Essential Monsoon Driving Safety Tips

While monsoon driving is necessary during Malaysia’s rainy season, it can pose several safety risks to both you and your vehicle. To ensure that your driving in rain is trouble-free, this article offers practical advice on how to best prepare for monsoon driving, car care tips for rainy seasons, heavy rain safety precautions and more.

Strong winds and heavy downpours are common during Malaysia’s Northeast monsoons. This means that if you live in the east coast of the Malaysia Peninsula, Borneo, or are heading towards the area, there is a high chance of you encountering a monsoon.

To best prepare for monsoons and monsoon driving, we recommend that you study your driving routes, check the weather forecast, and complete an inspection of your vehicle to ensure that all of your car parts and systems are in their best condition.

Inspect your tyres

Your tyres are one of the most crucial components in your vehicle when it comes to driving in rain. Driving on wet roads already comes with increased risks for aquaplaning and roadside accidents from potential loss of vehicle handling, steering control, and reduced traction.

On the streets of Malaysia where flooding often occurs during the months of heavy monsoon rains, quality rain tyres such as Michelin Primacy 5 and Michelin Energy XM2+ are highly recommended for superior grip and enhanced handling.

Having good quality tyres alone does not guarantee maximum safety when driving in rain. Your tyres should be properly inflated and have the appropriate tread depth to be able to maintain consistent contact with the road surface. Visit your nearest Michelin dealerships for tyre inspection, replacement, or find the best rain tyres for you.

Check your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals

To increase your visibility during monsoon driving, ensure your headlights and brake lights ensure optimal illumination, and turn signals for effective communication with other drivers and pedestrians on the roads.

You can inspect the quality of your headlights and brake lights by turning them on when you are parked in a safe space. For turn signals, it is equally important to test how fast your turn signals flash.

Test your windshield wipers

Your windshield wipers also play a vital role in maintaining your visibility level when driving in adverse weather conditions. You can look for visual damages like cracks, chips, or scratches on your windshield wipers and their blades.

A thorough check of your windshield wipers can help you spot any loose seals, discolouration, water leakages, or molding where your windshield wipers meet the edge of your vehicle. Sometimes, you may even sense musty odours or hear a squeaky noise when your windshield wipers are in action. If this happens, we recommend that you replace your windshield wipers with new ones.

Many Malaysian locals start preparing for the monsoon season as early as April and October where signs of the monsoon become more visible to minimise the effects on their daily activities.

Tips for driving in rain at night

Driving in the rain at night is often advised against for safety reasons, especially during heavy monsoon seasons. However, if you must drive in heavy rain, we recommend that you follow these tips closely.

Proactive car maintenance is crucial for safety and longevity of your car. Here are several maintenance recommendations that will keep your vehicle in prime condition throughout the monsoon season.

Check your battery

During the rainy season, the electric system in your car works harder than usual. The frequent use of windshield wipers and headlights put a lot of strain on your battery. This increased load can potentially lead to battery failure, leaving you stranded in the storm.

We recommend that you check your battery terminals for corrosion as they can pose potential electrical problems to your car. While you can clean your battery with a wire brush and a mixture of water and baking soda, having your car battery health checked at a local workshop is a good practice to keep your battery voltage at the correct level.

Ensure proper sealing of your doors and windows

The rubber seals prevent water leaks around your car doors, windows, and boot. Constantly cleaning your car seals can prevent water from entering the inside of your car which can potentially lead to foggy windows and the formation of mold inside your car.

With a damped cloth, remove dirt and grimes from your rubber seals before applying a seal conditioner or silicone spray to extend their lifespan. You can also check for the hardening, cracking, and tearing of rubber seals by moving your fingers along the seams to feel for any texture inconsistencies.

Wash your car regularly

When you bring your car out during the monsoon season, it is essential to wash it on a regular basis. Driving during rain can bring about mud and grimes that trap moisture against the surface of your car and encourage rust and corrosion. Constantly washing your car prevents the build-up of corrosive materials.

It is equally important to make light cleaning a regular part of your car wash routine. This simple car care practice can remove haze from your headlights, tail lights, brakelights, and turning lights and ensure that they stay bright for maximum visibility on the road.

Find the best rain tyres for your car in our tyre catalog.