As monsoon season returns, is your car ready?

Jason Dickman | The New Mexican

8/6/2008 - 8/7/08

Well, it looks like monsoon season has finally arrived in earnest. Most of us are ready for it, but how about your car? Here are some tips for preparing your car for the wet weather.

Check the wipers: Worn or peeling wiper blades can drastically reduce visibility. Wiper inserts or replacement blades are easy to install. Note: Take caution when replacing the blades. When the wiper blade is removed, the spring-loaded arm can fall, and it will crack the windshield. It is a good habit to carefully set the arm down on the glass when the wiper is removed.

Wax the car: To help keep the paint in good condition, it is necessary to wax your car every few months. The wax should be a good brand with carnauba and a polymer sealant. If the car is not beading off rainwater, it is overdue for a fresh coat of wax.

Apply Rain-X: This is a product I really believe in. It is basically a wax for the windshield. It does an amazing job of beading up rain to increase visibility.

Check your tires: Having good tires with the correct tread depth allows for adequate traction and water-channeling capabilities. Good tires have a tread depth greater than 3/32 inch — the penny test is a quick way to check. Less than that and a tire cannot channel enough water, leading to hydroplaning.

Use the A/C to clear fog: With the added humidity in the air, the windows tend to fog up more. The best solution is to turn on the A/C to de-humidify the air.

And two more to get you through:

• If you notice wet floormats after a good rain, and it doesn't seem to be from your feet, it could be a leaking door seal, sunroof drain or plugged A/C drain. You will want to get it checked to prevent mildew or corrosion.

• The water on the road means water on the brakes. As you can imagine, water actually reduces a vehicle's braking ability. Higher-end cars sense the rain and lightly apply the brakes to wipe/burn the moisture off. For cars without this option, the same thing can be done by lightly applying the brakes for a few seconds every couple of miles.

Jason Dickman is an ASE Advanced Master Technician and works at Santa Fe BMW. E-mail drive@sfnewmexican.com.