How to Maintain Optimal Vehicle Performance During Monsoons

India experiences monsoons from June to September yearly, transforming landscapes and daily life. Commuting often becomes a hassle due to street waterlogging, while vehicle damage becomes an unavoidable aspect of the season. Thus, it becomes crucial to look after them during the rainy season to maintain their safety and performance. 

Some expensive vehicle components like engines, batteries, and brakes are most affected during monsoons. However, regular vehicle maintenance and proactive care can help you easily navigate the challenging season. Here are a few monsoon car care tips for maintaining optimal vehicle performance:

Maintain fluid levels:

Important vehicle fluids like engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid should be checked regularly for their levels. It is important to ensure that they are clean, at appropriate levels and there are no leakages. If the fluids are dirty, they must be replaced immediately to ensure the vehicle functions smoothly. Caltex India offers a range of lubricants for all vehicle types, formulated for optimal vehicle performance during extreme conditions such as heavy rains and humidity. The company’s Havoline and Delo range of engine oils caters to all the needs of cars, SUVs, buses, and motorbikes.

Inspect the engine at regular intervals:

One of the most important components of combustion and hybrid vehicles is that an engine should be inspected regularly throughout the year. During the rainy season, you must ensure that all seals and gaskets in this component are intact so that water does not enter the engine compartment. An engine’s air filter should also be cleaned or replaced as needed.

Maintain battery and electricals:

Battery issues in a vehicle could leave you stranded on a rainy day, and hours of waiting would follow. A proactive vehicle inspection routine will save you the trouble. Ensure that the battery's terminals are clean and corrosion-free to avoid any electrical issues. You can also get the battery tested to check if it holds a charge properly, especially if it's getting older. This way, you could ensure a smoothly functioning vehicle during monsoons.

Check brakes and brake pads:

Your safety is paramount, and thus, a vehicle’s brakes need to be in good shape. You should get the brake fluid levels, brake lines, and brake pads checked by a professional to ensure everything is under control. Worn-out brake pads could lower braking efficiency, especially during wet conditions.

Choosing the right solutions makes a big difference when it comes to the best engine oil for a car, and for maintaining optimal performance of your vehicle during monsoons, Caltex is the perfect choice. For rainy conditions, it is generally recommended to use synthetic oils with viscosity ratings such as 5W-30 or 10W-40 as they offer better lubrication. Oils with multigrade ratings like 10W-30 or 5W-40 also perform well under various temperatures. Caltex India offers a range of synthetic lubricants with different viscosity ratings for all vehicle types under its sub-brands - Havoline and Delo. The superior quality of these lubricants will protect the engine from water contamination and maintain their performance in humid temperatures. These lubricants are available across India through a partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).