reverse it from a narrow lane.
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Important advice: At such times, the 360-degree view or rear camera visible on the infotainment screen becomes your biggest help. However, before starting the journey, make sure to wipe the camera lens with a clean cloth once you go out, because the mud or water drops accumulated on it can give you wrong or blurry picture on the screen.