Your monsoon season car care checklist
Monsoon season is the most dramatic stretch of the Arizona driving year. One afternoon it is 112 degrees and clear, the next a wall of dust rolls across the valley followed by a downpour that turns every road into a river. Your car takes a beating, and a little preparation goes a long way.
Before the first storm
Early June is the best time to get ready. A few small tasks now can prevent headaches later.
- Replace wiper blades. Summer heat cracks rubber fast, and you only find out when you need them most.
- Apply a glass treatment like Rain Guard so water beads and clears at speed.
- Top up washer fluid with a bug and grime formula.
- Check tire tread. Standing water on the 101 and I-17 punishes worn tires.
- Wax or seal your paint so mud rain has a harder time bonding.
Understand mud rain
When a storm follows a dust event, rain falls through dust in the air and lands on your car as dirty, mineral-rich droplets. As the sun comes back out, those droplets dry into spots that can etch clear coat if left for days.
The fix is simple: wash within a day or two of a storm. A spot-free rinse matters here, because rinsing with hard tap water at home can leave its own mineral spots behind.
Driving through a dust storm
Arizona's official advice is to pull aside, stay alive. If you are caught in a haboob, pull off the road as far as safely possible, turn off your lights, set the parking brake and take your foot off the brake pedal so other drivers do not follow your taillights.
Afterward, do not wipe your windshield dry. Use washer fluid generously or wait for a proper wash. Dry wiping drags grit across glass and can leave permanent scratches.
Flooded roads and your undercarriage
Never drive through flooded washes, and obey the stupid motorist law signs. But even normal street flooding can push mud and debris into wheel wells, brake components and under trays.
An underbody flush after a heavy storm week clears out mud before it dries into a hard crust. If you drove through deep water, have your brakes checked, since wet pads and debris can reduce stopping power.
Protect the interior too
Monsoon humidity plus wet shoes can make carpets musty. Use all-weather floor mats during the season and give carpets a thorough vacuum every couple of weeks. Crack windows slightly when parked in a garage to let moisture escape.
If water gets in through a sunroof or door seal, dry it quickly. Mold grows fast in a hot, closed car.
The monsoon wash routine we recommend
During storm season our crew recommends a routine that keeps protection fresh without adding much time to your week:
- Wash within 48 hours after any storm, choosing a package with Rain Guard Glass.
- Reapply wax or ceramic protection every one to two weeks.
- Add an underbody flush after any storm that floods your street.
- Keep a microfiber towel in the car for mirrors and headlights, never for dry dusty glass.
Keep it clean all month
Unlimited washes from $19.99/mo at 5 Valley locations. Sample pricing.
