The short answer
In the monsoon, the biggest risks are slippery surfaces, rising water and landslides. Check the weather and local conditions, leave much more room to stop, never cross flooded roads or fast water, and clean the car properly afterward.
Do
- Check weather and road closures before you go
- Slow down and leave far more stopping room
- Use 4H on slippery clay and gravel
- Keep wipers, washers and lights in good order
- Wash and dry the car afterward
Do not
- Cross flooded roads or fast water
- Park beside streams or under slopes
- Drive ghat roads at night in heavy rain
- Ignore landslide and closure warnings
- Leave mud packed on the car
Hazards to expect
| Hazard | What to do |
|---|---|
| Slippery clay and red soil | Slow down, use 4H, keep inputs gentle and avoid hard braking. |
| Swollen streams and flooded roads | Do not cross if you cannot see the bottom or the water is moving. See the water crossings guide. |
| Landslides and rockfall | Stay alert on cuttings, do not stop under slopes, and turn back if there is debris or active slides. |
| Fog and heavy rain | Slow down, use the correct lights, and give yourself more following distance. |
| Fallen trees and potholes | Water hides potholes. Slow down, and leave room around puddles on tarred roads. |
Mountain and forest roads can close. Check current advisories from the local authorities, and be ready to turn back.
Driving on wet ground
- Use 4H on slippery surfaces, and 4L only for slow, steep or technical ground. See the low-range guide.
- Keep inputs smooth. Wet clay punishes sudden steering, braking and throttle.
- Leave far more room. Stopping distances grow a lot on wet ground.
- Keep a little pressure in the tires. See the tire pressures guide.
- Look for the firmer line, but do not follow ruts you cannot judge.
Visibility and the car
- Check the wipers, washer fluid and demisters before you go
- Keep the lights clean and the correct beams in use
- Do not trust a snorkel or good ground clearance to make a deep crossing safe
- Fog on the inside of the glass: use the demister and a little fresh air
Cleaning and rust
Mud holds moisture against the frame and the brakes, and the monsoon is humid. After a wet trip, wash the underbody and the radiator, dry the brakes with gentle braking, check the diff and transfer case oil for a milky look, and treat any scratched steel. Check for leaks and loose fittings while the car is clean.
Pick your problem
Tap what you are facing to see the sensible response.
Tap a problem (6 to try)
The call for Heavy rain on a ghat road
- The call
- -
- Why
- -
Common mistakes
- Crossing flooded roads. Depth and current are hidden.
- Trusting ground clearance. A Jimny is still light and easily swept away.
- Driving ghat roads at night in heavy rain. Visibility and landslide risk peak.
- Parking under slopes or beside streams. Both can fail without warning.
- Ignoring closures. A closed road is closed for a reason.
- Leaving mud on the car. It causes rust and hides damage.
A final word. Monsoon conditions can kill. This guide is general information, not a forecast. Follow local advisories and closures, turn back when unsure, and never take a risk with water or landslides.