Before the monsoon, check six things on your car: wipers and washer fluid, tyre tread and pressure, brakes, the battery and its terminals, all exterior lights, and the rubber door and boot seals. Then drive more slowly than usual on wet hill roads and leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front. Most monsoon breakdowns are not dramatic. They come from worn wiper blades, bald tyres, a tired battery or a quietly leaking seal, all of which can be found in an hour with a torch and a little patience.
Why the wet season is hard on cars in the Sahyadris
Lonavala is one of the wettest towns in Maharashtra, and nearly all of its rain falls between June and September. Published annual averages vary by source, from roughly two metres to over four, and individual events can be far more extreme: in early July 2026 the town recorded about 670 mm of rain in 24 hours, with landslides in the Bhor Ghat section and disruption to the expressway. A car that is perfectly healthy on a dry weekend in February can struggle here for three reasons: water on the road, water getting into places it should not, and traffic that crawls for hours. For flooding itself, see the guide on stalled cars in floodwater.
Pre-monsoon inspection table
| Item | What to check | Replace or act when |
|---|---|---|
| Wiper blades | Run them on a wet screen. Look for smears, juddering, split rubber | They streak, chatter or leave bands of water. Blades are usually inexpensive and quick to change |
| Washer fluid and jets | Fill the reservoir, test the spray pattern | Jets are blocked or weak |
| Tyres | Tread depth, uneven wear, cracks, pressure including the spare | Tread reaches the wear bars (about 1.6 mm), the sidewall bulges or cracks, or pressure keeps dropping |
| Brakes | Squealing, long pedal, pulling to one side | Pads are thin, discs are rusted or grooved, or the fluid is overdue |
| Battery | Slow cranking, corroded terminals, battery age | Terminals need cleaning, or the battery is several years old and starting weakly |
| Lights | Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazards, fog lamps | Any bulb is out, or headlight lenses are cloudy enough to cut the beam |
| Door, boot and sunroof seals | Look for gaps, hardening and damp patches inside | Water marks appear on floor mats, or the cabin smells damp |
| Sunroof and drain channels | Clear leaves and dirt from drains | Water drips inside |
| Underbody | Look for loose undertrays and rust spots | Anything hangs low or rattles |
| Air conditioning and demister | Check that it clears a misted screen quickly | The screen stays foggy |
Tyres matter most
On a wet road, a tyre has to push water out of its grooves to keep gripping. Tyres with little tread cannot do this, and at higher speeds a film of water builds beneath them. This is aquaplaning, and it feels like the steering suddenly going light. Check the pressure when the tyres are cold and set it to the figure on the sticker inside the door or fuel flap, not to the number on the tyre's sidewall. If you are about to take a hill road, also look at the flat tyre guide and make sure your spare and jack are in order.
Driving habits for wet hill roads
- Slow down before curves, not in them. Braking while turning on a wet surface is when cars slide.
- Double your following distance. Wet roads need much longer to stop, and heavy trucks throw up spray.
- Use dipped headlights in rain and mist, and fog lamps only if visibility is really poor. Hazard lights while moving confuse other drivers.
- Avoid puddles you cannot see the bottom of. Potholes on hill roads can be deep and hide behind water.
- Do not drive through moving water. Even shallow, fast water can push a car sideways.
- Stay in gear on descents. The ghat advice in the ghat driving guide matters even more when the surface is slick.
After the drive
Wet brakes can feel weak for the first few applications, so test them gently after leaving a deep puddle or a car wash. At home, wipe damp mats, run the air conditioning for a few minutes with recirculation off to dry the cabin, and clear leaves and silt from the base of the windscreen where the drains are. A musty smell in the first week of the wet season is a sign that moisture is sitting somewhere, often under the carpet or in a boot lining. Dry it before it starts to rust metal or to short out electrics.
If the car stands for long periods in the rainy season, start it every few days and let it run for ten to fifteen minutes. A battery that is rarely used can go flat, and the checks for a car that will not start explain what to look at if that happens.
Be ready for road closures and delays
Heavy rain can close sections of road at short notice. Check the IMD's weather warnings on the India Meteorological Department's Pune centre and local traffic updates before you set out, keep a charged phone and some water in the car, and allow extra time. Water, snacks and a torch are worth carrying on any hill drive in the wet season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I check my car for the monsoon?
Ideally in May or early June, before the first heavy rain. Check wipers, tyres, brakes, battery, lights and seals, and fix whatever is worn.
Are worn wipers really a safety problem?
Yes. Streaky or juddering blades cut visibility just when you need it most. They are inexpensive and easy to replace, so do not wait for a downpour to find out.
What tyre pressure should I use in the rain?
Use the pressure recommended on the sticker in the car, checked when the tyres are cold. Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres both reduce grip.
Why does my car smell damp after rain?
Moisture is trapped somewhere, often under mats or carpet after wet shoes, or from a leaking seal or blocked drain. Dry it, find the source, and fix it before mould or corrosion sets in.
Is it safe to drive through a flooded road if other cars are doing it?
No. Water depth is hard to judge and the road beneath may be damaged. If you cannot see the road surface, turn back or wait.