Car Care Tips for Rainy Season to Ensure Safety and Comfort

Taking care of your car during the rainy season is crucial because extreme weather conditions can have negative impacts on your vehicle. Considering that the dry season is expected to end by late October, it's a good idea to find out what maintenance your vehicle needs during this period.

 

Although El Nino is predicted to continue until 2024, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) states that Indonesia's extreme dry season will soon come to an end. Currently, Indonesia is experiencing an intense dry season with drier and hotter weather than usual.

 

Nevertheless, according to the head of BMKG, the extreme dry season is expected to conclude in most parts of Indonesia by the end of October. The rainy season will gradually begin in early November 2023. (Source: www.cnbcindonesia.com)

 

To keep your car's performance optimal when the rainy season arrives, several maintenance steps need to be taken. Before we explain what these steps are, let's first understand why taking care of your car during the rainy season is important.

 

Why Should You Maintain Your Car During the Rainy Season?

1. Enhances driving safety

Wet and slippery roads can be dangerous for drivers. Therefore, it's essential to ensure your car is in good condition to drive safely during the rain.

 

2. Prevents car damage

Rainwater contains acid and salt, which can damage your car if not properly maintained. Some vulnerable car components due to rain include paint, glass, and the engine.

 

3. Prevents unpleasant odors and mold

High humidity during the rainy season can cause unpleasant odors and mold growth inside the car. Maintaining the interior, such as cleaning the carpet, can prevent these issues.

 

Read Also: Preserving Your Vehicle's Peak Performance: Essential Car Maintenance Tips

 

Car Care Tips for Rainy Season:

1. Check tire and brake condition thoroughly

To ensure your safety while driving in the rain, it's important to check your tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread depth and no cracks or other damages.

 

Regularly check tire pressure as well. Insufficient air pressure can affect tire performance and reduce vehicle traction.

 

Additionally, inspect your car's braking system. Ensure that brake pads have sufficient thickness, and the brake fluid is at a safe level. A well-functioning brake system is key to avoiding dangerous situations on wet and slippery roads due to rain.

 

2. Inspect the engine condition

Rainwater can seep into the engine's crevices and cause damage. Therefore, it's essential to periodically check the engine for any signs of water leakage or rusty components.

 

Perform routine maintenance on the engine and other components as per the vehicle manual's guidelines. For optimal performance, you can have regular maintenance done at an authorized service center to ensure the authenticity of the parts used. This ensures your vehicle maintains good performance, even when frequently used during the rain.

 

3. Keep the car windows clean for clear visibility

Clean and clear windows are essential for clear visibility while driving in the rain. This is crucial for your safety on the road.

 

To maintain clean windows, use a high-quality glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to avoid scratches. Additionally, you can use an anti-fog solution. This solution helps prevent fog or mist that can obstruct your visibility when it rains.

 

Read Also: Selecting the Perfect Car Tires: Avoid Costly Mistakes!

 

4. Check wiper blades for optimal functionality

To maintain visibility while driving in rainy conditions, it's important to ensure your wiper blades are functioning properly. Therefore, provide necessary maintenance such as cleaning and refilling the wiper fluid.

 

5. Regular car wash

Rainwater contains acid and salt, which can damage your car's paint. It's essential to wash your car regularly after exposure to rain to remove dirt, as well as the acid and salt content that sticks to the surface.

You can either wash your car yourself or take it to a car wash facility. If you wash it yourself, make sure to use high-quality car wash soap and clean water. You can also use a microfiber cloth to dry the car to avoid scratches.

 

It's recommended not to let rainwater dry on its own. If left as is, the car can become dirty and develop white stains.

 

6. Use silicone spray

To maintain and moisturize the rubber parts on your car's windows and doors, you can utilize silicone spray. It's important to note that silicone spray also contains silica molecules, which play a role in protecting certain exterior components from damage during the rainy season. By using silicone spray, your car's glass and rubber parts can remain durable and flexible even when continuously exposed to heat and rain.

 

7. Use a car cover

Another way to care for your car during the rainy season is by using a car cover. If your car is parked in an open area without a roof, use a car cover to avoid rainwater droplets and dust that can damage the car's paint. Make sure to choose a car cover made of high-quality material because low-quality covers can harm the vehicle's paint.

 

Additionally, it's important to note that car paint can also be damaged if the vehicle is covered for too long. Therefore, after the rain stops, promptly remove the car cover from the vehicle. Afterward, wash and dry the car thoroughly.

 

8. Park in a dry area

When the rainy season arrives, it's advisable to avoid parking the car in damp areas with insufficient air circulation. Such conditions can increase the risk of rust and mold growth. To prevent these issues, park the vehicle in a dry place with good air circulation.

 

9. Keep the car mats dry

When it rains, drivers and passengers often enter the car with wet footwear. This can lead to mold growth and create an unpleasant odor inside the vehicle.

 

To address this issue, you can place old newspapers on the car mats. Newspapers are easy to replace, so when they become dirty and wet, you won't have trouble replacing them daily. Additionally, clean the car mats regularly. By doing this, you can ensure the mats remain clean and dry, reducing the risk of mold growth and unpleasant odors inside the car.

That concludes the information we have provided about caring for your car during the rainy season. If you're looking for a vehicle that performs well when driving through puddles during the rainy season, consider using monthly car rental services and choosing a car with high ground clearance. This allows the car to navigate through puddles without damaging its components. Please contact MPMRent, we are a car rental company in Jakarta offering a variety of car types. We are ready to provide you with a vehicle that suits your needs. Feel free to contact our team for further explanations.